Charlotte Area Transit System
CATS Title VI Program Update 2014
(Revision 1)
Prepared by: Arlanda Rouse
Civil Rights Officer
Charlotte Area Transit System
arouse@charlottenc.gov
704-432-2566
Table of Contents
.................................................................................................................................................................... 1
to the Public: Title VI Policy Statement...................................................................................................... 2
of Notice to Public .................................................................................................................................. 3
VI Complaint Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 4
of Title VI Investigations, Complaints, or Lawsuits ..................................................................................... 5
.
Active service related lawsuits......................................................................................................... 5
.
Active service related complaints .................................................................................................... 5
.
Active lawsuits alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin .................... 5
.
Active complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin ............... 5
.
Summary of investigations, complaints, or lawsuits ....................................................................... 5
Outreach ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Assistance Plan ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Formal Committees and membership demographics ................................................................................. 8
1: Demographics of CATS Committees ................................................................................................... 8
2: Demographics of CATS LEP Committee............................................................................................... 8
3: Demographics of CATS CTAG Board Members .................................................................................. 9
4: Demographics of CATS TSAC Board Members ................................................................................... 9
5: Demographics of CATS TFWG Members .......................................................................................... 10
Service Standards ....................................................................................................................................... 11
of Monitoring Program ............................................................................................................................. 12
A: Title VI Complaint Procedures ............................................................................................................. 13
VI Policy Statement ............................................................................................................................... 14
VI Complaint Form..................................................................................................................................... 20
B: Public Participation .............................................................................................................................. 35
Involvement Summary: Blue Line Extension Light Rail Project- Northeast Corridor ............................ 37
Involvement Summary: Neighborhood/Community Outreach ............................................................ 37
Demographics ...................................................................................................................................... 40
C: Service Standards................................................................................................................................. 45
Standards .................................................................................................................................................. 54
Load by Mode ....................................................................................................................................... 54
1: Local Services Non-Minority Routes................................................................................................. 54
2: Local Service Minority Routes ........................................................................................................... 55
3: Local Non-Minority Routes............................................................................................................... 56
4: Express Service: Non-Minority Route Load Factor .......................................................................... 57
5: Express Service Minority Route Load Factor .................................................................................... 57
6: :LYNX Load Factor ............................................................................................................................. 58
Headway for each mode ....................................................................................................................... 58
7: Weekday Route Frequency- Minority Tract Routes ......................................................................... 58
8: Weekday Route Frequency- Non-Minority Tract Routes ................................................................. 59
7: Saturday Route Frequency- Minority Tract Routes .......................................................................... 60
9: Saturday Route Frequency- Non-Minority Tract Routes .................................................................. 62
10: Sunday Route Frequency- Minority Tract Routes .......................................................................... 62
11: Sunday Route Frequency- Non-Minority Tract Routes .................................................................. 64
time performance for each mode.......................................................................................................... 64
Availability ............................................................................................................................................. 67
Amenities .............................................................................................................................................. 67
12: Amenities Figures ........................................................................................................................... 67
1: Locations of CATS Transit Amenities ................................................................................................ 68
Assignment............................................................................................................................................ 69
and Service profile maps and charts. ................................................................................................... 70
13: System-wide demographics ........................................................................................................... 70
2: Service Area Map Low Income and LEP Populations ....................................................................... 71
14: Low Income Population .................................................................................................................. 72
15: Hispanic Population Group............................................................................................................. 72
3: Service Area Map Employment Centers............................................................................................ 73
Ridership and Travel Pattern, collected by Surveys ............................................................................. 75
D: Results of Monitoring Program ........................................................................................................... 79
1: MTC Resolution Adopting 2014 Title VI Program............................................................................. 80
Service Change Policy............................................................................................................................ 82
OR FARE MEDIA CHANGES .............................................................................................................. 84
Engagement Process: Major Service Change Policy, Disparate Impact Policy, and disproportionate
burden policy .......................................................................................................................................... 88
of service and/or fare equity analysis conducted since the last Title VI Program submission: ........... 97
Fare Equity Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 122
.................................................................................................................................................................. 124
FARE POLICY ......................................................................................................................................... 142
C: PUBLIC INPUT- CUSTOMER SERVICES AND HEARING COMMENTARY. ........................................... 149
Comments 2014 Fare Increase................................................................................................................ 151
D: LIST OF DISCOUNTED FARE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS JULY 1, 2012- JUNE 30, 2013. ................. 196
City Lynx Gold Line Service Equity Analysis.............................................................................................. 198
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 201
.1
Project Background ...................................................................................................................... 202
.1.1
Stations................................................................................................................................ 202
.1.2
Operating Plan..................................................................................................................... 202
.1.3
CityLYNX Gold Line .............................................................................................................. 202
Public INVOLVEMENT........................................................................................................................ 202
.1
Countywide Transit Services Plan ................................................................................................ 202
.1.1
Countywide Transit Services Plan Public Involvement ....................................................... 203
.2
Countywide Transit Services Plan Public Comment .................................................................... 204
.3
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Combined Communications Strategy......................................... 205
.3.1
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Public Comment ................................................................ 205
SERVICE EQUITY ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................... 206
.1
Legal and Regulatory Context ...................................................................................................... 206
.1.1
Title VI Guidance and References ....................................................................................... 206
.2
Datasets ....................................................................................................................................... 206
.3
Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 206
.4
Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 207
.4.1
.5
Service Area......................................................................................................................... 207
Data Calculations ......................................................................................................................... 207
.5.1
Demographic Data............................................................................................................... 207
EXISTING CONDITIONS ...................................................................................................................... 208
.1
Route Level Demographic Data ................................................................................................... 208
.2
Demographics .............................................................................................................................. 208
.3
Gold Rush Red Line Service Characteristics ................................................................................. 208
SERVICE EQUITY ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................ 209
.1
Description of Route Changes...................................................................................................... 209
.2
Route Level Analysis .................................................................................................................... 209
.3
Demographics .............................................................................................................................. 209
.4
Frequency/Headways .................................................................................................................. 209
.5
Ridership ...................................................................................................................................... 210
.6
Span of Service ............................................................................................................................. 210
.7
Travel Time Analysis..................................................................................................................... 210
.8
Stop Spacing, Location, and Amenities ........................................................................................ 211
.9
Vehicle Capacity ........................................................................................................................... 211
MITIGATION ...................................................................................................................................... 211
.1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 212
.2 ........................................................................................................................................................... 213
.3 ........................................................................................................................................................... 215
.4 ........................................................................................................................................................... 215
.5 ........................................................................................................................................................... 218
.6 ........................................................................................................................................................... 218
.7 ........................................................................................................................................................... 220
.8 ........................................................................................................................................................... 220
.9 ........................................................................................................................................................... 223
.10 ......................................................................................................................................................... 223
.11 ......................................................................................................................................................... 226
.12 ......................................................................................................................................................... 226
Introduction
In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1B dated
October 2012, the Charlotte Area Transit Authority (CATS) has developed a Title VI plan. The plan
reflects CATS commitment to deliver transit service with equal access, and equitable delivery of assets
throughout the community.
The following links outline the guidance for this document and all CATS Title VI responsibilities and
program requirements.
FTA C 4702.1B “Title VI and Title VI-Dependent Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients”
http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_Title_VI_FINAL.pdf
The CATS CEO is ultimately responsible for the overall implementation, administration, and monitoring
of the CATS Title VI program. The CEO has delegated the responsibility of the program to the CATS Civil
Rights Officer. The CATS Civil Rights Department is responsible for various Civil Rights Programs and
activities that include Title VI, EEO/Affirmative Action, Disadvantage Business Enterprise, Small Business
Enterprise, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Contractual Compliance, and Environmental Justice
requirements.
The Civil Rights Officer is therefore responsible for ensuring that CATS adheres to all applicable
regulations and laws in relation to the Title VI plan. He provides oversight to the program, and updates
and provides assurances to the FTA of compliance and communications status of information to the
CATS CEO, which is accomplished through continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive review and
monitoring of CATS’ policies, procedures, practices, compliance findings, planning process, and
programs.
1
Notice to the Public: Title VI Policy Statement
The following notice to the public is available in both English and Spanish on the CATS website as well as
posted throughout the CATS Service area. The website translates into 50 plus languages via the Google
Translate function located on the top left corner of each page. The locations include the City of Charlotte
Government Center, CATS buses, trains, transit facilities and rail stations:
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) firmly believes that how CATS treats people –
whether employees or the general public whom we assist with transportation needs – is a
reflection of how CATS accepts its responsibility to provide an essential service designed to
enhance the quality of life for Charlotte area residents and visitors.
It is the policy of CATS to fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as
amended, which requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin,
or language of origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be
otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program or activity which is federally funded.
Prohibited practices include, but are not limited to:
•
•
•
Denying a person any service or benefit because of race, color, national origin, or
language of origin.
Providing a different service or benefit, or providing services or benefits in a different
manner because of race, color, national origin, or language of origin.
Locating facilities in any way that would limit or impede access to a federally funded
service or benefit.
The Environmental Justice component of Title VI guarantees fair treatment for people of all
races, cultures, languages and incomes regarding the development of environmental justice
laws, regulations and policies. Under Title VI, FTA Circular 4702.1B, and FTA Circular
4703.1, CATS must:
• Ensure involvement of low-income, minority, and Limited English Proficient (LEP)
groups in the decision making process (public involvement).
• Safeguard low-income, minority, and LEP groups against disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental impacts of its programs, policies, and
activities.
• Ensure low-income, minority, and LEP groups receive their fair share of benefits.
CATS Civil Rights Officer is responsible for initiating and monitoring Title VI activities,
preparing required reports and ensuring that CATS adheres to other compliance
responsibilities as required by applicable regulations.
Where federal funds are involved, CATS will monitor and ensure the compliance of third
party contractors at any tier and each sub-recipient at any tier under the project with all
requirements prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, and will
include non-discrimination language in all written agreements.
Any person that would like to request more information regarding CATS civil rights
programs, CATS Title VI obligations, or who believes they have been aggrieved by any
unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI, may contact or file a formal complaint directly
with:
•
CATS, via:
o
o
o
o
telephone at (704) 336-RIDE(7433) TDD: 704-336-5051
internet at www.ridetransit.org
e-mail at telltransit@charlottenc.gov
U.S. mail at ATTN: CATS Civil Rights Officer, 600 East Fourth Street,
Charlotte, NC 28202
•
City of Charlotte Human Resources Department, 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte,
NC 28202
•
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil
Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200
New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590
It is the policy of CATS to provide written translation of vital documents in compliance with
the FTA Circular 4702.1B Safe Harbor Provision found at Chapter III, Section 10 of the
Circular.
Another Language? www.ridetransit.org has Google Translate or call 704-336-7433. ¿Otro idioma?
www.ridetransit.org tiene Google Translate o llame al 704-336-7433. Một ngôn ngữ không?
www.ridetransit.org có Google Translate hay gọi 704-336-7433. 另一种语言？ www.ridetransit.org有谷歌
翻译，或致电704-336-7433.另一種語言？ www.ridetransit.org有谷歌翻譯，或致電704-336-7433. Une
autre langue? www.ridetransit.org a Google Translate ou appelez 704-336-7433. Другой язык?
www.ridetransit.org имеет Google Translate или позвоните 704-336-7433. અન્ ભાષા?
www.ridetransit.org Google અ�ુવાદ અથવા 704-336-7433 પર ફોન કરો છે . 다른 언어? www.ridetransit.org
구글 번역 또는 704-336-7433로 전화있다. Outra Lingua? www.ridetransit.org tem Google Translate ou
ligue para 704-336-7433. Wani Language? www.ridetransit.org yana da Google Translate ko kira 704-3367433. Asụsụ ọzọ? www.ridetransit.org nwere Google Ịtụgharị ma ọ bụ na-akpọ 704-336-7433. Miran ti Ede?
www.ridetransit.org ni o ni Google sélédemírán tabi pe 704-336-7433. Luqad kale? www.ridetransit.org
ayaa Google Translate ama wac 704-336-7433
August 6, 2015
Date
John Muth
Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Transit
Locations of Notice to Public
The notice to the public shown above can be found in the following locations throughout the City of
Charlotte and along the CATS system.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CATS website .ridetransit.
Light Rail Vehicles and Buses
Bus Maintenance staff break-rooms
Customer Service/Passenger Window at the Charlotte Transportation Center
Eastland Mall Transit Center Window
HR reception S. Tryon bus maintenance facility
I-485 drivers’ break-room
Light Rail Vehicle drivers break-room
Light Rail Vehicle entrance
Rosa Parks Transit Center Break-room
Rosa Parks Transit Center window
VMF 3rd Floor Safety and Security Break-room
Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center 7-8 Floors on boards across from bathrooms.
Special Transportation Service drivers’ break-room
Title VI Complaint Procedures
The CATS Title VI Complaint Procedures also known as CATS CivR03 and copies of Complaint Forms can
be found in Appendix A of this document.
Record of Title VI Investigations, Complaints, or Lawsuits
The Department of Justice and Department of Transportation regulations implementing Title Vi require
federal agencies to collect data and other information to enforce their guidelines. In accordance with
the FTA circular 4702.1B, Chapter IV the following information is available.
1. Active service related lawsuits
a. CATS presently has no active lawsuits pending
2. Active service related complaints
a. There are currently no active service related complaints.
3. Active lawsuits alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin
a. There are no active lawsuits as of June 2014
4. Active complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national
origin
a. There are no active complaints as of June 2014
5. Summary of investigations, complaints, or lawsuits
a. There were no Title VI investigations, complaints or lawsuits from June 2011-June 2014
Public Outreach
Public involvement is a crucial part of the decision making process at CATS. The public involvement
efforts conducted in support of the 2030 Transit System Plan are intended to reflect and continue the
City of Charlotte’s well established history of performing proactive outreach programs in the community
focused on achieving public awareness and receiving input. A complete list of the public outreach
efforts for CATS from FY 2012-2014 can be found in Appendix B of this document.
Summary of Public Involvement Opportunities:
Meetings
As of June 2014, representatives from CATS Civil Rights, Executive, and Development Divisions have
participated in 100 public meetings that were attended by 3000 members of the public. These meeting
consisted of numerous large scale public meetings, workshops, public hearings, neighborhood
association meetings, conferences, civic groups.
Website
CATS maintains project specific web pages on the CATS/City of Charlotte website. The pages include
information on future light rail projects, streetcar project, and future facility projects.
Project Mailing Lists
CATS maintains a project mailing list for the use of direct mail contacts with corridor property owners,
occupants, and other stakeholders. The mailing current list, which contains approximately 8000
addresses, was obtained from the 2025 Transit Land Use Plan public involvement efforts. It has been
supplemented over the life of the projects as additional individuals, organizations, and others have
requested to be added to the list.
Methods of Advertisement
In addition to invitation mailing, CATS uses the following methods to advertise for public meeting and
workshops: Fifteen (15) area newspapers, City of Charlotte website (charmeck.org) , CATS website
(ridetransit.org), Charlotte Observer website (charlotteobserver.com), (local government cable channel
(Channel 16), City of Charlotte intranet, emails to citizens, Rider’s Alerts on vehicles, and text message
alerts.
Language Assistance Plan
The CATS Limited English Proficiency Plan can be found as a separate attachment and standalone
document. The plan includes a four factor analysis of how CATS addresses language barriers, equitable
distribution of services and equipment, as well has how CATS intends to address language barriers in the
future.
CATS Formal Committees and membership demographics
Below are tables of the various boards and committees which advise and make policy decisions for CATS
organization. The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) is CATS governing/policy making board and is
made up of elected officials. The smaller advisory committees are made of volunteers and appointed
members and the demographics of those committees are listed below.
Table 1: Demographics of CATS Committees
Body
Population
CTAG
TSAC
TFWG
Total
Caucasian
African
34
15
10
1
8
1
16
13
Latino
52
12
10
30
Body
Population
CTAG
TSAC
TFWG
Total
100%
100%
100%
100%
Caucasian
African
65%
29%
83%
8%
80%
10%
53%
43%
Latino Asian Indian Asian Pacific Native American Multi-racial
2%
2%
0%
0%
2%
8%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
10%
0%
3%
0%
0%
0%
1
1
0
0
Asian Indian Asian Pacific Native American Multi-racial
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
Note: the LEP committee that assisted with the Blue Line Extension bi-lingual signage is not included
above at they are not a formal committee but a group of volunteers.
Table 2: Demographics of CATS LEP Committee
Name
Ethnicity
Gender
Armando Bellmas
Hispanic
Male
Melina Monita-Pacheco
Hispanic
Female
Diana Rojas
White
Female
Rocio Gonzalez
Hispanic
Female
Jorge Salazar
Hispanic
Male
Title
Director of
Communications
Organization
Latin American Coalition
Levine Museum of the
New South
Client Services and Volu International House
Latin American Chamber
Dir. of Membership &
of Commerce of
Resource Development
Charlotte (LACCC)
Project Coordinator
City of Charlotte
Latino New South
Project Coordinator
Appointed
Term Expires
Request of CATS Staff
N/A.
Request of CATS Staff
N/A.
Request of CATS Staff
N/A.
Request of CATS Staff
N/A.
Request of CATS Staff
N/A.
The Citizens Transit Advisory Group (CTAG) is an advisory committee that reviews the long-range
transit system planning and proposed operating and capital programs from the community's
perspective, and makes recommendations to the MTC. While it is not a policy-making body, its
recommendations to the MTC fulfill the requirement levied by the Interlocal Agreement that the MTC
ensures public involvement in transit planning. The CTAG is made up of members of the community
appointed by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, the Charlotte City Council, each of the
six Towns in Mecklenburg County, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education. Members may
not be an elected official and members serve staggered two-year terms.
Table 3: Demographics of CATS CTAG Board Members
Name
Ethnicity
Gender
Appointed By
Term Expires
Hugh Wrigley
White
Male
Mayor appointee
6/30/2015
Rob Watson
White
Male
Mecklenburg Commissioner Roberts appointee
6/30/2015
Frank "Gus" Kretschmer
White
Male
City of Charlotte
6/30/2015
Anthony Davis
African
Male
Mecklenburg County
6/30/2016
Katherine (Kate) Payerle
White
Female
City of Charlotte
6/30/2015
Jane Dunne
White
Female
Town of Mint Hill
6/30/2015
Matt Covington
White
Male
Mecklenburg County
6/30/2015
Christy Kluesner
White
Female
Charlotte Mecklenburg School System
6/30/2015
Todd Steiss
White
Male
Town of Huntersville
6/30/2014
George Sottilo
White
Male
Town of Matthews
6/30/2014
Jennifer Braganza
Latino
Female
Town of Pineville
6/30/2016
Kenneth Carnes
White
Male
Town of Cornelius
6/30/2016
The Transit Services Advisory Committee (TSAC) reviews, makes recommendations and provides input
into short-range transit operations. The TSAC focuses on day-to-day operations of the transit service to
ensure that it meets the needs of the community. It makes recommendations to the MTC on issues
within its sphere of interest, and acts as a vehicle to promote public involvement in short-term transit
planning. The TSAC is made up of customers of the CATS and are appointed by the City of Charlotte,
Mecklenburg County, and the six Towns.
Table 4: Demographics of CATS TSAC Board Members
Name
Ethnicity
Gender
Appointed By
Term Expires
Rick Sanderson, Chairman
White
Male
City of Charlotte
1/31/2015
Christine Bryant
White
Female
Town of Huntersville
12/17/2016
Rob Cornwell
White
Female
City of Davidson
6/11/2015
D. Evans
Multi-racial
Female
Mayor of Charlotte
Walter Horstman
White
Male
Town of Matthews
1/16/2017
Scott Jernigan, Co-Chairman
White
Male
Mecklenburg County
2/3/2016
George Schaeffer
White
Male
City of Charlotte
1/31/2017
Michael Warner
White
Male
City of Charlotte
2/1/2015
Anthony Wesley
African
Male
City of Charlotte
1/31/2016
Jean Veatch
White
Female
Town of Cornelius
12/5/2015
MTC Transit Funding Working Group (TFWG) A broad based committee of local business, elected
officials and community leaders with the express purpose of concentrating on Charlotte-Mecklenburg's
long-range transit plan to identify long-term funding and financing options and make a recommendation
to the Metropolitan Transit Commission.
Table 5: Demographics of CATS TFWG Members
Name
Ethnicity
Gender
Organization By Jill Swain, Committee Co-Chair
White
Female
Mayor Huntersville - MTC Member
David Howard, Committee Co-Chair
African
Male
City of Charlotte Councilman
Hugh Allen
African
Male
Wells Fargo
Jeff Brown
White
Male
Moore & Van Allen / Former CTAG Member
Jesse Cureton
White
Male
Citizen
Ned Curran
White
Male
The Bissell Companies
Larry J. Dagenhart
White
Male
McGuire Woods
Tracy Dodson
White
Female
Cushman & Wakefield Thalhimer
Bobby Drakeford
African
Male
The Drakeford Company
Natalie English
White
Female
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
Citizen - Retired County Manager Mecklenburg County
Jerry Fox
White
Male
Matt Gallagher
White
Male
Harvey Gantt
African
Manjo Govindan
Indian
Male
Male
Malcolm Graham
African
Sammy Hicks III
African
Mary Hopper
White
Torre Jessup
African
Charlie Jeter
African
Landra Johnson
African
Anika Kahn
African
Brandon Lofton
African
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Lee Myers
Dionne Nelson
African
White
Peter Pappas
Rick Sanderson
White
White
Bertram Scott
African
Bill Thunberg
White
White
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
White
Female
Ron Tober - Retired CATS CEO
Lynn Wheeler
Gandy Development
Gantt Huberman - Former Mayor City of
Charlotte
Merrill Lynch
State Senator (D) / Johnson C. Smith
University
Integrated Capital Strategies, LLC
University City Partners
Citizen
State Representative (R)
Citizen
Wells Fargo
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson
Myers Law Firm - Former Mayor Matthews &
MTC Member
Laurel Street Residential
Pappas Properties
AECOM
CIGNA
Lake Norman Transportation Commission
Parson Brinkerhoff
Wheeler Communication Group LLC- Former
Mayor ProTem City of Charlotte
Appointed
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
(Former) Mayor Fox
CATS Service Standards
CATS service standards also known as MTC-06 are found in Appendix C of this document. Also found in
Appendix C is information on vehicle headways, loads, service availability, and amenities.
Results of Monitoring Program
The results of the monitoring program to include board transcripts, agendas, and meeting minutes can
be found in Appendix D of this document.
Appendix A: Title VI Complaint Procedures
Subject/Title:
Title VI Complaint Resolution Program
Procedure No:
CATS CivR03
Effective Date:
March 10, 2010
Revised Date:
April 3, 2014
Carolyn Flowers
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Transit
Title VI Policy Statement
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) firmly believes that how CATS treats people
– whether employees or the general public whom we assist with transportation needs –
is a reflection of how CATS accepts its responsibility to provide an essential service
designed to enhance the quality of life for Charlotte area residents and visitors.
It is the policy of CATS to fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as
amended, which requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national
origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise
subjected to discrimination in any program or activity which is federally funded.
Prohibited practices include, but are not limited to:
• Denying a person any service or benefit because of race, color, or national origin.
• Providing a different service or benefit, or providing services or benefits in a
different manner.
• Locating facilities in any way that would limit or impede access to a federally
funded service or benefit.
The Environmental Justice component of Title VI guarantees fair treatment for people of
all races, cultures, and incomes regarding the development of environmental justice
laws, regulations and policies. Under Title VI, CATS must:
• Ensure involvement of low-income and minority groups in the decision making
process (public involvement)
• Safeguard low-income and minority groups against disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental impacts of its programs, policies, and
activities
• Ensure low income and minority groups receive their fair share of benefits
The Civil Rights Officer is responsible for initiating and monitoring Title VI activities,
preparing required reports and ensuring that CATS adheres to other compliance
responsibilities as required by applicable regulations.
Where federal funds are involved, CATS will monitor and ensure the compliance of third
party contractors at any tier and each sub-recipient at any tier under the project with all
requirements prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, and
will include nondiscrimination language in all written agreements.
Individuals or organizations believing they have been a victim of discrimination based on
race, color, or national origin in the provision of services, programs, activities, or
Subject/Title:
Title VI Complaint Resolution Program
Procedure No:
CATS CivR03
Effective Date:
March 10, 2010
Revised Date:
April 3, 2014
Carolyn Flowers
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Transit
benefits, may file a formal complaint directly with CATS Call Center by telephone at
(704) 336 RIDE, or via e-mail to telltransit@charlottenc.gov, any designated staff, the
City’s Human Resources Department, the Federal Transit Administration, or mail to the
Civil Rights Officer, Charlotte Area Transit System, 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte,
NC 28202.
SCOPE
This procedure explains the formal and informal complaint processes for Title VI
complaints, communicates the rights and responsibilities of the complainant, and states
the responsibilities of CATS. It does not preclude the right of any complainant to file
complaints directly with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or to seek private legal
representation.
