Cats: Issues/Challenges for the Future

Urban Land Institute MeetingSpring 2012

John Muth, PECATS Deputy Director

May 9, 2012

Issues/Challenges for the Future

City of Charlotte

2025 Transit / Land Use Plan

Regional Approach

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

Investing in a Vision

1998 2010

0

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

25,000,000

30,000,000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Ann

ual R

ider

ship

Fiscal Year

All Services

Rail

RideShareServices

Human ServicesTransportation

Activity CenterCirculators

CommunityCirculator

Regional Express

Local and ExpressServices

Historical Ridership by Service Type

City of Charlotte

Implementation Plan (2006)

City of Charlotte

ECONOMIC IMPACT ON TRANSIT SALES & USE TAX

$70.2 $85.0  $95.0 

$106.3 $125.7 

$148.6 $175.8 

$207.9 

$260.0 

$325.1 

$70.4 $57.4  $59.0 

$64.5 $73.6 

$84.0 $95.8 

$109.3 $130.4 

$162.5 

$0.0 

$50.0 

$100.0 

$150.0 

$200.0 

$250.0 

$300.0 

$350.0 

$400.0 20

0720

0820

0920

1020

1120

1220

1320

1420

1520

1620

1720

1820

1920

2020

2120

2220

2320

2420

2520

2620

2720

2820

2920

3020

3120

3220

3320

3420

35

Sales Tax Gap FY2007‐FY2035 

2006 System Plan

Current Forecast 

FY2007 ‐ FY2035TotalGap = $2.3 Billion

City of Charlotte

Implementation Plan (2012)

Complete 2017

Post 2035

Opened 2007

Post 2035

Post 2035

Post 2035

Post 2035

Post 2035

Post 2035

2018 ??2018 ??

Post 2035

City of Charlotte

• 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– Convert to Streetcar in future

Approved by MTC November 2006

2030 Transit Plan (Current Status)

City of Charlotte

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 frequencyo Rush hour: 10 minuteso Non-rush hour: 15 minutes

• Bus/rail integrationo 20 new and modified routes

• 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

LYNX BLUE LINE EXTENSION

City of Charlotte

Charlotte Observer

City of Charlotte

• 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

Charlotte Streetcar

City of Charlotte

Presbyterian Hospital to Charlotte Transportation Center

STREETCAR STARTER PROJECT

City of Charlotte

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 mediano Express bus in mediano Evaluate non-median rail

alternatives in overall corridor

City of Charlotte

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

Big Picture -Think & Plan Regionally

• What will 2050 Plan look like?

• How will it be funded?

• Counties in Air Quality regionnow have HB 148 authorityto enact ¼ percent sales tax

• Accelerate rapid transit corridors?

• Rapid transit to adjacent counties?• Commuter Rail • Light Rail extensions

City of Charlotte

Thank You