The document discusses transportation challenges and plans for the Charlotte region through 2035. It outlines plans to expand the rapid transit system along 5 corridors to provide more mobility options. While some projects like the LYNX Blue Line have been successful, funding shortfalls remain an issue. The region must continue long-term planning to envision the 2050 system and address challenges like incorporating rapid transit across county lines.

1. Issues/Challenges for the Future
Urban Land Institute Meeting
Spring 2012
John Muth, PE
CATS Deputy Director
May 9, 2012

2. Regional Approach
2025 Transit / Land Use Plan
 Vision for a long-term growth
management strategy for Charlotte-
Mecklenburg
 Integrates rapid transit and mixed-used
development along 5 transportation
corridors
 Expands transit system to serve between
the rapid transit corridors
 Provide more transportation choices to
meet mobility needs
 Support sustainable growth for region
City of Charlotte

3. Investing in a Vision
1998 2010
City of Charlotte

4. Historical Ridership by Service Type
30,000,000
All Services
25,000,000
Rail
Annual Ridership
20,000,000 RideShare
Services
Human Services
15,000,000 Transportation
Activity Center
Circulators
10,000,000 Community
Circulator
Regional Express
5,000,000
Local and Express
Services
0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Fiscal Year

5. Implementation Plan (2006)
City of Charlotte

6. ECONOMIC IMPACT ON TRANSIT
SALES & USE TAX
Sales Tax Gap FY2007‐FY2035
$400.0
$350.0 FY2007 ‐ FY2035
Total Gap = $2.3 Billion $325.1
$300.0
$260.0
$250.0
$200.0 $207.9
$175.8
$162.5
$150.0 $148.6
$125.7 $130.4
$106.3 $109.3
$100.0 $95.0 $95.8
$85.0 $84.0
$70.2 $73.6 2006 System Plan
$50.0 $70.4 $64.5
$57.4 $59.0
Current Forecast
$0.0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
City of Charlotte

7. Implementation Plan (2012)
Opened 2007
2018 ??
2018 ??
Complete 2017
Post 2035
Post 2035
Post 2035
Post 2035
Post 2035
Post 2035
Post 2035
Post 2035
City of Charlotte

8. 2030 Transit Plan (Current Status)
• LYNX Blue Line (LRT)
– FTA considers very successful
– Needs capacity for 3-car trains
• Blue Line Extension (LRT)
– Strong New Starts project
– Ready to enter Final Design
• Red Line (Commuter Rail)
– Tracks and crossings at 90% design
– Red Line Task Force
• Streetcar Line (Modern)
– City of Charlotte funding PE
– Phase 1 funded by Urban Circulator
Grant
• Silver Line (LRT or BRT)
– ULI Study
– Evaluate rail alternatives
• West Corridor
– Enhanced Bus Service started in 2009 Approved by MTC November 2006
– Convert to Streetcar in future
City of Charlotte

9. LYNX Blue Line Characteristics
• Opened November 2007 - $463M
• Uptown Charlotte to I-485/South
Blvd - 9.6 mi.
• 15 stations (7 park and rides)
• 7 days a week
o 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
• Service frequency
o Rush hour: 10 minutes
o Non-rush hour: 15 minutes
• Bus/rail integration
o 20 new and modified routes
City of Charlotte

10. LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION
• LYNX Light Rail Extension
- +9.4 miles
- Implementation in 2017
- +25,000 daily riders
- improvements to Tryon Street
• FTA Approved Project
• MTC direction
• reduce capital cost by 20%
• reduce annual O&M by 6%
• Goals achieved
• project shortened by 1.1 mile
• now ends at UNCC
• 7.5 / 10 minute headways
• Parking decks at JW Clay and
University City Boulevard
• 18 LRVs

11. Charlotte Observer
City of Charlotte

12. Charlotte Streetcar
• Rosa Parks Place to Eastland
• Serves many travel markets
• Catalyst for development
• PE funded by City of Charlotte
• Federal grant for 1.5 mile starter project
• Operations to be funded by City
City of Charlotte

13. STREETCAR STARTER PROJECT
Presbyterian Hospital to Charlotte Transportation Center
City of Charlotte

14. LYNX Silver Line
• 13.5 Mile Bus Rapid Transit
(BRT) Line to Matthews
• 2006 MTC Special Provisions:
o BRT implementation delayed
five years to revisit light rail
transit (LRT) option
o Extend busway and preserve
ROW for BRT or LRT
• ULI Study during 2011
• Recommendations
o HOV/HOT lanes in median
o Express bus in median
o Evaluate non-median rail
alternatives in overall corridor
City of Charlotte

15. West Corridor
2025 System Plan (2002)
• Bus Rapid Transit
• Light rail not FTA cost-effective
2030 System Plan (2006)
• Streetcar extension– post 2030
• Light rail not FTA cost-effective
2035 System Plan
• Light Rail in Wilkinson Blvd.??
• Re-evaluate cost-effectiveness in light of Blue Line success
City of Charlotte

16. Big Picture -Think & Plan Regionally
• What will 2050 Plan look like?
• How will it be funded?
• Counties in Air Quality region
now have HB 148 authority
to enact ¼ percent sales tax
• Accelerate rapid transit corridors?
• Rapid transit to adjacent counties?
• Commuter Rail
• Light Rail extensions
City of Charlotte

17. Thank You
City of Charlotte