Informal and formal complaints should be filed within 180 calendar days of the event that
forms the basis of the claim. If the concern is ongoing, the complaint should be filed
within 180 calendar days of the last occurrence. The time required to process the
complaint and to investigate it will vary depending on the complexity of the issue;
however, every effort will be made to ensure a resolution of complaints within 60
business days.
The option of informal mediation meetings between the affected parties may be utilized
for resolution.
Compliance with Title VI is the responsibility of every CATS employee. The CATS Civil
Rights Office is responsible for monitoring and reporting compliance, investigating
complaints, and administering the program.
REFERENCES
CATS CSVS04 Customer Complaint Process
DEFINITIONS
An informal Title VI complaint is defined as a verbal or written communication received
by CATS Call Center staff from members of the public referencing a general complaint
regarding the inequitable distribution of benefits, services, amenities, programs or
activities financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
A formal Title VI complaint is defined as a written complaint of discrimination on the
basis of race, color, or national origin filed by an individual or group, which is submitted
on CATS’ Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form (CivRF01) and is signed by the
Subject/Title: Title VI Complaint Resolution Program
Procedure No: CATS CivR03
Revised Date: 04/03/2014
complaining party seeking to remedy perceived discrimination. The complainant shall
have the expectation that CATS will use racially neutral policies, practices and decisions,
which have positive impact on equitable distribution of benefits, services, amenities,
programs, and activities financed in whole or in part with federal funds. Such complaints
include, but are not limited to, allegations of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fewer services or benefits and/or inferior services or benefits to members of a
protected group
Failure to provide comparable services
Policies and practices that act as arbitrary and unnecessary barriers to equal
opportunity
Disproportionately adverse affects on social and economic parameters (e.g.
access to services, healthcare facilities, and employment opportunities)
Denied opportunity for equitable participation
Pattern of disparate treatment
Differential exposure of protected groups to environmental hazards
RESPONSIBILITY
CATS Call Center will be primarily responsible for intake of informal Title VI complaints.
Division Managers must provide a written response, which includes the resolution of the
complaint or an action plan, to the Civil Rights Office within 15 working days.
The Civil Rights Office has the responsibility to:
• Evaluate Title VI complaints for compliance
• Track complaints to ensure that the affected divisions have taken any
recommended action(s)
• Monitor response dates
• Communicate findings to the complainant
• Report trends, action plans, and non-compliance to the leadership team
PROCESSING INFORMAL COMPLAINTS
Intake
Any CATS employee who receives an inquiry or complaint of a civil rights
violation shall direct the complainant to report the concern directly to the CATS
Call Center via telephone (704-336-RIDE), e-mail (telltransit@ci.charlotte.nc.us),
or mail (600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202). Complainants
who want to file a formal Title VI complaint should be directed to CATS Civil
Rights Officer.
Upon receipt of a Title VI complaint, CATS Call Center representatives code the
complaint in their database as TVI (Title VI). CATS Call Center processes the
complaint per CATS CSVS04 Customer Complaint Process and forwards the
complaint to the appropriate divisional contact and to the Civil Rights Officer
within three days of receipt.
PROCESSING OF COMPLAINT AND RESOLUTION
Subject/Title: Title VI Complaint Resolution Program
Procedure No: CATS CivR03
Revised Date: 04/03/2014
If the Civil Rights Officer determines the complaint is within the scope of Title VI
and merits investigation, he/she assigns a complaint tracking number, enters the
complaint into the Title VI Complaint database, notifies the affected division
manager, and investigates the alleged violation. Within three business days of
receipt, the division manager will forward the complaint to the staff member most
appropriate to address the issue.
The division will consult with the Civil Rights Officer and offer a proposed
resolution in writing to the Civil Rights Office. Within three business days of
receiving the proposed resolution, Civil Rights representatives will offer
suggestions or modifications, if any.
Civil Rights will communicate its written findings to the customer within 30
business days, explaining any steps being taken to resolve the matter. Civil
Rights will also forward copies of this communication to the affected division(s)
and to CATS Call Center for updating their database. Responses will be in
English or Spanish, depending on the language they are received.
If determination is made that the matter is outside the scope of Title VI, the Civil
Rights Office will notify CATS Call Center and the affected division’s Manager
within a reasonable period.
Every effort shall be made to process and resolve informal Title VI complaints
within 30 business days.
APPEAL
There is no right to appeal resolution of an informal complaint. However, the
party has the right to file a formal complaint within 180 calendar days of the event
or last occurrence of the event.
PROCESSING FORMAL COMPLAINTS
INTAKE
The Civil Rights staff will provide a Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form in
English (CivRF01) or Spanish to the complainant, who must complete, sign and
return the form to the Civil Rights Officer.
PROCESSING
The Civil Rights Officer reviews the formal complaint to determine if Title VI
applies. A complaint shall be investigated unless:
•
•
It fails to state facts which could establish intentional unequal treatment
as described in the Definitions section of this procedure, or
Complainant is not a primary beneficiary of the federal aid received by
CATS
Subject/Title: Title VI Complaint Resolution Program
Procedure No: CATS CivR03
Revised Date: 04/03/2014
If the Civil Rights Officer determines the complaint is within the scope of Title VI
and merits investigation, he/she assigns a complaint tracking number and enters
the complaint into the Title VI Complaint database. The Civil Rights Officer also
notifies the affected division manager.
If the matter is outside the scope of Title VI, the Civil Rights Office will notify
CATS Call Center and the affected division’s manager in writing within a
reasonable period and the matter will be handled as a normal customer
complaint.
Investigation, Determination, and Recommendation
If investigation is warranted, the Civil Rights officer will investigate or assign an
investigator to:
•
•
•
•
Identify the basis of the alleged unequal treatment
Establish when and where the alleged unequal treatment occurred
Identify and interview all relevant parties
Review documents and make site visits to obtain factual information
Upon conclusion of a thorough investigation, the investigator will prepare an
investigative report to summarize findings and suggest appropriate corrective
action, along with a proposed resolution. The report should be submitted to the
Civil Rights Officer within 15 business days.
Communication of Findings and Complaint Resolution
The Civil Rights Officer will accept, reject, or modify the investigative report and
then consult with the affected division to convey the preliminary findings and
develop a proposal for resolution. The Civil Rights Officer will prepare a written
determination and submit it to CATS’ legal representative for review and
analysis. Once the final determination is ready for release, the Civil Rights Officer
and CATS’ legal representative will meet with the manager of the affected
division(s) to communicate the final determination and recommendations for
corrective action, if any.
The Civil Rights Officer will provide written notification to the complainant of the
investigation findings and CATS’ proposed resolution, if any. Civil Rights will
forward copies of this communication to CATS Call Center and the affected
division(s). Civil Rights will maintain a record of all discussions and retain all
documents relating to the investigation in a confidential file.
If cause is found to indicate a potential occurrence of non-compliance, the Civil
Rights Officer will communicate this information to the leadership team before
releasing the findings to the complainant.
APPEAL
Subject/Title: Title VI Complaint Resolution Program
Procedure No: CATS CivR03
Revised Date: 04/03/2014
The Civil Rights Officer will explain to the complainant that he or she has a right
to appeal to the Federal Transit Administration or to seek private legal
representation.
RECORDS REQUIRED
CivRF01 Title VI Discrimination Complaint Form (and CivRF01 – Spanish)
Civil Rights will maintain all documents related to the investigation
Complaints and follow-up information will be entered and kept in CALLTRAK
Summary of Changes
Three-year review completed on 4/03/2014.
Corrected the customer service e-mail address.
Title VI Complaint Forms
The following are the Title VI complaint forms translated into the 14 Safe Harbor Languages identified as
being spoken in the metro area. The languages include English, Chinese, French, Hausa, Igbo, Korean,
Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Yorube.
Spanish
ñ
ç
ê
ệ
French
Vietnamese
Ру сский
中國
(Chinese- PRC)
Russian
�ુજરાત ી
Portuguese
Gujarati
中國
(Chinese -Taiwan)
한국의
Korean
(704) 336 7433 or Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
Civil Rights Officer, CATS, 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
TITLE VI DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT FORM
1. Name of Complainant
4.
Person discriminated against (if someone other than complainant)
Name
2.
Telephone
3. Home address (street, city, state, zip)
Address
City, State, Zip
Telephone Numbers
5. Describe who allegedly discriminated against you.
(if known include) name of person(s), badge
number, employee number, vehicle number, and/or
contact information:
6. Date /time of alleged
incident (Month, Day,
Time of Day, Year):
7. Location of alleged incident (Include bus
route and number, if involved.)
9. I believe the discrimination I experienced was based on (check all that apply):
[ ] Race
[ ] Color
[ ] National Origin
[ ] Limited Ability to Speak English and/or the Language I Speak.
Explain as clearly as possible what happened and why you believe you were discriminated against. If more space is needed, please use
the back of this form.
10. Fully identify any persons or witnesses we may contact for additional information to support or clarify your allegations (name,
address, telephone(s)
11. What other information do you have which is relevant to an investigation of this complaint?
12. How can your issue(s) be resolved to your satisfaction?
Signature:
INTAKE BY (Administration Staff Representative)
12. If you have filed this complaint with
CATS before, please specify when,
where, and how?
DATE:
西班牙语 西班牙 语
(中国台湾)
越盟越南
中国
（中文-中国）
中国
한국의朝 鲜语
法国法语
Ру сский
俄罗斯
葡萄牙语 葡萄牙 语
�ુજરાત ી
豪萨人
古吉拉特语
伊博语
索马里
(704) 336-7433 或 Telltransit@charlottenc.gov 或
C.A.T.S.，公民权利主任 600 东第四街，夏洛特，数控 28202
第六编歧视投诉表格
1.投诉人的名称
4. 人歧视 （如果申诉人是别人的）
名称
2. 电话
地址
3.家庭地址 （街道、 城市、 州、 邮政编码）
市，州，邮编
电话号码
5。 描述据称歧视你的人。（如果已知包括） 人
员、 徽章编号、 员工人数、 车辆数和/或联系
信息名称：
6.日期/时间的指称的事件
（月、 一天、 一天时
间、 年）：
7.地点指称事件 （包括巴士路线和数量，如果
涉及）。
9. 相信我经历过的歧视基于 （请选中所有适用项）：
[] 种族
[] 颜色
[] 民族血统
[] 限制能讲英语和/或我所说的语言。
解释发生了什么事，为什么你认为你被歧视的尽可能明确。如果需要更多空间，请使用此窗体后面。
10. 完全标识的任何人或证人我们可能会联系支持或澄清你指控的其他信息 （姓名、 地址、 电话
11. 什么其他信息你有相关的调查这类投诉呢？
12.如何能你的问题被解析为您满意吗？
签名：
由 （行政工作人员代表） 的摄入量
13. 如果你提起这与之前的 C.A.T.S.习惯，请
指定何时、 在哪里，以及如何?
日期:
西班牙文 西班牙 文
(中國臺灣)
越盟越南
（中文-中國）
中國
中國
한국의朝 鮮語
法國法語
Ру сский
俄羅斯
葡萄牙文 葡萄牙 文
�ુજરાત ી
古吉拉特文
豪薩人
伊布文
索馬里
(704) 336-7433 或 Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
"C.A.T.S."，公民權利主任 600 東第四街，夏洛特，數控 28202
第六編歧視投訴表格
1.投訴人的名稱
4. 人歧視 （如果申訴人是別人的）
名稱
2. 電話
位址
3.家庭位址 （街道、 城市、 州、 郵遞區
號）
市，州，郵編
電話號碼
5。 描述據稱歧視你的人。（如果已知
包括） 人員、 徽章編號、 員工人數
、 車輛數和/或聯繫資訊名稱：
6.日期/時間的指稱的事件
（月、 一天、 一天時
間、 年）：
7.地點指稱事件 （包括巴士路線和數量，如果涉及）
。
9. 相信我經歷過的歧視基於 （請選中所有適用項）：
[] 種族
[] 顏色
[] 民族血統
[] 限制能講英語和/或我所說的語言。
解釋發生了什麼事，為什麼你認為你被歧視的盡可能明確。如果需要更多空間，請使用此表單後面。
10. 完全標識的任何人或證人我們可能會聯繫支援或澄清你指控的其他資訊 （姓名、 位址、 電話
11. 什麼其他資訊你有相關的調查這類投訴呢？
12.如何能你的問題被解析為您滿意嗎？
簽名：
由 （行政工作人員代表） 的攝入量
13. 如果你提起這與之前的 C.A.T.S.習慣，請指定何
時、 在哪裡，以及如何?
日期:
ñ
espagnol
Việt
Français
ê
Ру сский
中國
(Chinois - PRC)
russe
�ુજરાત ી
中國
(Chinois - Taiwan)
Gujarati
한국의
Coréen
Portugais
(704) 336-7433 ou Telltransit@charlottenc.gov agent de droits civils,
"C.A.T.S.", 600 quatrième Street East, Charlotte, NC 28202
FORMULAIRE DE PLAINTE DE DISCRIMINATION TITRE VI
1. nom du plaignant
2. Téléphone
3. adresse (rue, ville, État, zip)
4. Personne victime de discrimination (si quelqu'un d'autre que de la
plaignante)
Nom
Adresse
Ville, État, Zip
Numéros de téléphone
5. Describe qui auraient fait preuve de discrimination
contre vous. (si connus) nom de la personne (s),
matricule, numéro d'employé, numéro du véhicule
et/ou coordonnées :
6. date /time du présumé
incident (jour, heure,
mois, année) :
7. lieu de l'incident présumé (ligne de bus
Include et nombre, si elle est concernée.)
9. je crois que la discrimination, j'ai vécu a été basée sur (cocher toutes les cases):
[] Course
[] Couleur
[] Origine nationale
[] Limité la capacité de parler l'anglais et/ou la langue que je parle.
Expliquer aussi clairement que possible ce qui s'est passé et pourquoi vous croyez vous ont été victimes de discrimination. Si plus
d'espace est nécessaire, veuillez utiliser le verso de ce formulaire.
10. Entièrement identifier des personnes ou des témoins nous pouvons contacter pour plus d'informations à soutenir ou à clarifier vos
allégations (nom, adresse, niveau
11. Quelles autres informations avez-vous qui se rapporte à une enquête de cette plainte?
12. Comment votre question (s) peut-on résolu à votre satisfaction ?
Signature :
APPORT par (Administration représentant du personnel)
13. Si vous avez déposé cette plainte avec
C.A.T.S. avant, veuillez préciser quand,
où et comment?
DATE DE :
Español સ્પેિન
વેઇત િવએતનામીઝ
Français ફ્ર�
Русский રિશયન
Português પો�ર ુ ્ગી
હૌસા
中國 (Chinese- પીઆરસીમાં)
�ુજરાત ી
Gujarati
中國 (�ચની -Taiwan)
કો�રયામાં કો�રયન
ઇગ્બ
સોમાલી
(704) 336-7433 અથવા Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
નાગ�રક અિધકાર અિધકાર�, "�બલાડ�", 600 ઇસ્ ચોથી સ્ટ્, ચાલ�ટ, NC 28202
TITLE છઠ્ ભેદભાવ ફ�રયાદ ફોમર
1. ફ�રયાદ� નામ
સામે ભેદભાવ 4 વ્ય�ક (જો ફ�રયાદ� કરતાં અન્ કોઈને)
6.
નામ
3. ટ��લફોન
3. હોમ સરના�ું (શેર�, શહ�ર, રા�ય, િપન)
સરના�ુ ં
િસટ�, �ઝપ રા�ય,
ટ��લફોન નંબસર
7.
કિથત તમે સામે ભેદભાવ � વણર્ કરો. વ્ય�ક (ઓ), બેજ
6. તાર�ખ / કિથત ઘટના ભાવ
નંબર, કમર્ચાર નંબર, વાહન નંબર, અને / અથવા સંપકર
(મ�હનો, �દવસ, �દવસ સમય,
મા�હતી નામ (જો હોય સમાવેશ થાય છે ):
વષર):
7. કિથત ઘટના છે US ટપાલ સેવા (બસ માગર અને
નંબર છે, સામેલ તો સમાવેશ થાય છે.)
9. �ુ ં પર આધા�રત હતી અ�ુભવ ભેદભાવ (બધા લા�ુ તપાસો) માને છે:
[] ર� સ
[] રં ગ
[] નેશનલ � ૂળ
[] �ગ�લશ અને / અથવા �ુ ં ચચાર કરો આ ભાષા ચચાર કરો કરવા માટ� ક્ષમ મયાર ્�દ છે.
તર�ક� સ્પષ ર�તે શ� થ�ું તે સમ�વો અને તમે તમાર� સામે ભેદભાવ કરવામાં આવી હતી માને છે શા માટ�. વ�ુ જગ્ય જ�ર� છે, આ ફોમર પાછળ ઉપયોગ કરો.
13. સં� ૂણર્પણ અમે આધાર અથવા તમારા આરોપો (નામ, સરના�ુ,ં ટ� �લફોન સ્પષ વધારાની �ણકાર� માટ� સંપકર કર� શકો છો કોઈપણ વ્ય�ક્ અથવા સાક્
(ઓ) ઓળખવા
14. અન્ કઈ મા�હતી તમે આ ફ�રયાદ એક તપાસ સાથે સંબિં ધત છે, � છે?
12. (ઓ) તમારા સંતોષ માટ� તમાર� સમસ્ય ક�વી ર�તે ઉક�લ લાવી શકાય છે?
13. તમે �બલાડ�ઓ સાથે આ ફ�રયાદ દાખલ કર� છે તો
પહ�લાં, �યાર�, �યાં, અને ક�વી ર�તે સ્પષ કરો?
હસ્તાક:
દ્વા ઇન્ટ� (વહ�વટ સ્ટા પ્રિતિન)
તાર�ખ:
Spanish
việt K'abilan Biyetnam
Français Faransa
Русский Rasha
ñ
ê
中國
(Chinese- PRC)
中國
(Chinese -Taiwan)
�ુજરાતી Gujaratia
Portuguese
한국의
Korean
Somaliya
(704) 336 RIDE ko Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
Civil Rights Officer, C.A.T.S., 600 East huxu Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
TITLE VI NUNA BAMBANCI KUKA FORM
1. Sunan Complainant
8.
Mutum nuna musu wariya da (idan wani ya wanin complainant)
Name
4.
Telephone
Address
3. Home address (titi, city, jihar, zip)
City, State, Zip
Telephone Lissafi
9.
Bayyana wanda wai nuna musu wariya a kanku.
(Idan aka sani sun hada da) sunan mutum (s),
lamba number, ma'aikaci number, abin hawa
number, da / ko contact bayani:
6. Date / lokacin da ake
zargin ya faru (Watan,
Day, Time of Day,
Year):
7. Location of zargin ya faru (Include bas
hanya da kuma lambarta, idan hannu.)
9. Na yi imani da nuna bambanci da na samu da aka bisa (duba abin da nema):
[] Race
[] Color
[] National Origin
[] Limited Ability ya yi magana Turanci da / ko Harshe Na yi magana.
Bayyana a matsayin fili ne sosai abin da ya faru da kuma abin da ya sa ka yi imani ku aka nuna musu wariya da. Idan more sarari ake
bukata, don Allah yi amfani da baya na wannan tsari.
15. Yi cikakken gano wani mutum ko shaidu mu tuntube domin ƙarin bayani, don tallafa wa ko bayyana your zargin (sunan, address,
tarho (s)
16. Abin da sauran bayanai kuke da shi wanda shine dace da wani bincike na wannan kuka?
12. Ta yaya za ka fito (s) a karfin zuciya to your gamsuwa?
13. Idan ka yi wannan kuka da C.A.T.S. kafin,
don Allah saka a lokacin da, inda, kuma ta
yaya?
Sa hannu:
DATE:
Ci BY (Administration Staff Wakilin)
Spanish
ñ
ç
ê
ệ
French
Vietnamese
Ру сский
中國
Russian
(Chinese- PRC)
�ુજરાત ી
Portuguese
Gujarati
中國
(Chinese -Taiwan)
한국의
Korean
(704) 336-7433 ma ọ bụ Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
Obodo Rights officer, C.A.T.S., 600 East anọ Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
MBỤ NA VI OKE MKPESA ỤDỊ
1. Aha nke Complainant
10. onye na-akpa ókè Against (ịhụnanya onye ọzọ Karịa complainant)
aha
5.
Trafik
3. Home adreesị (Street, City, State, ZIP)
adreesị
City, State, zip
Trafik nọmba
11. Kọwaa WHO kwuru na-akpa ókè Against Ị.
(Ịhụnanya mara gụnyere) aha onye (s), baajị
nọmba, na-arụ ọtụtụ, ụgbọ nọmba, na / ma ọ bụ ozi
ịkpọtụrụ:
6. Ụbọchị / Oge nke ebubo
mere (ọnwa, Day, Oge
nke Ụbọchị, nke
agaghinihu):
7. Ọnọdụ nke ebubo mere (Gụnye ụgbọ ala
na Nsoro na Number, n'anya idem.)
9. M Kwere na Ịkpa Ókè m ahụmahụ klas dabeere (Lelee niile tinye):
[] N'Ọsọ
[] Nillkin
[] National Si Malite
[] Oge Ikike na-ekwu na Bekee ma na / ma ọ bụ ndị asụsụ m ekwu.
Kọwaa ihe doro anya na-akọwa omume ihe Mere na Ntak Anyị na-agba Kwere Ị ụta-akpa ókè megide. Ọ bụrụ na More Ohere ngo mkpa,
biko jiri azụ nke ikike ụdị.
17. Ofụri Esịt mata ọ bụla mmadụ ma ọ bụ Ndịàmà Ka kpọtụrụ gị maka ozi ndị ọzọ na-akwado ma ọ bụ doo anya, gosikwa gị akwado
(aha, adreesị, ekwentị (s)
18. Nso ozi ndị ọzọ i nwere nke dị mkpa ka ihe nchoputa nke a mkpesa?
19. Olee otú gị nke (s) kpebisie ike gị afọ ojuju?
20. Ọ bụrụ na ị gbara akwụkwọ a mkpesa na
C.A.T.S. n'ihu, biko ezipụta mgbe, ebe,
ndien didie?
Akara Mbinye aka:
ỤBỌCHỊ:
Oriri BY (elekọta ọrụ nnochite anya)
스페인어
스페인어
베트남
(중국어-중국)
베트남
中國
中國
(중국-대만)
한국한국 어
프랑스어
프랑스어
Ру сский
러시아어
�ુજરાત ી
구자라트어
하우사어
이그보어
소말리아
포르투갈어
포르투갈 어
(704) 336-7433 또는 Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
민권 장교, "C.A.T.S." 600 동쪽 제 4 거리, 샬 롯, 노스캐롤라이나 28202
제목 VI 차별 불만 양식
1입니다. 신청 인 이름
4. (만약 신청 인 이외의 다른 사람이) 사람에 대 한 차별
이름
2. 전화
3. 집 주소 (거리, 도시, 상태, 우편 번호)
주소
도시, 상태, 우편
전화 번호
5. 추정 되 게 당신을 차별 하는 설명 합니다. (알고 있는
경우를 포함) 사람, 번호, 직원 번호, 차량 번호 및
연락처의 이름:
6. (달, 한 일 시간, 년) 추정
된 사건의 /time 날짜:
7. 혐의 사건 (포함 버스 노선 및 번호, 참여 하는
경우.)의 위치
9. 믿습니다 내가 경험 하는 차별 (적용 되는 모든 수 표)에 근거 했다:
[ ]경주
[ ]색상]
[ ]국적
[ ]영어와 내가 말하는 언어를 말하는 기능을 제한 합니다.
무슨 일이 있었는지 그리고 왜 당신 생각에 대하여 감 별 했다 가능한 명확 하 게 설명 한다. 공간이 더 필요한 경우이 양식 다시를 사용
하시기 바랍니다.
10. 완전히 식별 어떤 사람 또는 증인 우리를 지원 하거나 당신의 주장을 명확히 추가 정보에 대 한 문의하실 수 있습니다 (이름, 주소,
telephone(s),
11. 기타 정보 있다면이 불평의 수사에 관련 된?
12. 어떻게 당신의 문제가 (들)을 만족 스럽게 해결할 수 있습니까?
서명:
섭취에 의해 (관리 직원 대표)
13. 전에 C.A.T.S.와이 불만 제기 하는 경우 지정
하십시오 언제, 어디서, 그리고 어떻게?
날짜:
Español
ç
ê
-francês
ệ
vietnamita
Ру сский
中國
russo
(Chinês - República
Popular da China)
�ુજરાત ી
Guzerate
中國
(Chinês - Taiwan)
한국의
Coreano
Português
(704) 336-7433 ou @charlottenc. ,
oficial de direitos civis, "C.A.T.S.", 600 leste quarta rua, Charlotte, NC 28202
FORMULÁRIO DE DENÚNCIA DE DISCRIMINAÇÃO DE TÍTULO VI
1. nome do autor da denúncia
4. Pessoa de discriminação (se alguém que não seja o autor da denúncia)
Nome
2. Telefone
3. endereço (rua, cidade, estado, zip)
Endereço
Cidade, estado, Zip
Números de telefone
5. Descrever quem supostamente te discriminou. (se
conhecidos incluem) nome da pessoa (s), número do
distintivo, número de funcionário, número do veículo
e/ou informações de contato:
6. Data /time do alegado
incidente (mês, dia, hora
do dia, ano):
7. localização do alegado incidente (incluir seu
itinerário e número, se envolvido).
9. eu acredito que a discriminação que eu experimentei foi baseada no (verificar todas que se aplicam):
[] Raça
[] Cor
[] Origem nacional]
[] Limitada capacidade de falar inglês e/ou a língua que eu falo.
Explica tão claramente quanto possível o que aconteceu e por que você acredita que foram discriminados. Se for necessário mais espaço, por
favor use a parte de trás desse formulário.
10. Identificar totalmente quaisquer pessoas ou testemunhas pode contactar para obter informações adicionais apoiar ou esclarecer as alegações
(nome, endereço, telephone(s)
11. Que outra informação que seja relevante para uma investigação desta demanda tem?
12. como pode o problema ser resolvido para sua satisfação?
Assinatura:
INGESTÃO por (administração representante pessoal)
13. Se você já arquivado esta queixa com
C.A.T.S. antes, por favor, especificar
quando, onde e como?
DATA:
-Испанский
Испанский
Францу зский
французский
Порту гальский
Вьетнамский
Ру сский
Việt
中國
Русский
Português
(Китайский - Китай)
Гу джарати
числа
Хау са
中國
(Китайский - Тайвань)
한국의
корейский
Игбо
Сомали
(704) 336-7433 или Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
гражданских прав офицер, «C.A.T.S.», 600 Востоке четвертой улице, Шарлотта, NC 28202
РАЗДЕЛ VI ФОРМЫ ДИСКРИМИНАЦИИ ЖАЛОБЫ
1. Наименование заявителя
4. Лицо дискриминации (если кто-то помимо заявителя)
Имя
2. Телефон
3. домашний адрес (улица, город, штат, zip)
Адрес
Город, штат, почтовый индекс
Телефонные номера
5. Опишите, кто якобы дискриминации против вас.
(если известно, включают) имя человек(а), номер
жетона, табельный номер, номер транспортного
средства или Контактная информация:
6. Дата /time
предполагаемого
инцидента (месяц,
день, время суток, год):
7. местоположение предполагаемого
инцидента (включая автобусный маршрут и
номер, если речь.)
9. я считаю, я испытал дискриминации основывается на (выберите все что подходит):
[] Гонка
[] Цвет
[] Национальное происхождение
[] Ограничивает способность говорить на английском и/или владею языком.
Объясните, как ясно, как можно скорее, что случилось и почему вы считаете, вы подвергались дискриминации. Если требуется
больше места, пожалуйста, используйте в задней части этой формы.
10. Полной идентификации лиц или свидетелей мы можете связаться для получения дополнительной информации для поддержки
или уточнить ваши утверждения (имя, адрес, Телефон
11. Какая информация у вас которых имеет отношение к расследование этой жалобы?
12. каким образом можно разрешить для вашего удовлетворения ваших выпусков?
Подпись:
ПОТРЕБЛЕНИЕ (администрирование персонала представителем)
13. Если вы подали эту жалобу с C.A.T.S.
раньше, просьба указать, когда, где и
как?
ДАТА:
ñ
Spanish
Faransiiska
ç
ê
ệ
Vietnamese
Ру сский
中國
(Chinese- PRC)
Ruushka
�ુજરાત ી
Portuguese
中國
Gujarati
(Chinese -Taiwan)
한국의
Kuuriya
(704) 336-7433 ama Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
Sarkaalka Civil Rights, C.A.T.S., 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
VI SOOCA FOOMKA CABASHADA
1. Name of cabanaya
12. Qofka takooray (haddii uu qof kale oo aan ahayn cabanaya)
Name
6.
Telephone
3. cinwaanka Home (wadada, magaalada, gobolka, zip)
Cinwaanka
City, State, Zip
Lambarada Teleefonka
13. Sharaxaad oo sida la sheegay kuugu takoortay.
(haddii la yaqaan waxaa ka mid ah) magaca qofka
(s), tirada calaamad, tiro shaqaale, tirada baabuurta,
iyo / ama macluumaad kala xiriir:
6. Taariikhda / Waqtiga
dhacdada lagu
eedeeyey (Bisha,
Maalinta, Time ee
maalinta, sanadka):
7. Location dhacdada lagu eedeeyey (Ku dar
basaska iyo tirada, haddii ay ku lug.)
9. Waxaan aaminsanahay takoorka ee aan soo maray ayaa waxaa ku salaysan (calaamadee dhamaan inta ku khuseysa):
[] Race
[] Color
[] Qaranka Origin
[] Limited Kartida aad u hadal English iyo / ama Language aan hadal.
U sharax si la akhrin karo waxa dhacay iyo sababta aad u aaminsan aad xaqiraad. Haddii boos dheeraad ah loo baahan yahay, fadlan
isticmaal dhabarka foomkan.
10. buuxda u aqoonsado wixii qof ama markhaati waxaan la xiriiri kartaa macluumaad dheeraad ah si ay u taageeraan ama
caddeeyo aad eedaha (magaca, cinwaanka, telefoonka (s)
11. maxay macluumaadka kale ee aad leedahay taas oo ku haboon in baaritaan lagu sameeyo cabasho this?
12.
Sidee aad arrin (s) waxaa lagu xallin karaa in aad ku qanacsan tahay?
Saxiixa:
Intake BY (Maamulka Shaqaalaha Wakiilka)
13. Haddii aad dacwad la C.A.T.S. ka hor,
Fadlan Sheeg goorma, meelma, sidee iyo?
TAARIIKHDA:
ñ
é
é
Español
Français
Việt
Ру сский
中國
(China - PRC)
ruso
�ુજરાત ી
Gujarati
中國
(China - Taiwan)
한국의
Coreano
Português
í
(704) 336-7433 o Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
Oficial de los Derechos Civiles, "C.A.T.S.", 600 este cuarto Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
FORMULARIO DE QUEJAS DE DISCRIMINACIÓN TÍTULO VI
1. nombre del demandante
4. Persona discriminada (si alguien que no sea querellante)
Nombre
2. Teléfono
3. dirección (calle, ciudad, estado, código postal)
Dirección
City, State, Zip
Números de teléfono
5. Describe que presuntamente discriminado. (si se
conoce incluyen) nombre de la persona (s), número
de placa, número de empleado, número de vehículo
o información de contacto:
6. fecha/hora del
supuesto incidente
(mes, día, hora del
día, año):
7. Ubicación del presunto incidente
(incluye autobús y número, si procede)
9. creo que experimenté la discriminación se basaba en (marque todas las que apliquen):
[] Carrera
[] Color
[] Origen nacional
[] Limitada habilidad de hablar inglés o el idioma que hablo.
Explicar lo más claramente posible lo que pasó y por qué usted cree que fueron discriminados. Si se necesita más espacio, utilice
el dorso de este formulario.
10. Identifican plenamente cualquier persona o a los testigos podemos contactar para que obtener información adicional apoyar o
aclarar sus alegaciones (nombre, dirección, teléfono
11. Qué otra información que sea pertinente para una investigación de esta queja tienes?
12. ¿Cómo pueden resolver satisfactoriamente sus problemas?
Firma:
INGESTA por (representante personal de administración)
12. Si ha presentado esta queja con
C.A.T.S antes, por favor especifique
Cuándo, dónde y cómo?
FECHA:
ế
Tây Ban Nha tại Tây
Ban Nha
Pháp
ç
ế
ệ
Việt Nam
Ру сский
中國
Nga
Bồ Đào Nha
Português
(Tiếng Trung Quốc Trung Quốc)
�ુજરાત ી
Gujarati
中國
(Trung Quốc - Đài Loan)
한국의
Hàn Quốc
(704) 336-7433 hoặc @charlottenc.
cán bộ quyền dân sự, "C.A.T.S.", 600 East Fourth Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
MẪU ĐƠN KHIẾU NẠI TIÊU ĐỀ VI PHÂN BIỆT ĐỐI XỬ
1. tên của người khiếu nại
4. Người phân biệt đối xử (nếu ai đó khác hơn so với người khiếu nại)
Tên
2. Điện thoại
3. Trang chủ địa chỉ (street, thành phố, tiểu bang, số
zip)
Địa chỉ
Thành phố, tiểu bang, Số Zip
Số điện thoại
5. Describe người bị cáo buộc phân biệt đối xử bạn.
(nếu được biết đến bao gồm) tên của người, huy
hiệu số, số lượng nhân viên, số xe, và/hoặc thông
tin liên lạc:
6. ngày /time của bị cáo
buộc vụ việc (tháng,
ngày, thời gian của
ngày, năm):
7. vị trí của bị cáo buộc vụ việc (bao gồm xe buýt tuyến
đường và số, nếu tham gia.)
9. tôi tin rằng phân biệt đối xử tôi có kinh nghiệm được dựa trên (kiểm tra tất cả mà áp dụng):
[] Chủng tộc
[] Màu
[] Nguồn gốc quốc gia
[] Giới hạn khả năng nói tiếng Anh và/hoặc ngôn ngữ tôi nói.
Giải thích rõ ràng càng tốt những gì đã xảy ra và lý do tại sao bạn tin rằng bạn đã được phân biệt đối xử. Nếu không gian hơn cần thiết, xin vui lòng
sử dụng sau này.
10. Hoàn toàn xác định bất kỳ cá nhân hoặc nhân chứng chúng tôi có thể liên hệ với các thông tin bổ sung để hỗ trợ hoặc làm rõ những cáo buộc của
bạn (tên, địa chỉ, telephone(s)
11. Thông tin gì khác bạn có mà là có liên quan đến một cuộc điều tra khiếu nại này?
12. làm thế nào có thể issue(s) của bạn được giải quyết để sự hài lòng của bạn?
Chữ ký:
Tiêu thụ bởi (quản trị nhân viên đại diện)
12. Nếu quý vị đã nộp khiếu nại này với C.A.T.S. trước khi,
xin vui lòng xác định khi nào, ở đâu, và làm thế nào?
NGÀY:
ñ
ç
ê
Spani
ệ
French
Vietnamese
Ру сский
中國
Russian
(Kannada- PRC)
�ુજરાત ી
Portuguese
中國
(Kannada-Taiwan)
Gujarati
한국의
Korean
(704) 336-7433 tabi Telltransit@charlottenc.gov
Ilu Rights Officer, C.A.T.S., 600 East kerin Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
AKỌLE VI IYASOTO KỌ IWE FIFI ẸDUN
1. Orukọ ti Complainant
7.
tẹlifoonu
3. Home adirẹsi (ita, ilu, ipinle, Siipu)
14. Ènìyàn discriminated lodi si (ti o ba ti ẹnikan miiran ju complainant)
Name
adirẹsi
City, State, Siipu
tẹlifoonu nỌMBA
15. Sọ ti o titẹnumọ discriminated si o. (ti o ba mo
ni) orukọ ti eniyan (s), baaji nọmba, abáni
nọmba, ọkọ nọmba, ati / tabi alaye olubasọrọ:
6. Ọjọ / akoko ti esun isẹlẹ
(osù, ojo, Akoko ti ojo,
Odun):
7. Ipo ti esun isẹlẹ (Fi akero ipa ati awọn
nọmba, ti o ba lowo.)
9. Ni mo gbagbo awọn iyasoto mo ti kari ti a da lori (ṣayẹwo gbogbo awọn ti o waye):
[] Eya
[] Awọ
[] National Oti
[] Ni opin Agbara lati Sọ English ati / tabi awọn Ede ti mo Sọ.
Se alaye bi kedere bi o ti ṣee ohun ti sele ati idi ti o ba gbagbọ ti o si a discriminated. Ti o ba ti wa ni aaye diẹ ti nilo, jọwọ lo awọn pada ti
yi fọọmu.
21. kikun da eyikeyi eniyan tabi awọn ẹlẹri ti a le kan si fun afikun alaye lati ṣe atilẹyin tabi salaye rẹ esun (orukọ, adirẹsi, tẹlifoonu (s)
22. wo alaye miiran ni o ni eyi ti o jẹ ti o yẹ si ohun ti iwadi yi ẹdun?
12. Bawo ni le rẹ oro (s) wa ni resolved si rẹ itẹlọrun?
23. Ti o ba ti ẹsun yi ẹdun pẹlu C.A.T.S. ṣaaju
ki o to, jọwọ pato nigbati, nibi ti, ati bi?
Ibuwọlu:
ọjọ:
Gbigbemi NIPASẸ (ipinfunni Oṣiṣẹ Asoju)
Appendix B: Public Participation
Subject/Title:
Public Process for Fare and
Service Changes
Procedure No:
CATS MC01
Previous Revision:
January 20, 2010
Revised Date:
January 7, 2013
________________________________________________
Carolyn Flowers
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Transit
PURPOSE
To ensure the public is involved in and aware of significant route reductions or
eliminations, fare changes, and system-wide changes.
PROCEDURES
Route Reductions or Route Eliminations
Plans for the total elimination of a route or the restructuring of a route that will affect
more than 25% of that route’s ridership or 25% of route miles will be published
through Riders Alerts and posted on revenue vehicles and through other transit
venues 60 days before implementation is scheduled.
Comments in regards to the impacts on customers and the public will be considered
by the Transit Services Advisory Committee and notice of the final changes will be
communicated through Riders Alerts and posted on revenue vehicles, at the
Charlotte Transportation Center, and/or at other CATS transit centers and stations.
Major System-Wide Service and/or Fare Changes
Proposed service reductions that will affect 25% of passengers system-wide or 25%
of route miles system-wide will be published for public review and comment no less
than 90 days before the proposed changes are to take place.
A public
hearing/meeting will be held to hear and consider comments no less than 30 days
after the published notice.
Proposed fare increases will be published for public review and comment no less
than 90 days before the proposed changes are to take place.
A public
hearing/meeting will be held to hear and consider comments no less than 30 days
after the published notice. The public hearing for fare increases shall follow the
Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) Rules of Procedures section 7(b)
“Procedures for Public Hearings.”
A summary of the comments and effects of changes in regard to customers and the
public will be provided to the Transit Services Advisory Committee and the MTC.
Notice of the final changes will be posted on CATS revenue vehicles, through other
communication avenues, at the Charlotte Transportation Center, and/or at other
CATS transit centers and stations.
Public Involvement Summary: Blue Line Extension Light Rail Project- Northeast Corridor
Public Involvement Summary: Neighborhood/Community Outreach
Table 1: Public Meetings FY 2011-2014
DATE
ORGANIZATION
June 9, 2011
EcoDistrict (Villa Heights, Belmont, Optimist Park) AIT
July 11, 2011
Latina 102.3 afternoon live call-in radio show
July 15, 2011
Charlotte Civitan Club
July 20, 2011
Kentucky State University Transit and Technology Grant
students
July 21, 2011
Latina 102.3 morning live call-in radio show
August 11, 2011
BLE – Alpha Mills – Noise Impacts
September 29, 2011 Business Opportunity Symposium (DBE/SBE)
November 9, 2011 BLE – Final EIS – CATS Rail Division
November 9, 2011 BLE – Final EIS – CATS Rail Division
November 17, 2011 BLE Project Update - Hidden Valley Optimist Club
April 3, 2012
BLE Art in Transit Update - Hidden Valley NA
April 11, 2012
University City Quarterly Leadership Meeting led by the
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD)
April 19, 2012
State Full Funding Grant Agreement (SFFGA) ceremony
April 25, 2012
UNC Charlotte Earth Day Fair
May 1, 2012
BLE Project and AIT Update - Hidden Valley NA
May 15, 2012
University City Partners, area community leaders and business
owners meet the artist for JW Clay and UCB Stations
May 23, 2012 Meet the Primes (DBE/SBE Outreach)
June 12, 2012 Hidden Valley Elementary School joint AIT project coordination
(African and Hispanic American Neighborhood)
June 18, 2012 MLK, Jr. Middle School joint AIT project coordination
June 26, 2012 University of Georgia, Environmental Planning and Design
graduate students – TOD, light rail, design, construction and
tour
June 27, 2012 Indianapolis Elected Officials and Planners – FTA process, Blue
Line and TOD success, BLE update and tour
July 27, 2012 MARTA Transit Planners
August 7, 2012 Hidden Valley National Night Out
August 9, 2012 Latina 102.3 afternoon live call-in radio show
September 16, 2012 Northeast Coalition
September 19, 2012 Councilman Michael Barnes Town Hall Meeting
October 17, 2012 BLE Constructability Review
October 20, 2012 UNC Charlotte Sustainability Event
November 13, 2012 Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering
International
November 14, 2012 Citizens School Program at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
December 13, 2012 Howie Acres NA & Zion Primitive Baptist Church (NCDOT &
LOCATION
Belmont
Radio
ATTENDANCE
CATS tour
10
16
Radio
Alpha Mills
CMGC
SBLRF
SBLRF
Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley
University
7
75
12
8
16
26
35
UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte
Hidden Valley
University
30
30
10
Extravaganza
Hidden Valley
75
2
Hidden Valley
CATS tour
4
5
CATS tour
15
CATS tour
Hidden Valley
Radio
University
University
CMGC
UNC Charlotte
South Park
5
100
Hidden Valley
Howie Acres
26
20
15
15
10
8
CDOT)
January 16, 2013 Charlotte Area Hotel Association
January 16, 2013 UNC Charlotte Storrs Gallery
February 5, 2013 Belmont NA, AIT
February 7, 2013 UNC Charlotte Art Exhibition Class, Art Talks
March 5, 2013 Hidden Valley NA, AIT
March 9, 2013 McColl Center for Visual Art, AIT
March 22, 2013 McColl Center for Visual Art, Art Panel
April 26, 2013 IRWA Carolinas
May 9, 2013 CPCC Small Business Roundtable
May 16, 2013 CM Barnes Town Hall Meeting, District 4
June 4, 2013 NoDa Neighborhood and Business Association
June 6, 2013 CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member of the CCIM
Institute)
July 15, 2013 Shepard’s Center
July 15, 2013 NorthEnd Partners
July 18, 2013 Ground breaking event
July 18, 2013 White House Roundtable – Public Engagement Event
August 6, 2013 Hidden Valley National Night Out
August 15, 2013 Latina 102.3 afternoon live call-in radio show
September 7, 2013 Annual Hidden Valley Parade & Festival
September 9, 2013 Hampshire Hills
September 10, 2013 DBE/SBO Outreach & Education Event
September 18, 2013 UNC Charlotte ITE
September 27, 2013 Latin American Chamber of Commerce Charlotte
October 7, 2013 Small Business Technology Development Center (SBTDC)
October 12, 2013 Bridlewood NA
October 15, 2013 National Association of Women in Construction
December 2, 2013 grade separation at Sugar Creek Road and the NC/Norfolk
Southern railroad (@Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church)
December 4, 2013 NorthEnd Partners
December 18, 2013 Land Use Committee of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
December 20, 2013 Business Advisory Committee (BAC)
January 8, 2014 NorthEnd Partners Board Mtg
January 9, 2014 Transit Services Advisory Committee
January 14, 2014 South Park Chamber of Commerce
January 15, 2014 UNC Charlotte Conference Center Task Force
January 21, 2014 Citizens Transit Advisory Group
February 4, 2014 Hidden Valley NA
February 6, 2014 Charlotte Center City Partners & Street Public Market
February 6, 2014 Latina 102.3 afternoon live call-in radio show
February 19, 2014 Latin American Chamber of Commerce
February 27, 2014 UCP Board (BLE & SAP update)
March 3, 2014 Major employers in University City Area (UCP)
Uptown
UNC Charlotte
Belmont
UNC Charlotte
Hidden Valley
Uptown
Uptown
Uptown
Uptown
University
NoDa
Uptown
25
75
10
14
50
South Blvd
North Tryon
Uptown
Uptown
Hidden Valley
Radio
Hidden Valley
Hampshire Hills
CMCG
UNC Charlotte
Matthews
University
Bridlewood
West Charlotte
North Tryon
50
20
150+
24
100
North Tryon
Uptown
BLE tour
North Tryon
CMGC
South Park
UNC Charlotte
CMGC
Hidden Valley
Uptown
Radio
Uptown
University
University
40
30
22
20
21
70
15
8
40
7
40
5
75
80
40
75
25
84
20
6
25
12
40
60
25
70
March 21, 2014 North Park CMC Urgent Care transit fair
North Tryon
March 25, 2014 College Downs NA
College Downs
March 26, 2014 Uptown Charlotte Chambers’ 2014 Business Showcase
March 27, 2014 First Responders
University
April 1, 2014 Belmont NA
Belmont
April 1, 2014 NoDa Neighborhood & Business Association
NoDa
April 4, 2014 CMS Transportation Division
CMGC
April 5, 2014 Optimist Park NA
Optimist Park
April 10, 2014 University City Chapter of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
University
April 14, 2014 Villa Heights NA
Villa Heights
April 16, 2014 UNC Charlotte Earth Day event
UNC Charlotte
May 12, 2014 Hampshire Hills NA
Hampshire Hills
30
15
20
15
50
8
15
59
20
40
20
Public Meetings
DATE
PUBLIC MEETING
September 27, 2011 BLE – RE Acquisition - Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
October 11, 2011 BLE – Final EIS - Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
October 4, 2012 BLE – SAP/NECI - Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
October 18, 2012 BLE – SAP/NECI - Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
November 1, 2012 BLE – SAP/NECI - Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
January 31, 2013 BLE – SAP/NECI – Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
Meet the Business Owners & Pre-Construction –
May 14, 2013 Boardwalk Billy’s
Meet the Business Owners & Pre-Construction – Amelie’s
May 16, 2013 French Bakery
May 21, 2013 BLE – Pre-Construction Update – Oasis Shriners Center
May 30, 2013 BLE – Pre-Construction Update – Sugaw Ck Presbyterian
July 18, 2013 BLE – Pre-Construction Update - IKEA
BLE – Advanced Utilities & Construction Update – Sugaw
December 5, 2013 Ck
BLE – Advanced Utilities, Construction Update & SAP –
December 10, 2013 Oasis
February 18, 2014 BLE – Construction Update & SAP Oasis Shriners Center
March 11, 2014 BLE – Construction Update & SAP Oasis Shriners Center
May 15, 2014 BLE – Quarterly Business Meeting @ BLE field office
LOCATION
North Tryon
North Tryon
North Tryon
North Tryon
North Tryon
North Tryon
University
Uptown
University
North Tryon
University
North Tryon
University
University
University
University
ATTENDANCE
55
62
150
100
40
90
19
13
55
64
85
100
60
70
66
7
Neighborhood Demographics
BLE Effected Neighborhood Demographics:
The Hidden Valley, Villa Heights, Optimist Park, and North Tryon from Uptown to Tom Hunter Road
neighborhoods are considered disproportionately minority areas with a majority of African American
and then Asian, Hispanic, and other ethnicity American residents. The University Area includes
representation of these groups to a lesser extent. The tables and charts below show the demographic
figures of the above listed neighborhoods.
Table 1: Hidden Valley Demographics
://www.areavibes.com/charlotte-nc/hidden+valley/demographics/
Race
Hidden Valley
Charlotte
North Carolina
Caucasian
10.02%
58.26%
74.78%
African American
66.90%
32.62%
20.23%
Asian
0.95%
3.24%
0.90%
American Indian
0.49%
0.43%
0.77%
Native Hawaiian
0.00%
0.07%
0.04%
Mixed race
2.40%
1.89%
1.19%
Other race
19.25%
3.49%
2.10%
Chart 1: Hidden Valley Neighborhood Demographics
Table 3: Villa Heights Demographics://www.areavibes.com/charlotte-nc/villa+heights/demographics/
Race
Villa Heights
Charlotte
North Carolina
Caucasian
5.71%
58.26%
74.78%
African American
75.69%
32.62%
20.23%
Asian
11.05%
3.24%
0.90%
American Indian
0.00%
0.43%
0.77%
Native Hawaiian
0.00%
0.07%
0.04%
Mixed race
2.72%
1.89%
1.19%
Other race
4.83%
3.49%
2.10%
Chart 2: Villa Heights Demographics
Table 4: Optimist Park Demographics
://www.areavibes.com/charlotte-nc/optimist+park/demographics/
Race
Optimist Park
Charlotte
North Carolina
Caucasian
9.25%
58.26%
74.78%
African American
62.04%
32.62%
20.23%
Asian
24.40%
3.24%
0.90%
American Indian
0.00%
0.43%
0.77%
Native Hawaiian
0.00%
0.07%
0.04%
Mixed race
2.55%
1.89%
1.19%
Other race
1.75%
3.49%
2.10%
Chart 3: Optimist Park Demographics
Table 5: University City Demographics://www.areavibes.com/charlotte-nc/university+city+south/demographics/
Race
University City South
Charlotte
North Carolina
Caucasian
64.34%
58.26%
74.78%
African American
27.75%
32.62%
20.23%
Asian
4.10%
3.24%
0.90%
American Indian
0.80%
0.43%
0.77%
Native Hawaiian
0.00%
0.07%
0.04%
Mixed race
1.43%
1.89%
1.19%
Other race
1.58%
3.49%
2.10%
Chart 4: University City Demographics
Appendix C: Service Standards
45
Subject/Title:
Transit Service Guidelines
Policy Number: MTC-06
Approved by: Metropolitan Transit Commission Date Approved: January 26, 2011
Responsible Division: CATS Operations
Page Number: 1of 8
PURPOSE
The Transit Service Guidelines outline principles designed to provide services that are
comfortable, convenient and easy to use for customers, and to ensure that services are
designed to be reliable, timely, safe and efficient. The guidelines define the conditions that
require action when standards are not met, but allow flexibility to respond to varied customer
needs and community expectations in an accountable, equitable and efficient manner. Due to
the sustaining and projected growth in the Charlotte region, markets and customer expectations
are ever changing and growing. Thus, CATS must be responsive to these changes in order to
retain current customers and achieve and sustain ridership growth.
CATS Service Guidelines
The adopted service guidelines are in the following areas:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Travel Markets
Transit Coverage
Transit Access
Bus Stop Spacing and Amenities
Bus Route Monitoring System
New Transit Services
Load Standards
•
•
•
•
•
•
On-time Performance
Duplication of Service
Route Directness
Route Patterns
Service Frequency and Span
Vehicle Assignment
The service guidelines are intended to be applied to two primary areas of focus: the evaluation
of existing services and the evaluation of proposals for new service. As an example, the service
guidelines can be applied in the following situations: restructuring service to eliminate lowerproductivity segments or branches or adjusting service frequency to better reflect the demand
for service. Routes that do not meet standards are not automatically eliminated. These
guidelines call for the elimination of unproductive routes only as a last resort when it has been
determined that no cost-effective actions are available to improve the productivity of the
service.
The guidelines for evaluation of existing routes are not intended to preclude changes to routes
that meet these minimum standards. In many cases, it may be possible to improve the
productivity of routes that meet the minimum standards by making changes to headways or trip
times. These guidelines should not be used to prevent changes to improve the efficiency of
existing routes, as long as the changes meet the route design standards.
The evaluation of new service proposals will take place as proposals are received or needs
identified. New service proposals will be evaluated based on the most recent information
available regarding system standards. Decisions regarding implementation of new routes will be
made through the service planning process and by the Service Development Review Committee,
in consultation with the Transit Services Advisory Committee.
46
Travel Markets
Public Transportation cannot reasonably serve all person trips within a region. However, transit
can compete effectively for market share in many situations.
To guide decisions on resource allocation and to provide a basis for measuring performance
over time, CATS has identified those markets where it will seek to be competitive. The selected
local travel markets are consistent with the CATS Mission and will support attainment of the
CATS Vision and the goals of the 2030 Integrated Transit/Land Use Plan.
Travel Markets: CATS will identify and consider the Metropolitan Transit Commission Travel
Markets Policy when service changes or reductions are proposed.
Transit Coverage
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide convenient access to transit service in all areas
exceeding a minimum density. It is very difficult to provide effective transit services in lowdensity areas. This guideline supports the land-use goal of encouraging higher densities in
coordination with transit services. Census block group and Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) data will
be used to measure residential and employment density. The coverage area will be one-quarter
mile around the desired pick-up area.
Residential and Employment Density: In order for an area within Mecklenburg County to be
considered for CATS fixed route services, the area must meet a residential density of at least
three persons per acre and/or an employment density of three employees per acre.
Suburban Areas: In outlying suburban areas served primarily by express bus routes, park and
ride lots will be sited in areas likely to attract good ridership and in locations where they can
effectively intercept potential riders.
Transit Access
Buses can do substantial damage to parking lots and roadways that are not built to
accommodate the weight of a bus. This needs to be taken into account in the planning for bus
services.
Road Condition: Transit service will only be provided on paved roadways that have sufficient
strength to accommodate repetitive bus axle loads. The roadways must be in good condition
and buses must safely be able to maneuver.
Bus Stop Spacing and Amenities
It is recognized that bus stops and amenities help customers access CATS services and make
their riding experience more comfortable, safe and friendly. Amenities include bus shelters,
benches, trash cans, and static/electronic travel information signs.
Bus Stop Spacing: Factors that should be considered in determining bus stop locations/spacing
are as follows:
Provide stops at major generators (For example: employment centers, residential areas with
500+ units, retail centers, public education centers, major medical facilities).
Provide bus stops at transfer locations.
To the extent possible, provide bus stops at signalized intersections where there are designated
crossings.
Provide intermediate stops based on the distance a person has to travel to arrive at a bus stop:
- Central Business Districts or Major Commercial District: Minimum 500 feet
- High to medium density areas: 750 to 900 feet
- Medium to low density areas: 900 to 1,300 feet
- Low density to rural areas: as needed, no more frequent than 1,500 to 2,500 feet
Amenities: Placement of amenities should be based upon factors that consider equity in
distribution throughout the service area, and factors that consider the benefit to the user and
site-related constraints. Greater consideration should be given to stops on key bus routes due
to a generally higher level of demand. Stop locations that have boardings greater than 25
people per day will be given priority.
Other factors that should be considered in determining the priority for amenities at stops are:
Lengthy wait times between buses (beyond 30 minutes),
High percentage of transfer passengers (more than 25 percent), and
High percentage of seniors or disabled persons using the stop (more than 25 percent).
The necessary infrastructure (such as sidewalks) must be in place in order to consider an
installation. The integration of the necessary infrastructure and amenities in newly developed
or redeveloped areas should be coordinated with the development. CATS should work with
private land owners and developers, to the extent practicable, to leverage the construction or
the monies to offset the construction costs of necessary infrastructure and bus stop amenities.
Accessibility: All of CATS services and passenger facilities will be accessible to people with
disabilities in accordance with the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Bus Route Monitoring System
CATS will utilize a Route Monitoring System that uses a performance index based upon Passengers per
Revenue Hour and Subsidy per Passenger. An index score is calculated by taking the ratio of a given
route’s performance on a specific measure to the average of all routes in the service category. A score
of 1.0 represents average performance within the given service category. A score above 1.0 is better
than average, and for scores above 1.0, the score itself indicates how much better the route is
performing above the average (1.5 is 50 percent above average, 2.0 is 100 percent, and so forth). A
score below 1.0 represents below-average performance. A route with a score of 0.5 is at only 50
percent of the category.
Bus Monitoring System: CATS will monitor routes with an overall index score between 0.75 and 0.99,
and make changes to the service as needed. Routes falling between 0.50 and 0.74 should be subject to
a more detailed analysis that examines performance by route segment and time of day and makes
appropriate recommendations. Routes falling below 0.50 need immediate analysis and action.
New Transit Services
Proposals for new service come from a variety of sources including: the Countywide Transit Service Plan
(updated every five years), customers, employees, and reviews of system performance. New service
proposals are reviewed during the service change process and are implemented based upon customer
need and resource availability.
Performance Evaluation: All new services will be subject to performance evaluations and will be
expected to meet the performance standards for their service type within two years of implementation.
New services will be expected to meet a performance monitoring score of 0.5 or better after one year.
If this does not occur, CATS will review the service and look for ways to improve its performance. If the
service performance slips to below 0.5 after two years, the route will be a candidate for discontinuation.
New Employment Shuttles: New shuttle services in employment areas may require a financial
contribution from business community stakeholders of up to 104 percent of the marginal operating cost.
Bus Services Outside of Mecklenburg County: CATS will follow the Metropolitan Transit Commission
Financial Policies (MTC-01) regarding financial contribution for bus services outside of Mecklenburg
County.
Load Standards
The objective of load standards is to balance passenger comfort and safety with operating cost.
Load Standards: CATS standard load factors for its bus services in regular service are:
115% of seated capacity for express services
130% of seated capacity for local and shuttle services
CATS will not exceed its standard load factors for more than 20 minutes per trip on a given route. If a
service is consistently above the seated capacity, then CATS will make adjustments, not limited to
adding additional service at the next scheduled service change, if funding is available. If the standing
load compromises safety in any way, CATS will implement additional service to meet the demand.
Rail Vehicle Loading Standards
Vehicle Load
Load Factor*
Standard
Service Standard
221%
Maximum
285%
Passengers Per
Vehicle
150
194
Acceptable Application
Peak Hour Service
Special Events
* Load factor as percent of seated capacity
Wheelchair Boardings: CATS will analyze wheelchair boardings annually, and make necessary schedule
adjustments. Trippers will be utilized if particular trips continually are not able to provide service to all
wheelchair boardings on a given fixed route services.
On-Time Performance
To ensure that transit riders have confidence that the service will perform reliably in accordance with
the public timetables prepared and distributed by CATS, on-time performance standards have been
established. A vehicle is considered “late” when it arrives five minutes or more after the scheduled
time. A vehicle is considered “early” if it departs one minute or more prior to the scheduled time. All
other trips are considered “on time”.
On-Time Performance: CATS bus routes that achieve an on-time performance score of 80 percent or
less over a course of two service changes will be reviewed and remedial action to improve performance
will be put in place at the next service change.
CATS will monitor the Light Rail service for on-time performance. Any trips that are consistently early or
late will be identified and schedule adjustments will be made at the next service change.
Duplication of Service
Service duplication occurs when two or more bus routes serve the same roadway. Duplication of service
can sometimes be needed or unavoidable due to the presence of activity centers or the lack of alternate
routing options. When services share the same street segment CATS will do the following:
Duplication of Service: If two services use the same street, schedules should be adjusted to maximize
frequency on the shared alignment.
Route Directness
CATS will design bus routes to operate as directly as possible to and from major destinations in order to
minimize passenger travel time. Routes shall operate on major arterial streets as much as possible.
When a deviation exists or is being considered, the gain in convenience to those passengers who are
boarding or alighting during the deviation must be balanced against the additional travel time for the
passengers traveling through.
Directness:
To the extent possible, bi-directional service shall be provided on the same street.
Express service shall be routed in the most direct manner possible.
Deviations from the basic route alignment to serve activity centers will be made only when they have
the potential to attract new riders equal to or exceeding the route performance evaluation standard for
the corresponding route category.
Additional time to operate route deviations should not exceed five minutes (one-way) or 10 percent of
the one-way run time, whichever is less.
No mid-route loops shall be operated.
Terminal loops shall not exceed 25 percent of a route’s total length for routes that exceed 30 minutes in
one-way travel time.
Route Patterns
It is sometimes more efficient to provide service to a certain area with one route having several
branches than to operate several different routes. In addition, some bus trips on a route may not go to
the end of the line due to very low ridership in that area at a particular time of day, also known as a
turnback. These service designs can result in a route network that is difficult for current and potential
customers to understand and utilize. Therefore, to provide a user-friendly service and to encourage
maximum use of the system by all current and potential riders, standards for branches and turnbacks
shall be set.
Route Patterns:
No route shall have more than two distinct branches.
No route shall have more than one turn around on a given branch.
When two routes are interlined, each route shall be treated as a separate route for the application of
this standard.
Service Frequency and Span
Service frequency is established to provide a sufficient number of vehicles to accommodate passenger
volume at the most crowded location(s), during a given time period. On high ridership routes, the
frequency of service provided is a function of demand and peak period loads. Service span refers to the
hours that service is provided and defines the minimum period of time that service will operate at any
point in the system.
Headways/ Frequency: The policy headway for CATS local and neighborhood shuttle bus routes will be
60 minutes or better. In peak periods, 30-minute headways will be the norm on local routes unless low
demand warrants less frequent service. Express and Regional Express services will have a minimum of
three trips in each peak direction.
CATS light rail services will operate at a frequency of 10 minutes or better in the peak and at least 30
minutes in the off-peak.
Service Span: CATS Fixed Route Bus, Special Transportation Service and Light Rail services will operate
between 5:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.
Exceptions will be based on ridership and productivity.
Vehicle Assignment
CATS vehicles shall be assigned to specific service types according to the following guidelines.
Exceptions to this may take place based upon operational and scheduling practices to maintain optimal
efficiency.
Vehicle Assignment: Fleet types should be assigned based on the service type it is intended to serve
when feasible.
Express Service = 40-foot suburban
Local Service = 40-foot low floor
Neighborhood Shuttle Service = 30-foot low floor
Gold Rush Service = Rubber tired trolley
Definition of Density
•
Low Density – Three to 10 residents or employees per acre
•
Medium Density – 10 to 20 residents or employees per acre
•
High Density – More than 20 residents or employees per acre
Summary of Changes
Minor wording changes throughout the document to improve clarity
2.5
Added “the route is performing above the average”
2.6
Third bullet: Added reference to the MTC Financial Policies (MTC-01)
2.7
Deleted rail service load standard from bullet point and added a new table for “Rail Vehicle
Loading Standards” at the end of the section.
Added “if funding is available”
2.12
Deleted reference to CATS Historic Trolley service. CATS discontinued this service July 1, 2010.
Previous Revision: December 19, 2007
Service Standards
Vehicle Load by Mode
The number of minority routes 40 (transversed by local services routes) in this analysis vastly exceeds
the number of non-minority routes at 13. The simple average load factor for minority routes is 44%
while the load factor for non-minority routes is 10 percentage points less at 34%. The load factor in
minority routes appears to be in no way diminutive to that in non-minority routes.
Table 1: Local Services Non-Minority Routes
Local Services
Non-Minority Routes
Route
Avg Trip Load
Capacity
Load Factor
6
12.11
39
31%
14
19.00
39
49%
15
18.36
39
47%
19
13.59
39
35%
20
14.84
39
38%
43
8.91
39
23%
47
4.73
28
17%
49
2.77
28
10%
50
11.82
28
42%
86
24.14
22
110%
97
7.48
28
27%
98
2.95
28
11%
51
4.98
28
18%
Table 2: Local Service Minority Routes
Local Services
Minority Routes
Route
Avg Trip
Load
Capacity
Load Factor
1
17.40
39
45%
2
10.14
39
26%
3
19.96
39
51%
4
9.25
39
24%
5
15.21
39
39%
7
24.43
39
63%
8
15.90
39
41%
9
29.42
39
75%
10
15.28
39
39%
11
29.24
39
75%
12
9.65
39
25%
13
17.04
39
44%
16
14.68
39
38%
17
23.96
39
61%
21
6.03
39
15%
22
20.26
39
52%
23
23.46
39
60%
24
8.83
39
23%
25
4.64
28
17%
26
9.36
39
24%
27
24.17
39
62%
29
17.46
39
45%
30
20.55
39
53%
33
72.53
39
186%
34
21.39
39
55%
39
22.34
39
57%
42
6.88
28
25%
55
12.04
39
31%
56
16.63
39
43%
57
8.96
28
32%
58
6.80
39
17%
60
7.13
39
18%
99
3.59
28
13%
201
2.32
28
8%
204
8.52
28
30%
211
10.71
28
38%
221
11.46
28
41%
222
11.01
28
39%
232
11.88
28
42%
235
7.95
28
28%
* Denotes a Bus Bridge service. This service is utlized in the event
that regular LYNX service is not cannot operate.
Table 3: Local Non-Minority Routes
Local Services
Non-Minority Routes
Route
6
14
15
19
20
43
47
49
50
86
97
98
51
Avg Trip Load
12.11
19.00
18.36
13.59
14.84
8.91
4.73
2.77
11.82
24.14
7.48
2.95
4.98
Capacity
39
39
39
39
39
39
28
28
28
22
28
28
28
Load Factor
31%
49%
47%
35%
38%
23%
17%
10%
42%
110%
27%
11%
18%
The same could be said the number of minority routes 16 (travel by express services routes) in this
analysis vastly exceeds the number of non-minority routes at 2. The simple average load factor for
minority routes is 39% while the load factor for non-minority routes is 5 percentage points less at 34%.
The load factor in minority routes appears to be in no way diminutive to that in non-minority routes.
Table 4: Express Service: Non-Minority Route Load Factor
Express Services
Non-Minority Routes
Route
Avg Trip Load
Capacity
Load Factor
64
10.84
40
27%
65
16.18
40
40%
Table 5: Express Service Minority Route Load Factor
Express Services
Minority Routes
Route
Avg Trip Load
Capacity
Load Factor
40
15.66
40
39%
41
25.51
40
64%
45
10.62
40
27%
46
19.71
40
49%
48
14.36
40
36%
52
13.53
40
34%
53
9.00
40
23%
54
15.98
40
40%
61
26.15
40
65%
62
16.90
40
42%
74
20.80
49
42%
77
11.60
40
29%
80
18.50
49
38%
82
19.05
49
39%
85
18.38
49
38%
88
11.89
49
24%
The existing LYNX light rail system travels through several tracts.
Table 6: :LYNX Load Factor
LYNX Services
Route
Avg Trip Load
Capacity
Load Factor
501
91
68
134%
Vehicle Headway for each mode
Note: a “0” represents that the route is not operating during that period.
Table 7: Weekday Route Frequency- Minority Tract Routes
Route
Peak
Non-Peak
Night
Facility
1
MT HOLLY ROAD
20
30
60
DAVIDSON
2
ASHLEY PARK
30
30
60
DAVIDSON
3
THE PLAZA
20
30
45
DAVIDSON
5
AIRPORT
20
20
30
DAVIDSON
7
BEATTIES FORD
10
15
30
DAVIDSON
9
CENTRAL AVE
10
15
30
DAVIDSON
11
NORTH TRYON
10
10
20
DAVIDSON
21
DOUBLE OAKS
30
40
40
DAVIDSON
22
GRAHAM STREET
30
30
45
DAVIDSON
23
SHAMROCK DRIVE
20
30
45
DAVIDSON
26
OAKLAWN
30
30
60
DAVIDSON
29
UNCC/SOUTHPARK
45
45
0
DAVIDSON
45x
CARMEL ROAD
20
0
0
DAVIDSON
48x
HUNTERSVILLE EXPRESS
15
0
0
DAVIDSON
54x
UNIV. RESEARCH PARK
15
0
0
DAVIDSON
77x
NORTH MECK
15
60
60
DAVIDSON
4
COUNTRY CLUB
30
30
45
TRYON
8
TUCKASEEGEE
15
20
60
TRYON
10
WEST BLVD
15
15
30
TRYON
12
SOUTH BLVD
30
30
60
TRYON
13
NEVIN RD
30
30
30
TRYON
16
SOUTH TRYON
15
15
30
TRYON
17
COMMONWEATLH
30
30
60
TRYON
24
NATIONS FORD
30
30
30
TRYON
25
CLANTON RD
35
35
0
TRYON
27
MONROE RD
20
20
45
TRYON
30
CROSSTOWN
50
50
0
TRYON
34
FREEDOM DRIVE
20
30
40
TRYON
39
EASTWAY
35
45
45
TRYON
40x
ALBEMARLE
30
0
0
TRYON
41x
ARROWOOD EXPRESS
30
0
0
TRYON
42
CAROWINDS
15
0
0
TRYON
52x
IDLEWILD
20
0
0
TRYON
53x
NORTHLAKE
30
0
0
TRYON
55
WESTINGHOUSE
40
40
40
TRYON
56
ARROWOOD S. TRYON
20
20
40
TRYON
57
ARCHDALE
30
60
0
TRYON
58
CAROLINA PLACE
20
30
30
TRYON
60
WEST TYVOLA/SOUTHPRK
30
45
0
TRYON
61x
ARBORETUM
25
0
0
TRYON
62x
REA RD
20
0
0
TRYON
74x
UNION COUNTY
30
0
0
TRYON
80x
CONCORD
20
0
0
TRYON
82x
ROCK HILL
30
0
0
TRYON
85x
GASTONIA
25
0
0
TRYON
88x
LINCOLN COUNTY
30
0
0
TRYON
99
NM VR-HUNTERSVILLE
60
60
0
TRYON
201
GARDEN CITY
30
30
35
TRYON
204
LASALLE
30
30
60
TRYON
211
HIDDEN VALLEY
20
20
30
TRYON
221
EAST HARRIS/IDLEWILD
35
35
35
TRYON
222
PENCE ROAD
60
60
0
TRYON
232
GRIER HEIGHTS
35
35
60
TRYON
235
JACKSON PARK
40
40
0
TRYON
Frequency Average Minutes
37
33
43
Table 8: Weekday Route Frequency- Non-Minority Tract Routes
Route
Peak
Non-Peak
Night
Facility
86
GOLD RUSH RED
12
12
0
DAVIDSON
49
UNCC NINER
15
15
0
DAVIDSON
50
UNCC C.R.I.
15
15
30
DAVIDSON
51
PINEVILLE - MATTHEWS
30
60
0
DAVIDSON
6
KINGS DRIVE
20
30
35
TRYON
14
PROVIDENCE RD
35
45
35
TRYON
15
RANDOLPH RD
15
20
45
TRYON
19
PARK ROAD
20
30
30
TRYON
20
QUEENS RD
30
40
0
TRYON
43
BALLANTYNE SHUTTLE
30
60
0
TRYON
64x
INDEPENDENCE
15
0
0
TRYON
65x
MATTHEWS
20
0
0
TRYON
97
NM VR-CORNELIUS
60
60
0
TRYON
98
NM VR-MCCOY
60
60
0
TRYON
Frequency Average Minutes
31
37
35
Table 7: Saturday Route Frequency- Minority Tract Routes
WEEK
Route
Day
Night
Facility
1
MT HOLLY ROAD
35
45
DAVIDSON
2
ASHLEY PARK
30
60
DAVIDSON
3
THE PLAZA
30
60
DAVIDSON
5
AIRPORT
30
30
DAVIDSON
7
BEATTIES FORD
20
20
DAVIDSON
9
CENTRAL AVE
15
30
DAVIDSON
11
NORTH TRYON
15
30
DAVIDSON
21
DOUBLE OAKS
60
60
DAVIDSON
22
GRAHAM STREET
35
45
DAVIDSON
23
SHAMROCK DRIVE
30
60
DAVIDSON
26
OAKLAWN
45
45
DAVIDSON
29
UNCC/SOUTHPARK
0
0
DAVIDSON
45x
CARMEL ROAD
0
0
DAVIDSON
48x
HUNTERSVILLE EXPRESS
0
0
DAVIDSON
54x
UNIV. RESEARCH PARK
0
0
DAVIDSON
77x
NORTH MECK
0
0
DAVIDSON
84
GOLD RUSH ORANGE
0
0
DAVIDSON
86
GOLD RUSH RED
0
0
DAVIDSON
49
UNCC NINER
0
0
DAVIDSON
50
UNCC C.R.I.
0
0
DAVIDSON
4
COUNTRY CLUB
30
45
TRYON
8
TUCKASEEGEE
30
60
TRYON
10
WEST BLVD
30
30
TRYON
12
SOUTH BLVD
40
60
TRYON
13
NEVIN RD
30
60
TRYON
15
RANDOLPH RD
30
60
TRYON
16
SOUTH TRYON
30
30
TRYON
17
COMMONWEATLH
30
60
TRYON
24
NATIONS FORD
40
40
TRYON
25
CLANTON RD
60
0
TRYON
27
MONROE RD
30
45
TRYON
30
CROSSTOWN
45
0
TRYON
34
FREEDOM DRIVE
45
45
TRYON
39
EASTWAY
60
60
TRYON
40x
ALBEMARLE
0
0
TRYON
41x
ARROWOOD EXPRESS
0
0
TRYON
42
CAROWINDS
0
0
TRYON
52x
IDLEWILD
0
0
TRYON
53x
NORTHLAKE
0
0
TRYON
55
WESTINGHOUSE
0
0
TRYON
56
ARROWOOD S. TRYON
30
30
TRYON
57
ARCHDALE
60
0
TRYON
58
CAROLINA PLACE
30
30
TRYON
60
WEST TYVOLA/SOUTHPRK
45
0
TRYON
61x
ARBORETUM
0
0
TRYON
62x
REA RD
0
0
TRYON
74x
UNION COUNTY
0
0
TRYON
80x
CONCORD
0
0
TRYON
82x
ROCK HILL
0
0
TRYON
85x
GASTONIA
0
0
TRYON
88x
MT ISLAND
0
0
TRYON
98
NM VR-MCCOY
60
X
TRYON
99
NM VR-HUNTERSVILLE
60
X
TRYON
201
GARDEN CITY
30
30
TRYON
204
LASALLE
60
60
TRYON
211
HIDDEN VALLEY
25
30
TRYON
221
EAST HARRIS/IDLEWILD
45
45
TRYON
222
PENCE ROAD
60
60
TRYON
232
GRIER HEIGHTS
30
60
TRYON
235
JACKSON PARK
40
X
TRYON
Average
38
46
Table 9: Saturday Route Frequency- Non-Minority Tract Routes
Route
Day Night
Facility
51
PINEVILLE-MATTHEWS ROAD
60
0
DAVIDSON
6
KINGS DRIVE
45
45
TRYON
14
PROVIDENCE RD
30
60
TRYON
19
PARK ROAD
30
30
TRYON
20
QUEENS RD
60
0
TRYON
43
BALLANTYNE SHUTTLE
60
0
TRYON
64x
INDEPENDENCE
X
0
TRYON
65x
MATTHEWS
X
0
TRYON
97
NM VR-CORNELIUS
60
0
TRYON
98
NM VR-MCCOY
60
0
TRYON
Frequency Average Minutes
41
45
Table 10: Sunday Route Frequency- Minority Tract Routes
Route
DAY
NIGHT
Facility
1
MT HOLLY ROAD
60
60
DAVIDSON
2
ASHLEY PARK
60
60
DAVIDSON
3
THE PLAZA
60
60
DAVIDSON
5
AIRPORT
30
60
DAVIDSON
7
BEATTIES FORD
20
30
DAVIDSON
9
CENTRAL AVE
30
60
DAVIDSON
11
NORTH TRYON
30
40
DAVIDSON
21
DOUBLE OAKS
60
0
DAVIDSON
22
GRAHAM STREET
50
50
DAVIDSON
23
SHAMROCK DRIVE
60
60
DAVIDSON
26
OAKLAWN
60
60
DAVIDSON
29
UNCC/SOUTHPARK
0
0
DAVIDSON
45x
CARMEL ROAD
0
0
DAVIDSON
48x
HUNTERSVILLE EXPRESS
0
0
DAVIDSON
54x
UNIV. RESEARCH PARK
0
0
DAVIDSON
77x
NORTH MECK
0
0
DAVIDSON
4
COUNTRY CLUB
45
45
TRYON
8
TUCKASEEGEE
60
60
TRYON
10
WEST BLVD
30
60
TRYON
12
SOUTH BLVD
60
60
TRYON
13
NEVIN RD
60
60
TRYON
16
SOUTH TRYON
30
30
TRYON
17
COMMONWEATLH
45
45
TRYON
24
NATIONS FORD
45
45
TRYON
25
CLANTON RD
0
0
TRYON
27
MONROE RD
45
45
TRYON
30
CROSSTOWN
0
0
TRYON
34
FREEDOM DRIVE
45
0
TRYON
39
EASTWAY
60
60
TRYON
40x
ALBEMARLE
0
0
TRYON
41x
ARROWOOD EXPRESS
0
0
TRYON
42
CAROWINDS
0
0
TRYON
52x
IDLEWILD
0
0
TRYON
53x
NORTHLAKE
0
0
TRYON
55
WESTINGHOUSE
0
0
TRYON
56
ARROWOOD S. TRYON
40
40
TRYON
57
ARCHDALE
0
0
TRYON
58
CAROLINA PLACE
30
0
TRYON
60
WEST TYVOLA/SOUTHPRK
0
0
TRYON
61x
ARBORETUM
0
0
TRYON
62x
REA RD
0
0
TRYON
64x
INDEPENDENCE
0
0
TRYON
65x
MATTHEWS
0
0
TRYON
74x
UNION COUNTY
0
0
TRYON
78X
CELANESE RD
0
0
TRYON
79X
CONCORD MILLS
0
0
TRYON
80x
CONCORD
0
0
TRYON
82x
ROCK HILL
0
0
TRYON
85x
GASTONIA
0
0
TRYON
88x
MT ISLAND
0
0
TRYON
99
NM VR-HUNTERSVILLE
60
0
TRYON
201
GARDEN CITY
30
30
TRYON
204
LASALLE
0
0
TRYON
211
HIDDEN VALLEY
40
40
TRYON
221
EAST HARRIS/IDLEWILD
60
60
TRYON
222
PENCE ROAD
60
0
TRYON
232
GRIER HEIGHTS
60
60
TRYON
235
JACKSON PARK
0
0
TRYON
Frequency Average Minutes
46
51
Table 11: Sunday Route Frequency- Non-Minority Tract Routes
Route
DAY NIGHT Facility
54x
UNIV. RESEARCH PARK
0
0
DAVIDSON
77x
NORTH MECK
0
0
DAVIDSON
84
GOLD RUSH ORANGE
0
0
DAVIDSON
86
GOLD RUSH RED
0
0
DAVIDSON
49
UNCC NINER
0
0
DAVIDSON
50
UNCC C.R.I.
0
0
DAVIDSON
51
PINEVILLE - MATTHEWS
0
0
DAVIDSON
14
PROVIDENCE RD
60
0
TRYON
15
RANDOLPH RD
30
60
TRYON
19
PARK ROAD
30
30
TRYON
20
QUEENS RD
0
0
TRYON
43
BALLANTYNE SHUTTLE
0
0
TRYON
64x
INDEPENDENCE
0
0
TRYON
65x
MATTHEWS
0
0
TRYON
97
NM VR-CORNELIUS
60
0
TRYON
98
NM VR-MCCOY
60
0
TRYON
Frequency Average Minutes
48
45
On time performance for each mode
The On-Time performance standard for bus operations is 85%.
Circulator Services
Route
Minority Route
On Time
%
Overall
201
204
211
221
222
232
235
90.02%
95.61%
93.81%
86.82%
89.74%
95.65%
86.74%
85.98%
Crosstown Services
Route
On Time
Minority Route
%
Overall
78.90%
29
76.26%
30
80.36%
51
79.30%
Route
Minority Route
Overall
40x
41x
46x
48x
52x
53x
54x
64x
65x
77x
88x
Express Services
On Time
%
78.10%
76.61%
67.48%
81.55%
81.38%
85.58%
84.34%
76.23%
90.23%
76.02%
76.73%
84.84%
Gold Rush
Route
Non-Minority
On Time
%
Overall
89.34%
89.34%
86
1
2
3
4
Local Services
On Time
%
83.80%
83.73%
78.18%
88.71%
91.72%
5
78.49%
7
83.15%
8
85.10%
9
87.75%
10
90.70%
11
74.50%
13
85.78%
16
91.17%
17
21
22
23
24
26
27
34
39
84.28%
90.75%
78.45%
84.95%
89.59%
91.44%
76.55%
82.73%
81.38%
74x
80x
82x
85x
Regional Express
On Time
%
76.38%
77.07%
69.91%
76.80%
87.98%
Route
Minority Route
Overall
Route
Non-Minority
Overall
Shuttle
Services
Route
Minority Route
Overall
On Time
12
%
81.70%
77.51%
25
33
42
73.95%
91.84%
80.83%
43
55
56
57
58
60
84.38%
87.45%
80.34%
78.75%
97.65%
84.47%
Village Riders
Route
Minority Route
Overall
On Time
%
91.27%
88.84%
97.63%
87.52%
97
98
99
Service Availability
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) considers the service availability area to be ¾ mile of the
established transit service.
Transit Amenities
Minority Routes = 2442 bus stops, 244 (10%) with benches, 224 (9.2%) with shelters
Non-Minority Routes = 1029 bus stops, 320 (7.4%) with benches,79 (7.7%) with shelters
Table 12: Amenities Figures
Service Area Census Tract
Minority/Low Income
Non-Minority/Low Income
Total
Service Area Census Tract
Minority/Low Income
Non-Minority/Low Income
Total
Shelter
224
79
303
Shelter
9.2%
7.7%
8.7%
Bench
244
76
320
Total
Total
Amenities Stops
468
2442
155
1029
623
3471
Bench
10.0%
7.4%
9.2%
Total
Total
Amenities Stops
19.2%
70.4%
15.1%
29.6%
17.9%
Chart 1: Locations of CATS Transit Amenities
Vehicle Assignment
CATS vehicles shall be assigned to specific service types according to the following guidelines.
Exceptions to this may take place based upon operational and scheduling practices to maintain
optimal efficiency.
CATS utilizes the CATS Vehicle Assignment Program (CATS-VAP) to rotate vehicles throughout
the service area. Each vehicle is assigned a bus number that is entered into the CATS-VAP. On a
daily basis, the software program randomly selects bus numbers and assigns them to bus
routes. The pools of vehicles in which some routes are assigned are based on load factors (i.e.
larger buses on more heavily used routes, smaller vehicles on less frequently used routes).
Buses are randomly assigned with the following specific exceptions:
Vehicle Assignment: Fleet types should be assigned based on the service type it is intended to
serve when feasible.
•
•
•
•
Express Service = 40-foot suburban
Local Service = 40-foot low floor
Neighborhood Shuttle Service = 30-foot low floor
Gold Rush Service = Rubber tired trolley
Demand Response - CATS’ utilizes a fleet of smaller buses (less than 30 feet) to provide demand
response and neighborhood shuttle service throughout the region. The smaller vehicles are
better suited to provide service to neighborhoods and business activity centers.
Demographic and Service profile maps and charts.
Table 13: System-wide demographics
Ethnic Group
Service Area Minority
and Non Minority
Population
White
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino
Asian
Two or More Races
American Indian and Alaska Native
Some Other Race
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Is
Total 2010 Service Area Population
Service Area Population
547,600
307,441
126,264
42,620
18,464
3,456
2,640
566
1,049,051
Service Area Population
Non Minority
Minority
Service Area
547,600
508,113
1,055,713
Percent of Service Area
Population
52.20%
29.31%
12.04%
4.06%
1.76%
0.33%
0.25%
0.05%
Percent of Service Area
Population
51.87%
48.13%
Chart 2: Service Area Map Low Income and LEP Populations
Table 14: Low Income Population
Total; Estimate; Population for
whom poverty status is determined
Service Area Low
Income Population
Below poverty level; Estimate;
Population for whom poverty
status is determined
Percent below poverty level;
Estimate; Population for whom
poverty status is determined
1,035,032
157,760
15.24%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey Table S1701- Poverty
Status in the Past 12 Months
Table 15: Hispanic Population Group
Hispanic or Latino Ethnic Group
Service Area
Population
White
Some Other Race
Two or More Races
Black or African American
American Indian and Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
Total Hispanic or Latino Service Area Poulation
Service Area English
Speaking Proficiency
Populaiton
48,904
62,490
7,622
5,133
1,591
370
154
126,264
Service Area Total
Population
Speak Only English
Speak Language Other than English
Speak English "very well"
Speak English less than "very well"
Total Service Area
806,385
168,284
89,184
79,100
974,669
Percent of Hispanic or
Latino Service Area
Population
38.73%
49.49%
6.04%
4.07%
1.26%
0.29%
0.12%
Percent within Population
Percent Population within
that speaks a language
Service Area
other than English
82.73%
17.27%
53.00%
9.15%
47.00%
8.12%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-2012 American Community Survey Table B16001- Language Spoken at Home by Ability to Speak English for the
Population 5 Years and Over
Chart 3: Service Area Map Employment Centers
Demographic Ridership and Travel Pattern, collected by Surveys
The following data was drawn from the 2010 CATS Rider Survey.
Question: Are you?
Race/Ethnicity
Total
RESPONDENTS 550
Male
55%
Female
45%
White
119
59%
41%
Af Am.
353
54%
46%
Income
Other
49
44%
56%
Hisp
28
61%
39%
<$50k
434
53%
47%
$50K+
113
60%
40%
Employment status
Un employ
Full Part
280
110
139
54% 61%
49%
46% 39%
51%
Question: Q5. About how long have you been using LYNX/CATS?
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
Less than 2 mo.
2 to 6 mo.
6 mo. to 1 yr.
1 to 2 yrs.
2 yrs. or more
550
7%
9%
11%
15%
57%
White
119
5%
7%
15%
24%
49%
Af Am.
353
8%
8%
10%
11%
64%
Other
49
13%
13%
9%
15%
49%
Income
Hisp
28
2%
28%
15%
28%
27%
<$50k
434
7%
9%
11%
12%
62%
$50K+
113
10%
10%
14%
26%
41%
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
280
110
139
8%
3%
10%
9% 11%
9%
10% 15%
11%
19% 10%
12%
54% 61%
57%
Question: Q7. How likely are you to continue to ride one year from now?
Race/Ethnicity
Total
RESPONDENTS
1=Definitely will not continue
2=Probably will not continue
3=Might or might not continue
4=Probably will continue
5=Definitely will continue
AVERAGE
550
4%
3%
12%
25%
56%
4.25
White
119
1%
7%
23%
69%
4.58
Af Am.
353
4%
4%
15%
24%
53%
4.19
Other
49
10%
7%
8%
31%
45%
3.94
Income
Hisp
28
6%
11%
30%
53%
4.25
<$50k
434
4%
4%
13%
25%
54%
4.20
$50K+
113
3%
9%
25%
63%
4.45
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
280
110
139
2%
4%
8%
2%
3%
5%
11% 11%
16%
25% 25%
24%
60% 56%
47%
4.38 4.26
3.98
Question: Q9r. Rate the level of importance of the statement to you as a LYNX/CATS rider:
Schedule/Route changes are communicated to me in an acceptable amount of time.
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
1=Low importance
2
3
4
5=High importance
AVERAGE
503
4%
3%
8%
22%
63%
4.36
White
102
2%
3%
3%
18%
73%
4.56
Af Am.
330
4%
2%
10%
24%
61%
4.37
Other
45
7%
11%
11%
16%
55%
4.01
Income
Hisp
25
13%
6%
22%
59%
4.14
<$50k
402
5%
3%
9%
22%
61%
4.32
$50K+
98
1%
2%
7%
24%
66%
4.53
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
255
97
134
3%
3%
5%
3%
2%
4%
7%
9%
8%
20% 19%
29%
67% 67%
53%
4.43 4.45
4.22
Q11. How many times will you board a CATS or LYNX vehicle today?
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6+
550
5%
35%
20%
22%
8%
11%
White
119
6%
58%
11%
15%
6%
5%
Af Am.
353
5%
25%
24%
24%
8%
14%
Other
49
5%
39%
15%
20%
8%
13%
Income
Hisp
28
5%
47%
11%
28%
8%
<$50k
434
3%
26%
23%
25%
10%
13%
$50K+
113
12%
65%
7%
11%
5%
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
280
110
139
5%
4%
6%
46% 30%
18%
18% 27%
18%
16% 24%
32%
5%
5%
15%
11% 10%
10%
Q14. What is your employment status?
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
Work full time
Work part-time
Not currently employed
Retired
550
51%
20%
25%
4%
White
119
70%
16%
10%
4%
Af Am.
353
46%
21%
30%
4%
Other
49
44%
16%
34%
7%
Income
Hisp
28
45%
36%
19%
<$50k
434
43%
24%
29%
4%
$50K+
113
79%
6%
11%
4%
Employment status
Un
employ
Full
Part
280
110
139
100% 100%
100%
Q16. Do you have a valid driver's license?
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
Yes
No
550
50%
50%
White
119
75%
25%
Af Am.
353
42%
58%
Other
49
52%
48%
Income
Hisp
28
37%
63%
<$50k
434
42%
58%
$50K+
113
79%
21%
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
280
110
139
65% 32%
30%
35% 68%
70%
Q17. Last year, what was your total household income, before taxes?
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
Less than $10k
$10k - $20k
$20k - $30k
$30k - $40k
$40k - $50k
$50k - $75k
$75k or more
547
33%
20%
13%
9%
6%
9%
11%
White
119
12%
7%
8%
11%
8%
19%
33%
Af Am.
352
39%
24%
14%
8%
5%
5%
3%
Other
48
43%
13%
3%
1%
3%
17%
21%
Income
Hisp
28
33%
19%
23%
16%
6%
2%
<$50k
434
42%
25%
16%
11%
7%
$50K+
113
46%
54%
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
278
110
139
19% 35%
62%
20% 27%
13%
12% 16%
11%
11% 11%
4%
7%
6%
2%
14% 3%
6%
19%
3%
2%
A_1. At which LYNX station were you when you were invited to participate in this survey?
Race/Ethnicy
Total
White
Af Am.
Other
Income
Hisp
<$50k
$50K+
Employment status
Full
Part
Un
employ
RESPONDENTS
Transit Center
109
58
32
13
6
46
61
82
15
11
29%
20%
50%
32%
19%
24%
36%
60%
20%
28%
2%
32%
13%
44%
I-485
8%
30%
25%
9%
Arrowood
14%
11%
15%
11%
7%
8%
41%
20%
3rd/Convention
9%
7%
11%
5%
25%
23%
7%
9%
5%
Tyvola
7%
10%
7%
3%
10%
8%
5%
Sharon Rd
7%
11%
2%
5%
13%
9%
3%
10%
9%
East/West
7%
7%
4%
5%
8%
9%
Woodlawn
5%
4%
7%
5%
5%
5%
New Bern
3%
2%
2%
2%
3%
3%
16%
38%
13%
13%
7%
5%
A_2. Which route did you take the day you were invited to participate in this survey?
(Asked of Express Riders Only)
Race/Ethnicy
Total
RESPONDENTS
54X University Research Park
Express
77X N. Mecklenburg Express
48X Huntersville Express
85X Gastonia Express
40X Albemarle Rd. Express
80X Concord Express
61X Arboretum Express
51X Idlewild Road Express
74X Union County Express
78X Celanese Express
Income
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
35
2
2
39
White
21
Af Am.
12
Other
5
Hisp
0
<$50k
15
$50K+
23
23%
15%
26%
55%
100%
18%
28%
26%
33%
23%
14%
12%
10%
9%
6%
1%
1%
1%
26%
17%
12%
9%
15%
5%
15%
15%
17%
17%
2%
6%
2%
25%
14%
11%
19%
23%
11%
2%
28%
14%
8%
2%
8%
9%
2%
22%
14%
12%
9%
7%
7%
1%
1%
1%
33%
22%
1%
1%
10%
5%
5%
4%
1%
11%
14%
29%
29%
29%
A_3. Which route did you take the day you were invited to participate in this survey?
(Asked of Local/Shuttle Riders Only)
Race/Ethnicy
Total
White
Af Am.
Other
Income
Hisp
<$50k
$50K+
Employment status
Un
employ
Full Part
RESPONDENTS
Central Ave.
North Tryon
Beatties Ford Rd.
Monroe Rd.
West Blvd
Shamrock Dr.
Tuckaseegee Rd.
Eastway Drive
Mt Holly Rd.
Sprinter
Arrowood
Providence
Country Club
Hidden Valley
Ashley Park
South Blvd
Queens Rd.
Crosstown
Nations Ford
UNCC
LaSalle
Double Oaks
Pence Road
Carowinds
Archdale/Southpark
Tyvola/Southpark
Village Rider-McCoy Rd
Village Rider-Huntersville
Jackson Park
Selwyn Ave.
402
13%
13%
10%
7%
6%
5%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
3%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
40
8%
16%
4%
8%
4%
4%
8%
4%
4%
4%
4%
8%
8%
4%
4%
8%
309
11%
13%
13%
7%
7%
5%
5%
3%
4%
4%
3%
3%
2%
3%
2%
3%
2%
2%
1%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
31
21%
16%
23
36%
7%
11%
7%
5%
11%
11%
7%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
7%
21%
7%
7%
373
13%
13%
11%
7%
6%
5%
4%
4%
3%
3%
4%
3%
3%
2%
1%
2%
2%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
1%
1%
1%
29
11%
11%
11%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
11%
6%
6%
6%
6%
6%
164
10%
14%
13%
11%
7%
4%
6%
2%
1%
7%
6%
3%
1%
2%
2%
2%
3%
3%
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
92
16%
16%
9%
9%
5%
7%
5%
4%
5%
2%
4%
4%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
4%
4%
127
16%
10%
8%
3%
4%
4%
3%
8%
6%
1%
5%
6%
3%
3%
4%
1%
1%
1%
4%
1%
3%
1%
3%
1%
1%
Appendix D: Results of Monitoring Program
79
Image 1: MTC Resolution Adopting 2014 Title VI Program
Page | 80
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Major Service Change Policy
Page | 82
Subject/Title:
Major Service Change and Fare
Change Reviews
Procedure No:
CATS CivR01
Previous Revision:
August 6, 2010
Revised Date:
February 26, 2014
Carolyn Flowers
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Transit
PURPOSE
This policy is established to comply with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI
regulations. In order to be in compliance with these regulations, CATS will ensure that
there is Title VI consideration whenever there is a major service change or a fare
change that could impact minority and low-income communities.
REFERENCES
Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 601 states: “No person in the United
States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or disability be
excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires applicants, recipients, and sub
recipients of Federal assistance to certify compliance with the requirements of Title VI as
part of the grant approval process. As part of that requirement, FTA Circular 4702.1B
requires transit agencies that serve urbanized areas of 200,000 people or greater to
evaluate significant system-wide service and fare changes at the planning and
programming stages to determine whether proposed changes would have a
discriminatory impact. For service changes, this requirement applies to “major service
changes” only and the recipient establishes guidelines or thresholds for what it
considers a “major service change”.
CATS MC01 Public Process for Fare and Service Changes
DEFINITIONS
Adverse effect – A geographical or temporal reduction in service, including but not
limited to the elimination of a route, shortening of a route, rerouting an existing route, or
an increase in headways.
Disparate Impact Threshold is defined as circumstance in which the estimated minority
population in a geographic area or surveyed route ridership sample exceeds the minority
population proportion for CATS’ overall geographic footprint or respectively system-wide
surveyed ridership. The sample population proportion must in addition exceed the
study’s margin of error.
Disproportionate Burden Threshold is defined as circumstance in which the estimated
low-income population in a geographic area or surveyed route ridership sample exceeds
the low-income population proportion for CATS’ overall geographic footprint or
respectively system-wide surveyed ridership. The sample population proportion must in
addition exceed the study’s margin of error.
Low-Income Population – For this procedure, “low-income population” is a population
whose median income is at or below the American Community Survey threshold, (proposed addition)
that by practice incorporates the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services poverty thresholds.
The current HHS thresholds are the default levels should there be a conflict.
Page | 83
Subject/Title: Major Service Change and Fare
Change Reviews
Procedure No: CATS CivR01
Revised Date: 02/26/2014
Low Income – Poverty rate by census tract as defined by the U.S. Census American
Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
Minority – In aggregate, not White and not of Hispanic ancestry population by race by
census tract as defined by the U.S. Census 2010 Decennial Census.
New Service Route – The start of a new bus, trolley or rail service
MAJOR SERVICE CHANGE DEFINED
A major service change review will occur whenever there is a major service change to
any transit service provided by CATS.
Major Service Changes include:
• Any change to an existing bus or light rail route that affects more than 25
percent of daily revenue miles
• Elimination of an existing transit route without replacement
• New service routes
The following service changes do not necessitate a major service change review:
• Changes to daily service on a route with fewer than 10 total trips in a typical
service day
• Route number, name, letter or other designation changes
• Any change or discontinuation of a demonstration or experimental route for
the duration of the route period
• Service changes on special service routes. Special service routes include,
but are not limited to, seasonal services and demonstration service
• Route changes caused by an emergency. Emergencies include, but are not
limited to, detours, inadequate fuel supplies, major road construction, major
rail construction, bridge collapse and labor strikes
• Any service change which does not meet the conditions of a major service
change as defined in Section 4.1
FARE OR FARE MEDIA CHANGES
CATS’ Marketing and Communications Division will conduct a fare change review
whenever a permanent fare change is scheduled or a fare media change is planned.
Fare changes include:
• Any change to the passenger fare charged by the organization for service
• Any change to the type of media used in consideration for
fare
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Subject/Title: Major Service Change and Fare
Change Reviews
Procedure No: CATS CivR01
Revised Date: 02/26/2014
The following changes do not necessitate a fare change review:
• Special event days in which all system passengers ride free
• Temporary fare reductions as a mitigation measure for passengers impacted by
disruptions of service
• Promotional or temporary fare reductions lasting less than six months
POLICY
CATS will conduct a major service change review on proposed service changes that
qualify as Major Service Changes as defined above, to determine if the proposed
changes would have disproportionate adverse effects on minority and low-income
populations.
CATS will conduct a fare change review on proposed fare or fare media type changes to
determine if the proposed changes would have disproportionate adverse effects on
minority and low-income populations.
FTA guidelines allow the implementation of fare changes or major service changes that
would have disproportionate adverse effects on minority and low-income populations,
provided the recipient demonstrates that the proposed change meets a substantial need
that is in the public interest and that the alternatives would have worse adverse effects
than the proposed change. CATS shall consider the degree of adverse effects, and
analyze those effects, when planning major service changes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
CATS Marketing and Communications Division
CATS’ Marketing and Communications Division develops and oversees the fare
change process; develops fare media types; oversees fare media type changes;
establishes targets and objectives for each fare/media change; and develops
fare/media change proposals. CATS’ Marketing and Communications Division
conducts a fare change review using available rider data for any fare/media
changes.
CATS’ Marketing and Communications Division manages the public information
and communication process for fare/media changes and major service changes
as outlined in CATS MC01 Public Process for Fare and Service Changes.
Service Development Review Committee (SDRC)
CATS’ functional committee, the Service Development Review Committee
(SDRC),
is
composed
of
CATS
Operations
Planning
and
Scheduling, Customer Service, Bus Operations Division, Special Transportation
Services, Public Information, and Facilities Maintenance staff. The SDRC is
chaired by the Manager of Service Development.
The SDRC develops and oversees the service change process, establishes
targets and objectives for each service change, and reviews and provides
feedback on service change proposals. The SDRC conducts a major service
change review whenever there is a major service change to any transit service
provided by CATS.
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Subject/Title: Major Service Change and Fare
Change Reviews
Procedure No: CATS CivR01
Revised Date: 02/26/2014
CATS Civil Rights Section
CATS Civil Rights reviews fare change / major service change reviews and either
accepts them or recommends changes.
REVIEWS
Major Service Change Reviews
The SDRC will conduct a major service change review that may include, but is
not limited to:
• An assessment of the effects of the proposed service change on minority and
low-income populations using available rider data
• An analysis of information gathered from rider surveys or public input
• Demographically mapping the service area or planning area and identifying
the census tracts with a percentage of minority or low-income populations at
or higher than the demographic thresholds. These tracts are considered
minority or low income for the purpose of Title VI analysis.
• Assessment of the available service alternatives
• Determination of disparate and disproportionate impacts that would preclude
the organization from implementing the service change
• Description of measures, if necessary, taken to avoid, minimize or mitigate
the negative impacts of the proposed service change
If the major service change review concludes that the proposed service change
does not have an adverse effect on the service area with census tracts or
ridership survey populations that contain a percentage of minority or low-income
populations at or higher than the demographic thresholds, no further analysis is
necessary.
If it is determined that a disproportionately high percentage of minority or lowincome populations is adversely effected by the proposed service change, CATS
must define each of the impacts, review alternatives to the service changes,
determine the adverse effects of the alternative service on the effected
populations, and determine ways to mitigate the adverse effects.
The mitigation plan must be communicated to the public and must be
incorporated with the normal public outreach and comment process.
Fare Change Reviews
CATS Marketing and Communications will submit fare change reviews to CATS
Civil Rights at least six months prior to the proposed fare or fare media change
when the fare or fare media change is known more than 12 months in advance. If
a fare or fare media change is planned with less than 12 months’ advanced
notice, a fare change review must be submitted to CATS Civil Rights at least 90
days prior to the proposed change. The fare change review must include the
following elements:
• An assessment of the effects of the proposed fare/media change on minority
and low-income populations using available rider data
• An analysis of information generated by fare / media payment type
• A comparison of the fares paid or media used under the proposed changes
with the fares paid and media used through available alternatives
• Determination of disparate and disproportionate impacts that would preclude
the organization from implementing the fare / media changes
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Subject/Title: Major Service Change and Fare
Change Reviews
Procedure No: CATS CivR01
Revised Date: 02/26/2014
Description of measures, if necessary, taken to avoid, minimize or mitigate
the negative impacts of the proposed fare / media change
• Process to incorporate public input into the review and potential mitigation
efforts
RECORDS REQUIRED
CATS Marketing and Communications and the Manager of Service Development will
maintain records of their respective reviews.
•
The Office of Civil Rights will maintain copies of the reviews.
Changes
Entire document: Made organizational and minor wording changes to improve clarity
3.0
4.1
4.2
5.0
6.0
7.2
8.1
8.2
9.0
Revised definition of Low-Income Population and added the remaining definitions.
Deleted “A greater than 25% reduction in route miles for any set of routes or any single route
(except as outlined in Section 4.2) being modified within a corridor”
Added “Any change to an existing bus or light rail route that affects more than 25 percent of daily
revenue miles”
Deleted “The restructuring of transit service throughout a corridor as defined by CATS”
Added “New service routes”
Deleted “Seasonal service changes”
Added “Changes to daily service on a route with fewer than 10 total trips in a typical service day”
Deleted “Any change or discontinuation of an experimental service for the duration of the
experiment”
Deleted “Creation of new routes”
Deleted “Bus stop amenity changes”
Deleted “Any service change resulting in less than three hours of service reduction on a daily
basis, even if the reduction entails 25% of the route miles”
Added section: Fare or Fare Media Changes
Added last sentence: “CATS shall consider the degree of adverse effects, and analyze those
effects, when planning major service changes.”
Added “Customer Service, Bus Operations Division, Special Transportation Services, Public
Information, and Facilities Maintenance staff” to the list of members of the Service Development
Review Committee.
Third bullet: Replaced “census tracts that contain 34% or greater minority and low-income
population” with “census tracts with a percentage of minority or low-income populations at or
higher than the demographic thresholds.” Also added last sentence: “These tracts are considered
minority or low income for the purpose of Title VI analysis.”
Added last two paragraphs.
Added first paragraph.
Deleted “An analysis of information gathered from rider surveys or public input”
Deleted “An assessment of fare/media alternatives”
Added “ Process to incorporate public input into the review and potential mitigation efforts”
Added “CATS Marketing and Communications and the Manager of Service Development will
maintain records of their respective reviews.”
Page | 87
Public Engagement Process: Major Service Change Policy, Disparate Impact Policy, and
disproportionate burden policy
The Major Service Change and Fare Equity Policy (named CivR01 internally) was posted as “Public
Commentary: Service/Fare Change Equity Policy) online from December 30, 2013 until January 20, 2014.
As well, the notice of public comment was sent out via the City’s “Notify Me” electronic distribution
system to including residents who had signed up for notification of: CATS General Information, Pass &
Fare Updates, CATS Committees and CATS Rider Alerts. Two scenarios demonstrating how the policies
would be implemented for Disparate Impact and Disproportionate burden were supplied to facilitate
understanding.
CATS customer services was notified that the public comment period has begun and to forward
messages to the Civil Rights staff during this period. The notice produced sparse commentary with only
one directly on point where staff responded by adjusting the scenarios to address the concerns of
committee member that they were too simplified and could results in errors.
The Metropolitan Transit Commission received a presentation on the draft policy document at the
January 22, 2014 meeting. This meeting was open for public commentary, none was recorded.
Below is an example of the electronic notice in English and the MTC minutes from that meeting.
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Results of service and/or fare equity analysis conducted since the last Title VI Program
submission:
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Road
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela White
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Partial Route Discontinuation of 98 McCoy
January 21, 2014
The Countywide Transit Service Plan FY 2012-2017 (CTSP) was adopted by the
Metropolitan Transit Commission in February 2012. The CTSP is developed to provide
strategic analysis and recommendations for public transit service enhancements over a five
year period. The plan focuses on three services; local bus service,
neighborhood/community bus service, and express bus service. This focus allows CATS to
make recommendations concerning the type and quality of future bus services in the region.
The Route 98 McCoy Road’s routing was altered to adhere to a partial CTSP
recommendation change in the February 2013 Service Change. Since February 2013, the
land uses in North Mecklenburg County have changed, causing a shift in the demand for
bus service. As a result, CATS is proposing to discontinue a portion of the Route 98 to
realign service in North Mecklenburg County. At the request of the Town of Huntersville,
CATS will alter two of the three Village Riders to better serve the destinations with high
demands and to continue to serve the popular destinations that are currently served today.
As part of the proposed discontinuation, direct service to the North Mecklenburg Library and
surrounding destinations on the Route 98 will no longer be available. However, service to
the North Mecklenburg Library will be maintained. Customers CATS may transfer to the
Route 97 Cornelius to access North Mecklenburg Library and surrounding destinations.
According to the US Census Report, the Route 98 does not operate within census tracts
with disproportionately high percentage of low income or minority residents. But, a
subsequent on-board ridership survey identified a disproportionately high percentage of low
income riders utilizing the service.
Although there will be a discontinued area between Huntersville Gateway and Sam Furr Rd,
all the major destinations will continue to be served. In addition, customers traveling within
three-quarters of a mile of a Village Rider Route may maintain service by using deviated
service requests to reach current destinations. CATS will mitigate potential effects upon low
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income riders by incorporating within the service change public notification a component
educating potential riders along the route on “how to request deviated route service”. The
Huntersville Gateway will continue to serve as the primary transfer point for all of the Village
Riders. If the proposal is approved, the implementation will be in March 2014.
Route Elimination Background
Route 98 McCoy Road is a Village Rider Community shuttle providing shuttle service from
Hambright Rd & McCoy Rd to the North Mecklenburg Library via the Huntersville Gateway.
This route operates from (6:45am – 7:20pm) on weekdays, (9:45am – 7:45pm) on
Saturdays, and (9:45 – 6:22pm) on Sundays. The route provides 60 minute service
throughout the day.
In March 2014, only a portion of the Route 98 McCoy Road will be discontinued. The
discontinued portion will be reinvested in to the route to serve CPCC Merancas and other
destinations on Verhoeff Rd.
Minority Population by Residence
Minority population is defined as non-white persons, those of Hispanic origin, or those not
having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Using 2010 Census data, the average minority population (Non-White and Non-Hispanic)
within the Mecklenburg County 46.6%, census units with minority population greater than
46.6% is defined as predominantly minority areas. The Route 98 does not operate in any
minority Census Tracts. The total minority population within the Route 98 McCoy Road
service area is 23%. Charts of the minority population for each Census Tract are included
in Attachment #1.
Low-Income Population by Residence
Low income means a person whose median household income is at or below the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) poverty guidelines. The DHHS
Poverty guideline thresholds are based on household sizes and incomes. The 2010 US
Census used nearly identical thresholds to define poverty. Using 2010 Census data the
Percentage of Poverty individuals in the Mecklenburg County is 13.6%. Census units with
population greater than 13.6% are defined as predominantly low-income areas. A chart of
the low income statistics in which the Route 98 McCoy Road operates are included in
Attachment #1. Overall, the average Low Income population in the Census Tracts of the
Route 98’s service area is 7%.
Determination of Disparate/Disproportionate Impacts per Ridership Survey
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The United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2008-2012) defined
minimum household income for a household of three people to be above the poverty line as
having an annual household income of more than $18,284. According to the responses,
50% of the respondents indicated that their household income was below the poverty level.
33% indicated that their income was between 15,000 and 24,999.
Only one respondent indicated that their household income was positively above the
poverty level for a three person household. The majority of customers surveyed indicated
that they were living at or below the poverty level. In comparison, 93% of the population in
the Route 98’s Census Tracts is above the poverty level. The survey indicated that the
majority of passengers boarding the bus initiated their trip from the McCoy Road and
Toronto Place area. This area will maintain the same level of service. Although the route
structure is changing on Route 98, the Village Rider network will allow passengers to
access the all of the same locations. A passenger on the Route 98 will have the option to
transfer to another route or to call for deviated service for a prearranged trip.
Analysis Conclusion:
CATS has concluded that the proposed adjustments do not have a disparate impact on
minorities. Route 98 does not qualify as a minority bus route and the onboard survey did not
identify any disparity. But staff has concluded there is the potential of having a
disproportionate burden on low income riders, who when surveyed appeared
disproportionately high in comparison to the low income residential and system-wide
numbers.
Public Outreach and Customer Input
On December 5, 2013, CATS held a public meeting to discuss changes to the North
Mecklenburg Village Riders. As part of that meeting, CATS personnel discussed the
proposed changes to the Route 98. The meeting notification was printed in English and
Spanish. CATS website where the electronic notices were posted translates into more than
50 languages. The meeting was held at the North Mecklenburg Library located at 16500
Holly Crest Lane Huntersville, NC 28078. The meeting was held 11:30am until1:00 pm.
CATS provided notification of the meeting utilizing CATS email subscriber, printed notice in
the Charlotte Observer, and a press release to the local media. The meeting was designed
to discuss the proposed changes to the Route 98. One resident attended the meeting. In
addition to the one resident CATS’ staff surveyed twelve during an onboard customer
survey. During both the public meeting and the onboard customer survey customers were
informed of the route changes and were asked to give their feedback.
Assessing the Service Alternatives
Page | 120
CATS has a proposed and presented multiple route scenarios to the Town of Huntersville.
The proposed route structure was agreed upon and advocated for by the Town of
Huntersville. The proposed routing will best serve the destinations in North Mecklenburg.
Mitigation Actions Taken to Offset the Effects
The major effect of the proposed change is the discontinuation of the portion of the Route
98 on Statesville Rd between Huntersville Gateway and the North Mecklenburg Library and
the destinations that surround the library. The proposed routing will allow passengers to
transfer at the Huntersville Gateway to the Route 97 Cornelius. The Route 97 will continue
to serve the North Mecklenburg Library and the surrounding destinations. Alternatively
passengers can still call for deviated service to reach any destination that falls within threequarters of one of these Village Rider Routes.
CATS’ staff has proposed as part of its service change notification an education component
informing potential riders about the “how to request deviated route service””. Notification
materials will incorporate information on this alternative service. The use of this service will
assist riders in mitigating potential adverse effects such as additional transfers, wait times,
and walking distances. By simply calling for a pre-arranged trip, the Route 98 passengers
will be able to access the discontinued areas. Staff will target notifications to Route 98
passengers, residents and the general public. The materials will detail steps to reach
current destinations via the request for route deviation.
Attachments
Attachment #1- Route 98 Route Census Information
Attachment #2-CATS Minority Service Area
Attachment #3 CATS Poverty Area Tracts with Routes
Attachment #4 CATS Poverty Area Tracts with Routes and Stops
Attachment #5 CATS Poverty Area Tracts
Attachment #6 CATS Minority Service Area with Routes
Attachment #7 CATS Minority Service Area with Routes and Stops
Attachment #8 Route 98 McCoy Rd
Page | 121
2014 Fare Equity Analysis
Page | 122
Charlotte Area Transit System
Fare Equity Analysis
For FY2015 Proposed Fare Increase
Updated April 30, 2014
Page | 123
Table of Contents
.................................................................................................................................................................. 124
.................................................................................................................................................................. 125
................................................................................................................................................................. 127
AREA AND RIDERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS .................................................................................................. 127
2: CATS Service Area Demographics........................................................................................................ 128
INPUT ....................................................................................................................................................... 129
VI REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR FTA RECIPIENTS .................................................................... 132
.................................................................................................................................................................. 132
BY SERVICE BY FARE TYPE .................................................................................................................... 133
SERVICES .......................................................................................................................................... 133
(LIGHT RAIL) SERVICES ..................................................................................................................... 133
DEPENDENT CUSTOMER INFO ................................................................................................................. 134
ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................................................. 134
REDUCTION IMPACT ................................................................................................................................ 136
FARE INCREASE MITIGATION EFFORTS .................................................................................................... 137
EFFORTS .................................................................................................................................................. 139
RIGHTS STAFF MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS (ADOPTED) .............................................................. 140
MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS (ADOPTED) ...................................................................................... 141
(Board) FARE EQUITY ANALYSIS ADOPTION ........................................................................................... 141
APPROVAL OF THE FY15 FARE INCREASE. ............................................................................................... 141
B: PUBLIC PROCESS FOR FARE AND SERVICE CHANGE ............................................................................ 147
C: PUBLIC INPUT- CUSTOMER SERVICES AND HEARING COMMENTARY. ............................................... 149
D: LIST OF DISCOUNTED FARE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS JULY 1, 2012- JUNE 30, 2013. ................. 196
TABLES
1: U.S. Census .......................................................................................................................................... 127
2: CATS Service Area Demographics........................................................................................................ 128
3: Proposed Fare Increase (before March 26, 2014 Public Hearing) ...................................................... 128
4 : Adjusted Proposed Fare Increase (after March 26, 2014 Public Hearing) ........................................ 131
5: Low-Income/Minority Customer Percentages .................................................................................... 132
6: Bus Analysis by Fare Media ................................................................................................................. 133
7: LYNX Analysis by Fare Media............................................................................................................... 134
8: Transit Dependent Customers ............................................................................................................ 134
Page | 124
9: Fare Increase and Service Reduction .................................................................................................. 136
SUMMARY
Since 2000, the policy board for CATS, the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), has used a Fare
Policy to provide guidance on when and by how much a fare should be increased along with
requirements for public input (APPENDIX B: PUBLIC PROCESS FOR FARE AND SERVICE CHANGE and
APPENDIX A: MTC FARE POLICY). The MTC Fare Policy provides for a fare increase every two years up
to $.25 cent on the base fare and corresponding increases on other media and services as outlined in
the fare policy.
Since FY2013 (July 1, 2012) when the last fare increase of .25 cents occurred CATS has seen increases
and decreases in operating revenue sources along with increases in operating expenses. The net effect
of the operating revenue and expense projected for FY2015 without any fare increase is a $2.8 million
gap in revenue. To make up the gap CATS is proposing a .20 cent increase in the base fare as oppose to
reducing service levels as that action would have an adverse effect on 47% of CATS customers who
solely rely on transit for their transportation.
An analysis was conducted on two customer groups, Low-Income and Minority riders of the bus and rail
systems, against their use of different media types (passes, tickets, cash fares, etc.). The analysis
indicates that the proposed fare change has been applied equitably across all fare types and services.
However, with 75% of CATS riders being minority and 27% classified as low-income, there is an inherit
disparate impact on minority and disproportionate burden on low-income customers at a macro-level,
even though the fare increase as a percent of increase for each media type is applied across all fare
types, services and customers. Greater proportions of these two groups when surveyed ride on and
show transit dependency for CATS services than reside (US Census) in the services area.
The proposed $.20 cent base fare increase represents a 10% increase. This proposed increase is system
wide with an average increase of 10%, with some fare media receiving an increase ranging from 6.7 % to
12.8% due to rounding to the nearest usable monetary unit and to bring some media types in line with
fare policy guidelines. The actual monetary increase ranges from $.10 to $0.40 for a single fare and
from $.85 to $16.00 for a multiple use pass. Table 3: Proposed Fare Increase contains the proposed fare
increase by media type published to the community beginning January 23, 2014.
It is the recommendation of staff that education of available media type options and their benefits
continue to customers in the low-income and minority segments if the fare increase is approved.
After the March 26, 2014 Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2015 Fare Increase, staff adjusted the
“Weekly Pass” fare increase from 12.8% to 10% to fall in line with the average (mode) fare increase
percentage. The “Weekly Pass” is a discounted fare media type identified as a target for the mitigation
efforts. And as staff is attempting to redirect minority and low income riders toward this more
economical fare media type, it was thought to be more equitable to reduce the proposed fare increase
to match the average (mode) fare increase.
On April 23, 2014, the MTC adopted this FY2015 Fare Equity Analysis including the input from several
sources Including:
• CATS Marketing and Public Relations staff who co-produced the analysis.
• The recommendation of CATS Civil Rights staff who co-produced the analysis, to review and
work closely with non-profits receiving volume discounts to identify gaps were there may be
demand shortfalls.
• Transit Services Advisory Committee (TSAC) Rep. Mr. Scott Jernigan’s suggestion to create the
option at the Charlotte Transportation Center for patrons to present and get credit for the
purchase amount of a single ride passes (at a set time limit) toward the purchase of a more
Page | 125
economical fare media type such are daily pass, 10-ride pass, weekly pass or monthly pass. Mr.
Jernigan also asked that staff consider (at some future point) creating a map of CATS services
area in particular the uptown area pinpointing the locations of non-profits receiving volume
discounts and their hours & contact information.
Before the vote and as part of their meeting packets, the MTC members were provided this updated
document including summaries of public comments on the fare pricing, related transit issues and CATS
responses. In an appendix, copies of the actual comments and responses were provided for their
review. The MTC Chairperson called for additional comments from the public at the meeting and before
the vote, but there were none provided.
Page | 126
DEFINITIONS
The following charts and analysis refer to low-income and minority populations as well as the system
wide ridership population. For clarification, the data available for this analysis defines these groups as:
Poverty Level: Poverty rate by block group as defined by the U.S Census American Community
Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
Low income: CATS used household income of $10,000 and below to represent low income
households. CATS used the demographics percentage for household of $10,000 or less obtained
from CATS Fall 2011 On-Board Customer Survey conducted across the entire CATS system.
Ridership amounts represented in the analysis is derived from this demographic percentage
applied to CATS unlinked passengers.
Minority: CATS used all non-white categories as minorities. CATS used the demographics
percentage for race obtained from CATS Fall 2011 On-Board Customer Survey conducted across
the entire CATS system. Ridership amounts represented in the analysis is derived from the
demographic percentage applied to CATS unlinked passengers.
System wide: CATS used the statistics obtained from the CATS Fall 2011 On-Board Customer
Survey conducted across the entire CATS system. Ridership amounts represented in the analysis
is derived from the statistics applied to CATS unlinked passenger trips.
Service Area: The areas along CATS bus and rail routes including a ¾ mile buffer
CATS Customer Satisfaction Survey: CATS periodically conducts an annual on-board survey of
customers obtaining their perceptions and attitudes toward public transit and management of
the system along with ratings on 40 customer service elements. Also obtained is demographic
and usage information including fare media. The results from the most current survey were
used in developing this analysis. The survey conducted in the fall 2011 was representative of
CATS ridership across all service types and day and week parts with information accurate at the
95% confidence interval with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.9%.
SERVICE AREA AND RIDERSHIP DEMOGRAPHICS
The Charlotte Area Transit System operates in Mecklenburg County with feeder express routes servicing
most of the surrounding counties. The service area is 435 square miles consisting of 74 bus routes, a 9.4
mile light rail line, para-transit services and customer operated vanpools generating over 26 million
unlinked passenger trips in FY2013. Mecklenburg County has a more diverse population than the state
of North Carolina with minorities representing more of the general population.
The Median and Per Capital income in Mecklenburg County is 21% and 28% higher respectively than the
state of North Carolina. Table 1: U.S. Census illustrates the 2010 demographics representing
Mecklenburg County with a minority population of 45% and person below the poverty level at 12.5%.
Further analysis of 2010 census data within the three-quarter mile radius of CATS routes indicate that
11.85% of the surrounding population is at or below the poverty level and that 46.68% of the population
is a minority. (Table 2: CATS Service Area Demographics)
Table 1: U.S. Census
Page | 127
Table 2: CATS Service Area Demographics
Service Area
CATS
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Minority Proportion
of Population
46.68%
Low Income
Proportion of
Population
11.85%
Table 3: Proposed Fare Increase (before March 26, 2014 Public Hearing)
Figure 1
Cost
Change
Existing
Proposed
Absolute
Percent
Local
$2.00
$2.20
$0.20
10.0%
LYNX
$2.00
$2.20
$0.20
10.0%
Express (within Mecklenburg County)
$2.75
$3.00
$0.25
9.1%
Express Plus (surrounding counties)
STS(ADA)
$4.00
$3.20
$4.40
$3.50
$0.40
$0.30
10.0%
9.4%
Reverse Commute Express
Neighborhood Services
$2.00
$0.80
$2.20
$0.90
$0.20
$0.10
10.0%
12.5%
People 62 years and up & people with disabilities
Local
$1.00
$1.10
$0.10
10.0%
$1.00
$1.40
$1.10
$1.50
$0.10
$0.10
10.0%
7.1%
$2.00
$2.20
$0.20
10.0%
Local
LYNX
$1.00
$1.00
$1.10
$1.10
$0.10
$0.10
10.0%
10.0%
Express
Express Plus
$1.40
$2.00
$1.50
$2.20
$0.10
$0.20
7.1%
10.0%
Weekly Pass*
$20.00
$22.55
$2.55
12.8%
Monthly Pass*
Express Monthly Pass*
$80.00
$110.00
$88.00
$121.00
$8.00
$11.00
10.0%
10.0%
Express Plus Monthly Pass*
STS (ADA) Monthly Pass*
$160.00
$128.00
$176.00
$140.00
$16.00
$12.00
10.0%
9.4%
Senior/ADA Local Monthly Pass*
Senior/ADA Express Monthly Pass*
$40.00
$55.00
$44.00
$60.50
$4.00
$5.50
10.0%
10.0%
Senior/ADA Express Plus Monthly Pass*
$80.00
$88.00
10 Ride Local Pass**
$17.00
$18.70
$8.00
$1.70
10.0%
10.0%
10 Ride Express Pass**
$23.40
$25.75
10 Ride Express Plus Pass**
$34.00
$37.40
$2.35
$3.40
10.0%
10.0%
STS Yellow Tickets(Book of 10)
ADA 10 Ride: People 62 years and up & people with disabilities
$32.00
$8.50
$35.00
$9.35
$3.00
$0.85
9.4%
10.0%
Media Type
LYNX
Express
Express Plus
Youth/Student(grades K-12)
Passes
Transfers
Local/LYNX to Express
$0.75
$0.80
$0.05
6.7%
Local/LYNX to Express Plus
Express to Express Plus
$2.00
$1.25
$2.20
$1.40
$0.20
$0.15
10.0%
12.0%
Community Shuttle to Local/LYNX
$1.20
$1.30
$0.10
8.3%
Community Shuttle to Express
Community Shuttle to Express Plus
$1.95
$3.20
$2.15
$3.50
$0.20
$0.30
10.3%
9.4%
* indicates Unlim ited Rides / ** pass already discounted; not available for further discounts
Proposed Fare Increase
Page | 128
PUBLIC INPUT
As prescribed by CATS fare policy, the public is notified of a proposed fare increase and given the
opportunity to provide input in several forms including a public hearing before CATS policy board, the
MTC. The public is required to receive notification at least 30 days prior to the public hearing of the
proposed fare increase and at least 90 days before any proposed fare increases are to take effect.
Excerpt from the policy:
Proposed fare increases will be published for public review and comment no less than 90 days
before the proposed changes are to take place. A public hearing/meeting will be held to hear
and consider comments no less than 30 days after the published notice. The public hearing for
fare increases shall follow the MTC Rules of Procedures section 7(b) “Procedures for Public
Hearings.”
A summary of the comments and effects of changes in regard to energy conservation, economy,
environmental and social impacts will be provided to the Transit Services Advisory Committee
and the Metropolitan Transit Commission. Notice of the final changes will be posted on CATS
revenue operated vehicles, through other communication avenues, at the Charlotte
Transportation Center, and at other CATS transit centers and stations.
On January 23, 2014 CATS initiated communications to riders and the public regarding the proposed fare
increase scheduled to occur on July 1, 2014 along with the opportunity to speak at a public hearing
before the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) scheduled for March 26, 2014. In addition,
customers may submit their comments in writing via mail or e-mail and the comments will be provided
to the MTC at least two weeks prior to voting on the proposed fare increase. The advance notification
for the public hearing and proposed enactment of the proposed fare increase as required by CATS
policies were met.
CATS used several communications medium to inform the customers and public including:
1. Rider alerts:
a. Display printer material on revenue vehicles in English and Spanish with options for
other translations upon request.
b. Electronic through e-subscriptions
2. Website with option for on-line translation of information via Google Translate to most any
language.
3. Press Releases
4. Newspaper ads
Transit Service Advisory Committee (TSAC) Participation.
In addition to these communications, CATS presented the proposed fare increase to the Transit Service
Advisory Committee (TSAC) at their regularly scheduled March 13, 2014 meeting. TSAC received reports
on the public comments from the March MTC Public Hearing on the FY2015 Fare Increase and an
update on the fare increase. TSAC Representative Mr. Scott Jernigan attended the April 23, 2014 MTC
meeting to relay the committee’s recommendations and suggestions. MTC members voted to
incorporate the primary recommendation into the Mitigation Plan.
MTC Public Comments Presentation and Notification.
The following is a summary of comments from citizens and residents including those from the March 26,
2014 Public Hearing for the FY15 Proposed Fare Increase. Note: Staff has included comments submitted
to CATS Customer Services before and after the hearing. Before the April 23, 2014 analysis vote, MTC
Page | 129
members received a presentation on and were provided summaries of public comments on the fare
pricing, related transit issues and CATS responses. They in addition received copies of the actual
comments and responses for their review. During the April 23, 20145 meeting, the MTC Chairperson
called for additional comments from the public before the vote, but there were none provided.
Public Comments in Summary- Updated April 14, 2014 Post-MTC Public Hearing.
Example Customer Services Comment 1:
Ms. Alba C. Manosalvas sent in a letter in Spanish to CATS customer services before the hearing. In
summary she commented that she is an elderly woman with a permanently injured knee. Her living
expenses are steadily increasing and are already expensive. She works 7 days a week but is limited to 30
hours a week. And she believes the majority of Charlotte residents are like her part time workers, who
cannot afford the proposed increases.
Example Customer Services Comment 2:
On March 26, 2014 an anonymous comment was received by customer services worded as though he or
she was speaking at the public hearing. The person stated he or she is a longtime client of CATS and the
Charlotte Transportation Center. They asked that CATS reconsider the fare increase for STS (paratransit
services) Yellow cards and Passes. The person commented that STS is offering less service than in the
past. He or she believes there increase will amount to 20% of the living expenses for the average
customer who is already on government assistance. The person relayed that the primary obstacle to
disabled patrons employment is transportation. In the alternative to an increase, he or she would
instead like to see CATS follow the examples of states where there are significantly discounted passes
for disabled patrons.
Email Customer Services Comments Summary 3: (See Document in the Appendix C- page 38)
There were additionally several customer comments sent in via email. Their comments ranged from
complaints about the condition of the on-vehicle fare box operation, in-equality of treatment, increase
in fares beyond inflationary rates, cutting CATS employee compensation, the condition of buses and onboard systems, route design, buses by-passing passengers, drivers attitudes (negative and positive), that
revenue shortfalls are consistently overstated during each fare increase period, low income and middle
class riders incapability to withstand the additional cost and that children over 5 should not be charged
fares.
MTC Public Hearing onsite Comments: Summary (See Document in the Appendix C- page 47)
Twelve members of the public made comments opposing the proposed fare increase during the March
26,, 2014 Public Hearing. Many cited concerns about the impact of an increase on lower-income transitdependent riders. Several stated that costs are rising in household budgets for fuel, heat, water, food
and other necessities; if transit fares also increase, that will be too much for fixed budgets to absorb.
Some speakers suggested ways to increase revenue without raising fares such as fixing inoperable fare
boxes or urged CATS to come up with alternative revenue sources. Speakers also cited concerns about
customer service issues, bus and rider cleanliness and route scheduling concerns.
Transit System Responses to Common Inquiries in Comments:
Alternative Revenue Sources: CATS began on-vehicle advertising programs on both light rail and route
vehicles in FY2011 to offset revenue shortfalls. These revenue sources have been effective, but not so
much as to offset lost contributions from state sources and reduced interest income. (See Financial
Analysis Section). Staff has taken steps to review additional revenue options in an effort to assist in
offsetting inflationary costs and reductions in contributions.
Fare Box Technology Update: CATS is moving in the direction to upgrade all the fare boxes on the buses
and add equipment at each light rail stations. The solicitation for proposals for a new fare box system is
scheduled for later this year. That system is planned to include bar code reading so mobile app
generated tickets can be used on the bus and rail. Fare box systems for the size of CATS typically cost in
the rage of $7-8 million to replace so the investment must last for 10-15 years. The current fare box
Page | 130
system installed is a 1998 installation. Once the City makes a decision, it will take approximately a year
to upgrade the entire system. CATS anticipates a decision and to begin to have the technology installed
in late 2014 and 2015. But as there are over 325 buses and all the interconnection that occur with other
system, it does take a while to replace an entire fleet.
STS Yellow Cards & Passes: The US Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.121 require paratransit fares to be comparable to the fare for a
trip between the same points on the regular fixed route transit system. “Comparable” is defined in DOT
ADA regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.131(c) as not more than twice the fare that would be charged to
an individual paying full fare for a trip of similar length, at a similar time of day, on the entity’s fixed
route system, exclusive of discounts. CATS STS fare and passes are priced less than this threshold. In
comparison, the majority of comparable transit agencies and those located in proximity to Charlotte
charge just under or actually twice their fare rate (see below and the Appendix C). The proposed
increase on the STS fare and passes is slightly less than the 10% (mode) average proposed for the
majority of fare starting in FY 2015.
Pass Rate Update: After the March 26, 2014 Public Hearing on the Proposed FY 2015 Fare Increase, staff
adjusted the “Weekly Pass” fare increase from 12.8% to 10% to fall in line with the average (mode) fare
increase percentage. The “Weekly Pass” is discounted fare media type identified as a target for the
mitigation efforts. And as staff is attempting to redirect minority and low income riders toward this
more economical fare media type, it was thought to be more equitable to reduce the proposed fare
increase to match the average (mode) fare increase. The adjusted table appears below:
Table 4 : Adjusted Proposed Fare Increase (after March 26, 2014 Public Hearing)
Media Type
Current Fare / Passes
Proposed Fares July 1, 2014 Percentage Increase
Actual Increase
LYNX
$2.00
$2.20
10.00%
$0.20
Express routes within Mecklenburg County
$2.75
$3.00
9.20%
$0.25
Express Plus routes to neighboring Counties
STS (ADA Service)
Reverse Commute Express
$4.00
$3.20
$2.00
$4.40
$3.50
$2.20
10.00%
9.40%
10.00%
$0.40
$0.30
$0.20
Activity Center Services: Gold Rush
Village Riders, Beatties Ford, Eastland, Hidden Valley and
other neighborhood services
FREE
$0.80
FREE
$0.90
N/A
12.50%
FREE
$0.10
People 62 years and up & people with disabilities, with a
valid Transit ID or Medicare card.
(Local/LYNX/Express/Express Plus)
$1.00/$1.00/$1.40/$2.0 $1.10/$1.10/$1.50/$2.20
0
10%/10%/7.2%/10%
10¢/10¢/10¢/20¢
Children 5 and under, accompanied by an adult
Youth/Student (grades K-12) with a valid school or Transit
ID (Children 12 and under are to be accompanied by an
adult) (Local/LYNX/Express/Express Plus)
FREE
FREE
$1.00/$1.00/$1.40/$2.0 $1.10/$1.10/$1.50/$2.20
0
N/A
10%/10%/7.2%/ 10%
N/A
10¢/10¢/10¢/
20¢
Passes
Weekly Pass*
Monthly Pass*
Express Monthly Pass*
Express Plus Monthly Pass*
ADA Monthly Pass*
$20.00
$80.00
$110.00
$160.00
$128.00
$22.00
$88.00
$121.00
$176.00
$140.00
10.00%
10.00%
10.00%
10.00%
9.40%
$2.00
$8.00
$11.00
$16.00
$12.00
Senior /ADA Local Monthly Pass*
$40.00
$44.00
10.00%
$4.00
Senior/ADA Express Monthly Pass*
$55.00
$60.50
10.00%
$5.50
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Senior/ADA Express Plus Monthly Pass*
10-Ride Local Pass**
10-Ride Express Pass**
10-Ride Express Plus pass**
STS Yellow Tickets (Book of 10)
ADA 10-Ride People 62 years and up & people with
disabilities, with a valid Transit ID or Medicare card.
$80.00
$17.00
$23.40
$34.00
$32.00
$8.50
$88.00
$18.70
$25.75
$37.40
$35.00
$9.35
10.00%
10.00%
10.00%
10.00%
9.40%
10.00%
$8.00
$1.70
$2.35
$3.40
$3.00
$0.85
LYNX Daily
Transfers
Local/LYNX to Express
Local/LYNX to Express Plus
Express to Express Plus
$6.00
$6.60
10.00%
$0.60
$0.75
$2.00
$1.25
$0.80
$2.20
$1.40
7.10%
10.00%
11.80%
$0.05
$0.20
$0.15
From Community Shuttle to Local/LYNX
From Community Shuttle to Exp
$1.20
$1.95
$1.30
$2.15
8.30%
10.40%
$0.10
$0.20
From Community Shuttle to Exp Plus
$3.20
$3.50
9.40%
$0.30
From Community Shuttle to Community Shuttle
FREE
FREE
N/A
N/A
**pass already discounted; not available for further discounts / *indicates Unlimited Rides
TITLE VI REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR FTA RECIPIENTS
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides requirements and guidelines for recipients of
FTA grants. The link below outlines these items that are specific to Title VI and the fare equity
analysis. ://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_Title_VI_FINAL.pdf
ANALYSIS
Table 5: Low-Income/Minority Customer Percentages shows the percentage of CATS customers in the
Low-Income / Minority category based on the 2011 CATS customer satisfaction survey along with the
corresponding Mecklenburg County percentages based on the 2010 US Census.
Table 5: Low-Income/Minority Customer Percentages
CATS Customers
Bus
LYNX
System wide
County
LowIncome
20%
12%
27%
13%
Minority
68%
49%
75%
45%
The percentages do not add up to 100% because of the overlapping relationship they may have within
the system wide customer base. For example, a customer may be a minority but not at the low-income
level. Or a customer may be a minority and also categorized as low-income. Two scenarios that may
affect these figures are: the sample sizes are small when broken out of the system wide population,
however proportionate, and therefore increasing the margin of error. The other is that 20% of LYNX
riders also ride the bus and during sampling bus customers could have been sampled on the LYNX
system which could contribute to some differences in total percentages. From a global perspective,
with 75% of CATS customer being minority and 27% being low-income, there is an inherent disparate
impact with any fare increase.
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ANALYSIS BY SERVICE BY FARE TYPE
BUS SERVICES
After the March 26, 2014 Public Hearing, staff adjusted “Weekly Pass” proposed fare rate increase from 12.8% (mentioned in
Table 5 below) to 10%. See Table 4 in the “Public Input” section for the adjusted rate change.
Table 6: Bus Analysis by Fare Media the analysis uses the 2011 CATS Customer Satisfaction Survey data
to illustrate the current and proposed price and percentage increase for the most commonly used fare
types on the bus system. The last three columns show the percentage of fare type usage by lowincome, minority and system wide categories. Customer surveys of pass usage indicate that 59% of lowIncome passengers pay with full fare cash which represents 12% of CATS total customers. Also, 52.9% of
minorities pay with full fare cash representing 36% of CATS total customers.
After the March 26, 2014 Public Hearing, staff adjusted “Weekly Pass” proposed fare rate increase from 12.8% (mentioned in
Table 5 below) to 10%. See Table 4 in the “Public Input” section for the adjusted rate change.
Table 6: Bus Analysis by Fare Media
When comparing the minority groups’ use of full-fare cash of 36% to CATS total bus customers of 68%
there appears to be no disparate impact with the proposed fare increase since the percent of fare
increase is similar to the other proposed increases. When comparing the low-Income groups’ use of full
fare cash of 12% to CATS total bus customers of 50% there appears to be no disparate impact with the
proposed fare increase since the fare percentage increase is similar to the other proposed increases.
LYNX (LIGHT RAIL) SERVICES
The LYNX system is a proof-of-payment system and as such does not have fare boxes or validators.
Ticket vending machines (TVM) are located at each station and issue tickets in several different
denominations. In addition, all passes, with the exception of 10-ride denominations, are accepted on
the LYNX system.
After the March 26, 2014 Public Hearing, staff adjusted “Weekly Pass” proposed fare rate increase from 12.8% (as mentioned
in Table 6) below to 10%. See Table 4 in the “Public Input” section for the adjusted rate change.
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Table 7: LYNX Analysis by Fare Media
% of Total for LYNX
LYNX Fare Type
Round Trip Ticket
Weekly Pass
Monthly Local
Monthly Express Plus
One Ride Ticket
One Day Ticket
Monthly Express
Other
Cost
Existing
$4.00
$20.00
$80.00
$160.00
$2.00
$6.00
$110.00
Proposed
$4.40
$22.55
$88.00
$176.00
$2.20
$6.60
$121.00
Change
Absolute
$0.40
$2.55
$8.00
$16.00
$0.20
$0.60
$11.00
%
10.0%
12.8%
10.0%
10.0%
10.0%
10.0%
10.0%
Usage by Group per Month
LowSystem
Income
Minority
wide
3%
12%
25%
2%
13%
21%
1%
6%
19%
0%
3%
12%
4%
7%
11%
1%
3%
5%
0%
2%
5%
1%
1%
3%
Other fare types: Sr./ADA, Youth/Student, Reg. Exp, Expand Transfers
After the March 26, 2014 Public Hearing, staff adjusted “Weekly Pass” proposed fare rate increase from 12.8% (as mentioned
in Table 6) below to 10%. See Table 4 in the “Public Input” section for the adjusted rate change.
Table 7: LYNX Analysis by Fare Media reflects the usage of payment type by LYNX customers with the
last three columns showing the percentage of fare type usage by low-income, minority and system wide
categories. The low-income group uses the one-ride the most at four percent (4%) while the minority
group uses the weekly pass the most at thirteen percent (13%). Both of these usage rates are
significantly below the LYNX population of the riders for low-Income and minority at 12% and 49%
respectively and reflects no disparate impact.
TRANSIT DEPENDENT CUSTOMER INFO
Table 8: Transit Dependent Customers
Usage by Group per Month
LowSystem
Income Minority
wide
Based on the latest customer surveys
which included a question inquiring on
No Valid Driver's
License
69%
53%
47%
the number of customers without a valid
driver’s license, 47% of CATS customers do not have a valid driver’s license. When broken down by lowincome and minorities the percentage without a valid driver’s license are 69% and 53% respectively
indicating that a larger share of these customers are dependent on public transit.
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Since the last fare increase in FY2013, CATS has taken efforts to increase other revenue sources. An
ancillary advertising revenue program was started in FY2011 which sells ads on the CATS revenue fleet.
This source of revenue is projected to generate $1,400,000 in FY14 but other revenue sources have
experienced decreases. The NC State Maintenance Assistance Program experienced a 9% reduction
over the past several years offsetting increases in advertising revenue. In addition, lower interest rates
on investments have reduced interest income. Operating expenses related to multi-year unionized
labor negotiated wage increases, fuel price increases, and normal vendor price escalation is projected to
Page | 134
exceed total operating revenue by $2.8 million. Outlined below is more detailed information on the
revenue and expenses drivers for the FY2015 budget and proposed fare increase.
FY2015 Projected Revenue Gap
FY2015 Projected Operating Expenses
FY2015 Projected Revenue (W/O Fare Increase)
Revenue GAP
Key Cost Drivers
Fuel
Utilities
Personal Services
Risk Insurance
Total
$114,200,000
$111,400,000
($2,800,000)
Change from FY2014 to
FY2015 (Millions)
$ 320,000
$ 120,000
$2,100,000
$ 320,000
$2,860,000
Revenue:
• 3% escalation on Maintenance of Effort from the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the
Town of Huntersville amounting to $574,720.
• Sales Tax revenues reflects 3.5% annual growth, but does not yet account for anticipated growth
due to 2013 State Legislative changes in expansion of sales tax base amounting to $2.5 million.
• State Maintenance Assistance Program funding will remain flat for FY2015 which represents a
9% drop from FY2012.
Expense:
• Personal services (labor) costs of $81 million represents 71% of CATS operating budget. Factors
impacting these costs include:
 Recent labor negotiations resulted in changes to the bus operator contract for FY2015
including:
o 2.5% for wage increases
o Additional personal day (from 3 to 4)
o 60% share of life insurance (up from 50%)
o 3% health insurance increase ($25 per month per employee)
o Pay assumptions for City employees will be consistent with City recommendations;
•
•
•
•
•
Anticipated 10% increase in the employer share of City health benefits costs. This represents an
annual increase of $636 per City employee.
Fuel costs account for 11% ($12 million) of the operating budget.
2% gallon/year increase is budgeted; from $3.20 per gallon in FY2014 to $3.27 in FY2015.
Anticipate procuring 3.4 million gallons
Total Risk Insurance cost in FY2015 of $3.8 million. This represents an overall increase of 9%
($318,996) versus FY2014.
Inventory expense is projected at $4.4 million which is 4% of the operating budget.
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The net effect of these revenue and expense changes projected for FY2015 is a revenue gap of $2.8
million. The proposed fare increase of .20 cents is projected to generate $2.8 million in passenger fares
after taking into effect any drop in ridership precipitated by the fare increase.
To eliminate a fare increase or enact a smaller fare increase a corresponding drop in service levels would
be needed. Table 9: Fare Increase and Service Reduction illustrates the reduction in service levels
required at different fare increase amounts or if no fare increase is approved. This information was
included in the Public Hearing presentation and available on CATS website prior to the public hearing.
SERVICE REDUCTION IMPACT
Table 9: Fare Increase and Service Reduction
FY2015 Base Fare
Increase
No increase
10 cents
15 cents
20 cents
Anticipated
Revenue
(Millions)
-0$1.6
$2.2
$2.8
Required Reduction of
Current Service Level
26,354 hours
11,099 hours
5,529 hours
0 hours
A
reduction
of
services
would
have a negative impact on all riders with minority and low-income customers experiencing a significant
negative impact due to reduction in frequency, elimination of some service areas and/or routes and the
that 47% of customers are transit dependent.
Other alternatives other than service reductions could include:
Workforce Adjustments – However, CATS has maintained a fairly constant level of employees since
instituting layoffs in FY2009. Thus any further reduction would have a negative impact on service
delivery.
Reduced Services – Reduction in service besides impacting customers could increase CATS costs and
reduce an income source:
Fleet Reduction – Reduction in service results in a reduction of the fleet which could require
CATS to repay the FTA and NCDOT for selling an asset prior to reaching its useful life which
places more burdens on the budget.
Service Hours – Reduction in service would reduce the allocation of Federal Formula Funds and
NCDOT State Maintenance Assistance Funds reducing the available revenue funds to maintain
services.
ADA Service – Depending on the type of service reductions implemented it could trigger a
reduction in the service available to ADA customers through STS.
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PREVIOUS FARE INCREASE MITIGATION EFFORTS
Beginning in FY2013 CATS conducted communications on the benefits of weekly and other unlimited
usage passes to the public including the minority and low-income customers. This was done as part of
the mitigation effort outlined in the Fare Equity Analysis staff developed in FY2012. Illustrated below
are some of the creative material distributed and the placement location for the media.
Hanging Riders Alert inside each
vehicle
Bus and Light Rail Exterior Ad
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Spanish Version of Hanging Riders
Alert inside each vehicle
Page | 138
MITIGATION EFFORTS
The analysis indicates at the media type level (passes, cash fares, etc.) that proposed fare change has
been applied equitably across all fare types and services. But from a global perspective, with 75% of
CATS customer being minority and 27% being low-income, there is an inherent disparate impact and
disproportionate burden with any fare increase. Greater proportions of these groups when surveyed
ride on and show transit dependency for CATS services than reside (US Census) in the services area.
To mitigate the inherent disparate impact identified at a global level, CATS already provides several
avenues to mitigate the effect with discounted fare media or through inherent features within the pass
media to provide usage discounts. These include:
o All 10 ride passes are discounted 15%
o
Weekly pass priced at 28% off (7 day pass priced at a 5 day price). Post the 3/26/14
Public Hearing, this fare type was reduced by staff from 12.8% to the average (mode)
10% fare increase.
o
Weekly, monthly and one-day passes have the unlimited ride feature allowing for lower
price per ride based on customer usage.
o
Volume discounts

Up to 20% off for businesses participating in the Employee Transportation
Coordinator program.

Up to 25% for non-profits where 80% of their clients at or below the poverty
level.
To further mitigate the inherent disparate impact CATS will continue to track the usage of passes and
continue to execute marketing campaigns over the next two years to continue to educate customers
about the benefits of the weekly and other unlimited usage passes. The campaign will reach out to
specific market segments of low-income and minority customers. Ads will be placed in the following
areas:
1. Hanging riders alert on all buses and trains.
2. On interior ad cards inside all buses and trains (rider’s report)
3. In shelters in the transit center and uptown shelters where 80% of the our customer
transfer
4. Exterior ads on the front of buses
5. CATS Web page ad,
6. Transportation fairs
7. Poster ads adjacent to CATS main pass sales outlet at the transit center.
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CIVIL RIGHTS STAFF MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS (ADOPTED)
The FTA Title VI Circular’s guidance is designed to produce mitigation efforts with meaningful outcomes
for the low income and minority population. Staff believes the mitigation efforts proposed above are a
sufficient starting place to continue CATS efforts. But systems to measure positive results will need to
be put in place and additional steps may be needed. CATS is proposing to continue its advertising
campaign to highlight the most economical pass types for the consideration of minority and low income
communities. But staff will as well need to actively measure the usage of these fare media during the
next fare increase period, how ads are tailored for the target groups and how outreach occurs to inform
those groups about the more economical options.
As well, CATS is already supplying volume discounted transit passes to over 150 non-profit organizations
(See a list in Appendix D) whose clientele is at or below 80% the poverty line. Thousands of fare media
units (passes of various types) are supplied to these organizations annually. A list of these organizations
appears on CATS website and is available to citizen’s who may have economic challenges. These
organizations must supply a copy of the 501(c)(3) tax exempt letter to qualify for the discounts. As
these organizations are already connected to these communities, staff believes another route to ensure
meaningful outcomes is to focus on the nonprofit programs who participate in this discounted fare
initiative. Staff should begin to research the efforts of the non-profits receiving discounted fares to
attain the specifics of and standards for their programs. The purpose will be to refine the discount pass
initiative by finding better methods through these organizations as they assist the communities they
serve.
Staff has already begun to review the total number of agencies receiving passes, the name of the
organizations and how many discounted passes are supplied annually. The next steps should be to
contact:
• Currently participating organizations to become familiar with their standards, the type of
populations served, the size of the populations they serve, and criteria for how passes are
distributed.
• Non-participating non-profit organizations to inform them about the discount pass program,
and its benefits to their clientele (low income and minority)
• Both, to poll them where shortfalls exist between availability of passes, the need, incomes, and
to get gather their front-line assessments on how to address the gaps.
• Refine standards, review and to create best practices for participating agencies to follow as they
attempt to get the passes to those most in need.
The results and extent of mitigation efforts during the proposed fare increase period should be reviewed
periodically by staff. Including, recording the extent of advertising efforts, sale increases and decreases
in the most economical fare media types, researching and refining the discounted pass process to best
assist target communities, and finally taking additional steps mid-stream should the proposed mitigation
efforts prove less than optimal. These recommendations were incorporated into MTC’s adoption of this
analysis.
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TSAC MITIGATION RECOMMENDATIONS (ADOPTED)
At the April 23, 2014 MTC meeting, Transit Services Advisory Committee Rep. Mr. Scott Jernigan
recommended creating a credit for a single ride pass option at the Charlotte Transportation Center
(CTC). This recommendation was incorporated in MTC’s adoption of the analysis. If patrons present a
valid single ride pass at CTC ticket or customer services counters they would get credit for the purchase
amount toward the purchase of a more economical fare media type such are daily pass, 10-ride pass,
weekly pass or monthly pass. A valid single ride pass would include a certain time limit i.e. same day or
CATS transfer's time restriction. Mr. Jernigan also asked that staff consider (at some future point)
creating a map of CATS services area in particular the uptown area pinpointing the locations of nonprofits receiving volume discounts and their hours & contact information.
MTC (Board) FARE EQUITY ANALYSIS ADOPTION
On April 23, 2014, the MTC adopted this FY2015 Fare Equity Analysis including the input from CATS
Marketing and Public Relations staff who co-produced the analysis, the recommendations of CATS Civil
rights staff, Transit Services Advisory Committee (TSAC) Rep. Mr. Scott Jernigan, and a reduction in the
“Weekly Pass” proposed increase back to 10%.
MTC APPROVAL OF THE FY15 FARE INCREASE.
On April 23, 2014, the MTC adopted this FY2015 Fare Increase to go into effect July 1, 2014. See
notification below.
://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/fares/Pages/fair-increase-public-hearing.aspx
Page | 141
MTC FARE POLICY
Subject/Title: Fare Policy
Policy Number: MTC-02
Approved by: Metropolitan Transit CommissionDate Approved: February 23, 2011
Responsible Division: CATS Operations
Page Number: 142 of 31
Purpose
This fare policy is intended to describe the CATS fare structure in relation to different
types of transit services and fare media offered. Fare Policy issues affect all aspects of
public transportation and fare-related decisions have enormous effects on ridership,
revenue, the amount of service that can be offered, and community perceptions of public
transportation.
A modest increase in fare levels is recommended every two years to ensure that fare
revenues keep pace with inflation and reflect a fair-share contribution by riders to the
costs of operating a transit system.
The fare policy elements presented herein provide guidance for fare-related decisions in
the context of fulfilling the mission of the transit system, protecting the public interest,
and supporting the Financial Policies adopted by the MTC.
Objectives
♦ Encourage ridership by pricing transit affordably for all segments of Mecklenburg
County’s population, particularly those whose mobility options are limited.
♦ Establish a fare structure that is simple and readily understandable by current and
potential riders.
♦ Provide fare media that maximizes the convenience of paying fares.
♦ Price different types and levels of service equitably.
♦ Meet the Financial Policies’ mandated minimum operating ratio of 20 percent, with
the long-range objective of having operating revenue cover an increasing proportion
of the operating program expense.
Elements
Base Fare
The base cash fare for local bus service shall be at a level that is reasonably
affordable for riders and that represent a fair share of the costs of operating transit
Page | 142
services. Limited-stop services that principally cover the same geographic territory
shall also charge the base local fares.
Express Bus Fare
Express bus service shall be offered at a premium fare, in recognition of the greater
travel speeds, longer average trip lengths, and additional passenger amenities
offered by such service. The express bus fare for routes within Mecklenburg County
shall be maintained at approximately 40 percent greater than the base cash fare
rounded to the nearest logical dollars and cents. Express customers may transfer to
local service at no additional charge.
Regional Express Bus Fare
Regional express bus service for routes that extend beyond Mecklenburg County
shall be maintained at a level twice the base cash fare, in recognition of much longer
average trip lengths and the fact that the dedicated sales tax is not levied outside of
the County. Regional express bus customers may transfer to local or other express
service at no additional charge.
The adopted CATS Financial Policies require reimbursements from governmental
units outside Mecklenburg County for service delivery into those areas.
Reverse Commute Fares
CATS shall charge the base local fare for reverse-commute express service to utilize
available capacity with no significant additional operating cost and to serve the wider
societal goal of offering an opportunity to access suburban jobs at a reasonable cost.
Until noon, customers traveling outbound on express and regional express buses will
be charged the local base cash fare. After noon, customers traveling inbound on
express and regional express buses will be charged the local base cash fare.
Reverse commute customers may transfer to local service at no additional charge.
Community Shuttle Fares
A community shuttle service fare shall be lower than the base fare in recognition of
the shorter trip lengths on these services and the different roles of these shuttles as
feeders to local routes and as a means of mobility at the neighborhood level. When
transferring to a local or express shuttle, customers shall be required to pay an
additional charge equal to the difference between the shuttle fare and the service to
which they are transferring.
Employment/Activity Center Fares
Where shuttle service operates at employment/activity centers with CATS sharing
funding responsibility with business groups, local governments, or other entities,
fares shall be set based on mutual agreement among the funding partners on a
case-by-case basis. Additionally, CATS shall have the discretion to temporarily
suspend the charging of fares for all or any portion of the public transportation
system in response to operational needs, emergencies, or safety concerns.
Fares for Special Event Services
Where special event service is implemented for sporting events or similar activities,
fares shall by set by CATS on a case-by-case basis.
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VanPool Fares
Vanpool fares shall be based in part on the roundtrip miles, with higher fares
associated with longer trip lengths. In addition, a flat monthly rate shall be applied
based on van size. Vanpool fares shall be priced in recognition of the greater travel
speeds, longer average trip lengths and the additional passenger amenities offered
by such service.
Light Rail Transit
Light Rail fare shall match the local bus fare, in recognition of the similarity in trip
lengths, the desirability of attracting as many riders as possible to the system, and
the availability of a bus-rail transfer in many cases where the local fixed-route bus
network provides feeder service to light rail.
♦ Historic Trolley Service shares many operating characteristics with light rail. To
provide seamless operations with light rail, the Historic Trolley service fare
shall match light rail fare.
♦ Commuter Rail/Bus Rapid Transit fares will be established prior to initiation of
new service.
♦ Transfers shall be available free of charge except from less expensive to more
expensive services (e.g., local bus to express bus). The cost of transfers to
higher priced services shall be the difference in fares. Transfers are valid for
up to 90 minutes from issuance.
Free transfers in the same direction of travel will be offered to/from bus service and
Light Rail Transit and Historic Trolley service.
Discounted Fares
Discounted fares shall be available for senior citizens, passengers with disabilities,
students through high school, and children 12 years and younger. Appropriate
identification shall be required for discounted fares. The fare for senior riders (age
62 and over) and passengers with disabilities shall be 50 percent of the cash fare for
the service riding rounded to the nearest logical dollars and cents. The fare for
students through high school and children 12 years and younger shall be 50 percent
of the cash fare for the service riding. Children 5 years and younger or under 46
inches tall shall not be required to pay a fare.
Passes
Monthly passes shall be priced at the equivalent of 40 single trips, for both local and
express passes. Seven-day/weekly passes shall be priced at the equivalent of 10
single trips.
The 10-Ride passes for all Non-STS Service types shall be priced at a 15% discount
from the cost of 10 individual rides.
Special Transportation Services Fares
Special Transportation Services (STS) provides services mandated by the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Federal regulations permit a fare of no more
than twice the local bus fare, but CATS has historically charged less than the
maximum allowed. STS fares are all prepaid through ten-ride ticket books or an
unlimited-use monthly pass. STS monthly passes can be used on non-STS services
in which the fare is equal to or less than the STS fare.
Page | 144
Sales Discounts
Sales discounts may be offered 1) for organizations that sell passes in volume and 2) to
provide non-profit organizations with reduced prices on passes for their clients who are
at or below the federal poverty level.
Fare Adjustment Policy
An increase of either $0.25 or the average of 2-year inflation (whichever is higher) is
recommended for the base cash fare every two years. The purposes of the planned fare
increases are to ensure that fare revenues keep pace with inflation, to reflect a fair-share
contribution by riders to the costs of operating a transit system, and to practice wise
stewardship of public funds generated by the dedicated sales tax. This does not
preclude the MTC from approving fare adjustments at other times to compensate for
unusual, uncontrollable increases in operating costs, e.g. very significant fuel cost
increases.
Fares for all other services shall be adjusted to maintain their relationship to the base
cash fare as outlined in this policy.
Due to the greater cost per passenger of operating ADA service and the extension of
this service countywide, fares for services operated by STS shall increase by twice the
amount of local bus fare increases. For example, if local bus fares increase by $0.10,
the STS increase will be $0.20.
Proposed Fare increases will be included in the Transit Operating Program, which must
be approved by the MTC. After approval of the Transit Operating Program, current fares
will be updated as an attachment to this policy. In unusual circumstances, fare
increases may be approved by the MTC outside of the annual Transit Operating
Program schedule.
Page | 145
Fare Adjustment Schedule
Current Fares as of July 1, 2010 and Fare Policies by Fare Type
Information provided in this attachment will be updated to reflect any current fare changes.
Type of Service
Local bus, light rail, historic
trolley, express services reverse
commute
Express routes within
Mecklenburg County
Current Fare
Proposed Adjustments
$ 1.75
$ 0.25 or the average of 2-year inflation,
whichever is greater, every two years
$ 2.40
40 percent greater than local bus fare
Regional Express* routes to
neighboring counties
$ 3.50
Twice the local bus fare
Activity Center Services: Gold
Rush
Free
Fare determined by mutual agreement with
partnering organization(s)
Community shuttle service
$ 0.70
40 to 50 percent of the local bus fare
$ 5.25
Priced at equivalent of 3 one-way rides
Local bus, light rail and historic
trolley All-Day Pass
Vanpool Service
7 passenger minivan
15 passenger van
$278.51 per month plus
$ 0.12 per mile
$367.75 per month plus
$ 0.20 per mile
Commuter rail/bus rapid transit
People 62 years and up and
passengers with disabilities,
with valid Transit ID or Medicare
card
K-12 students with valid current
year school or Transit ID 6am to
4:30 pm
Children 5 years and younger or
Children 46” tall or less
(accompanied by an adult)
STS (ADA service)
STS yellow tickets
Non-STS ADA Pink Tickets
Monthly passes
N/A
$ 0.85 Local bus & light rail
$ 1.20 Express Bus
$ 1.75 Express Plus*
$ 0.85 Local bus & light rail
$ 1.20 Express Bus
$ 1.75 Express Plus*
Increase by a percentage based on
percentage increase in local service
If implemented, pricing to be determined
50 percent of service fare excluding STS &
vanpool
50 percent of service fare excluding STS &
vanpool
Free
$ 2.80
$28.00 (book of 10)
$ 8.50 (book of 10)
$ 70.00 Local
$ 93.00 Express
$112.00 STS (ADA Service)
$140.00 Express Plus*
Valued at up to twice that of the local bus
fare
Priced at the equivalent cost of 40 single
trips
Senior/ADA Monthly passes
$35.00 Local
$46.50 Express
$70.00 Express Plus*
One half of monthly price for service
10-Ride Pass
$15.00 Local
$20.00 Express
$30.00 Express Plus*
Pass is valid on bus only
$17.50 Local
Priced at the equivalent cost of 10 single
trips
Weekly local passes (unlimited
rides)
Fares for Special Event
Services
Set by CATS on a case by case basis
* Regional Express is identified as “Express Plus” on CATS fare media.
Page | 146
APPENDIX B: PUBLIC PROCESS FOR FARE AND SERVICE CHANGE
Subject/Title:
Public Process for Fare and Service Change
Previous Revision:
October 20, 2009
Procedure No:
CATS MC01 Service Changes
Revised Date:
January 20, 2010
________________________________________________
Carolyn Flowers
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Public Transit
PURPOSE
To ensure the public is involved and aware of significant route reductions or eliminations,
fare changes, and system-wide changes.
PROCEDURES
Route Reductions or Route Eliminations
Plans for the elimination of a route or the restructuring of a route that will affect
more than 25% of that route’s ridership or 25% of route miles will be published
through Riders Alerts and posted on revenue vehicles and through other transit
venues 60 days before implementation is scheduled.
Comments will be considered in regards to the impacts on energy conservation,
economy, environmental and social by the Transit Services Advisory Committee
and notice of the final changes will be communicated through Riders Alerts and
posted on revenue vehicles, at the Charlotte Transportation Center, and at other
CATS transit centers and stations.
Major System-Wide Service and/or Fare Changes
Proposed service reductions that will affect 25% of passengers system-wide or
25% of route miles will be published for public review and comment no less than
90 days before the proposed changes are to take place.
A public
hearing/meeting will be held to hear and consider comments no less than 30
days after the published notice.
Proposed fare increases will be published for public review and comment no less
than 90 days before the proposed changes are to take place. A public
hearing/meeting will be held to hear and consider comments no less than 30
days after the published notice. The public hearing for fare increases shall follow
the MTC Rules of Procedures section 7(b) “Procedures for Public Hearings.”
A summary of the comments and effects of changes in regard to energy
conservation, economy, environmental and social impacts will be provided to the
Transit Services Advisory Committee and the Metropolitan Transit Commission.
Page | 147
Notice of the final changes will be posted on CATS revenue operated vehicles,
through other communication avenues, at the Charlotte Transportation Center,
and at other CATS transit centers and stations.
Summary of Changes
2.1
First paragraph:
Changed title from “Significant Route Reductions or Route Eliminations” to “Route
Reductions or Route Eliminations”
Added “or 25% of route miles”
Changed “will be published in local newspapers and posted on buses” to “will be
published through Riders Alerts and posted on revenue vehicles and through other transit
venues”
Second paragraph:
Added “in regards to the impacts on energy conservation, economy, environmental and
social”
Changed “will be posted on buses” to “will be communicated through Riders Alerts and
posted on revenue vehicles”
2.2
First Paragraph:
Changed title from “System-Wide Service and/or Fare Changes” to “Major System-Wide
Service and/or Fare Changes”
Changed “Proposed fare and service changes that will affect passengers system-wide” to
“Proposed service reductions that will affect 25% of passengers system-wide or 25% of
route miles”
Changed “and a public hearing/meeting will be held to hear and consider comments
within 2 weeks of the published notice” to “A public hearing/meeting will be held to hear
and consider comments no less than 30 days after the published notice.”
Second paragraph: new
Third paragraph: added “of the comments and effects of changes in regard to energy
conservation, economy, environmental and social impacts”
Page | 148
APPENDIX C: PUBLIC INPUT- CUSTOMER SERVICES AND HEARING COMMENTARY.
Comment 1:
Charlotte, March 10/2014
Sirs
CATS
City
Dear Sirs,
I come to make you aware that I am not in agreement with the fare increase on July 2014.
My reasons:
I am an older woman with my left knee being permanently injured.
I work 7 days a week and don’t make 30 hours a week.
I’m obligated to get health insurance-$60 a month
I live alone and have to pay:
Rent
Water/Maintenance
Telephone
Power
The rent increases every year to whatever they want without making the apartment better.
The water/maintenance, sometimes increases at times during the year.
Telephone, the most stable
The power, in the winter it increases dramatically due to the heat being on.
I’m going to assume that more than likely 85% of the public work for little hours (part-time),
where there is no vacation and other benefits.
Thank you for the attention that will serve the President, that I left with you.
Sincerely,
Alba C. Manosalvas
Comment 2:
Good evening and thank you for allowing me to speak.
I am a long time client of Charlotte’s Special Transportation Service, and I’ve come here tonight
to urge you to reconsider raising the prices of STS yellow tickets and passes. My reasons for this
are simple I understand that we must keep up with salaries, gas prices, etc. However, you are
asking an already struggling segment of the community to pay nearly twenty percent of their
income, which consists mostly of Social Security just to move around for the basic necessities of
life; food shopping for example. Why must I and others be forced to pay $140 dollars for passes
and $32 dollars for yellow tickets each month, when the service is already outrageously limited?
There was a time, when I could go out until at least midnight. Now, because of the rezoning
laws, in order to receive a ride I can only stay out until 11:30 pm. Why can states like California
and Colorado offer persons with disabilities significant fare discounts when only regular city bus
riders get discounts here? Is that fair? NO! If we are going to tout Charlotte as such a “world
Page | 149
class city”, then why are we so behind the times in the arena of transportation when it is
considered a needed public service? Over 80 % of the disabled community does not work due to
transportation barriers or other concerns regarding income, how can we be expected to live as
good taxpaying citizens when our city constantly raises prices but limits services that are part of
our God given right, if you’re not familiar with that term please refer to the second paragraph of
the United States Declaration of Independence , to be happy, free and productive?
Council members I urge you to make the right choice and reduce STS fees, offer discounts, and
expand service to the disabled community. Then and only then will Charlotte be a FAIR AND
WORLD CLASS CITY.
Thank you and goodnight.
Page | 150
Public Comments 2014 Fare Increase
Page | 151
Fare Increase Spring 2014
Public Comments and Communications
April 9, 2014
Prepared for the
Metropolitan Transit Commission
Page | 152
Table of Contents
Public E-Mail Comments ...............................................................................................................................38
Subject:
ADA/Senior monthly pass plus increase. .......................................................................... 39
Subject:
55504 - Mobile Tickets...................................................................................................... 40
Subject:
CATS Customer Service (BRM) .......................................................................................... 40
Subject:
CATS fare increases.......................................................................................................... 41
Subject:
Cats FeedBack Email (KO) ................................................................................................. 42
Subject:
Cats FeedBack Email (RF) .................................................................................................. 42
Subject:
CATS Hearing ................................................................................................................... 43
Subject:
CATS Meeting March 26 ................................................................................................... 43
Subject:
Charlotte Transit meeting tonight .................................................................................... 43
Subject:
comment.......................................................................................................................... 44
Subject:
Comments........................................................................................................................ 44
Subject:
Fair increase Public hearing March 26, 2014.................................................................. ..45
Subject:
fare Increase public meeting .......................................................................................... .46
Subject:
Fare increases ................................................................................................................. 46
Subject:
Fares for students with disabilities (RF).......................................................................... .46
Subject:
March 26 2014 public hearing ........................................................................................ .47
Subject:
MTC Hearing ................................................................................................................... .47
Subject:
Non Profit Bus Prices ...................................................................................................... .48
Subject:
Please help -12 year old child riding a bus unsupervised (DA) ....................................... .48
Subject:
Proposed Fare Hike Public Meeting................................................................................ .50
Subject:
Public hearing ................................................................................................................. .50
Subject:
raise prices again .............................................................................................................50
Subject:
Route 77X (KO)................................................................................................................ 51
Subject:
Rt. 27 mainly but have trouble on other routes as well. (BM) ....................................... 51
Subject:
SmartCard (SGN) ............................................................................................................. 52
Subject:
Spam Quarantine Notification: 1 New............................................................................ 53
Subject:
test e-mail ....................................................................................................................... 54
Page | 153
Subject:
Wish to speak at the public hearing ............................................................................... 54
Public Hearing Transcript ............................................................................................................................56
Communications & Advertisements ........................................................................................................... 74
Page | 154
Enclosed are the comments provided by citizens and customers along with the official transcript from
the March 26, 2014 public hearing on the proposed 20 cent fare increase effective July 1, 2014. This
document is provided to all Metropolitan Transit Commission members several weeks prior to the next
scheduled vote on the FY2015 budget which includes the fare increase. Please take the time to read the
citizen’s comments as you prepare for the April meeting.
Page | 155
Public E-Mail Comments
From:
Tutas, Lawrence <ltutas@laborlawyers.com>
Sent:
Friday, January 24, 2014 12:00 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
ADA/Senior monthly pass plus increase.
Several months past I started driving to work, I work downtown Mon-Fri, I pay less than $60.00
a month for parking. I walk 2 blocks to work. I think that the proposed $88 for a monthly senior
pass is ridiculous. Including gas for my economy car and parking I make out better??
Larry Tutas
Office Manager
ltutas@laborlawyers.com | O: (704) 778-4171
227 West Trade Street | Suite 2020 | Charlotte, NC 28202
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and please delete this message from your system. Any unauthorized reading, distribution, copying, or
other use of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited.
Page | 156
From:
Kinard, Olaf
Sent:
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 3:31 PM
To:
pqkims@gmail.com
Cc:
TellTransit
Subject:
55504 - Mobile Tickets
Attachments:
Olaf Kinard.vcf
Thank you for your suggestion. We are moving in that direction however we have to upgrade all the
fareboxes on the buses and add equipment at each light rail stations. We scheduled to go out for
proposals this spring for a new farebox system that will include bar code reading so mobile app
generated tickets can be used on the bus and rail. Once we have that decision made it will take approx.
about a year to upgrade the entire system.
So bear with us.
Olaf Kinard
Director of Marketing & Communications
Assistant Director of Public Transit
www.ridetransit.org
From:
TellTransit
Sent:
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 2:29 PM
To:
TellTransit
Subject:
CATS Customer Service (BRM)
Customer Service
Additional Comments:
*
url:
http://www.charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/about/CustService/Pages/contactform.aspx
*
First Name: Nancy
*
Last Name: Scaggs
*
Address: 11227 Sundown Lane
*
Address:
*
City: Charlotte
*
State: NC
*
Zip Code: 28226
*
Work Phone:
*
Home Phone: 704-763-5777
*
E-mail: scaggs2198@bellsouth.net
Page | 157
*
o
*
*
*
: Selected Items
(Complaint) Complaint
:
:
: 57
*
:
*
: Selected Items
o
(Transit) Transit
*
: While you are looking into raising bus fares, you could look into increasing service to your riders.
Route 51 buses should pull into the park and ride at Arboretum to accommodate us senior citizens and
parents with small children. Crossing 51 is not safe. I am a long-time bus rider here in Charlotte -- since
1988. Rode the bus to work for 20 years and still need it as I do not have a car. To get to the Arboretum
would mean the world for me and others.
:
*
: Selected Items
o
(Transit) Transit
*
: While you are looking into raising bus fares, you could look into increasing service to your riders.
Route 51 buses should pull into the park and ride at Arboretum to accommodate us senior citizens and
parents with small children. Crossing 51 is not safe. I am a long-time bus rider here in Charlotte -- since
1988. Rode the bus to work for 20 years and still need it as I do not have a car. To get to the Arboretum
would mean the world for me and others.
From:
Stachura, Pat <Pat.Stachura@klgates.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, April 01, 2014 8:05 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
CATS fare increases
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Flagged
I am opposed to the outrageous fare increase of 10% that is being proposed beginning July, 2014. How
can the city of Charlotte and the bus driver’s union propose such a large increase at a time when people
are taking pay cuts and/or losing their jobs. I can understand a 2% - 3% increase consistent with
inflation but this is completely unreasonable. 10% in two year’s time when inflation increased 3.6%
seems extraordinary.
When I started riding the train in 2008, I think the fare was $1.25. Per the US government inflation has
been:
2008 – 3.8%
2009 – (.4%)
2010 – 1.6%
2011 – 3.2%
2012 – 2.1%
Page | 158
2013 – 1.5%
Total 11.8%
Inflation has increased 11.8% but CATS has raised fares during that same period 76%. How is that
possible or reasonable? Call it what you want but it is sticking it to the working class at a time when the
middle class is getting squeezed by all this ridiculous health care tax. Please consider alternative
revenue means and/or reducing bus routes as opposed to increasing fares. We have too many buses
during nonpeak hours riding around empty. The bus I ride (Route 14) runs every 45 minutes (29 times a
day). Wouldn’t it be possible to cut the number of routes to say 17 – once an hour 6:00 am to 10:00
pm. I guess this alternative would result in the need for less bus drivers and the union not being
happy. When are we going to start making good decisions for the public and not for the unions and city
workers? Our government needs to get in touch with the real world! Thank you for reading my
concerns and I urge you to consider alternatives.
Page | 159
Pat M. Stachura
Personal Email
This electronic message contains information from the law firm of K&L Gates LLP. The contents may be
privileged and
confidential and are intended for the use of the intended addressee(s) only. If you are not an intended
addressee, note that
any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the contents of this message is prohibited. If you have
received this e-mail in
error, please contact me at Pat.Stachura@klgates.com.
From:
Email@ip-10-251-162-63.localdomain
Sent:
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 6:52 PM
To:
TellTransit
Subject:
Cats FeedBack Email (KO)
Type : Complaint
Vehicle Number : Vehicle Number
Issue : EAL - Early/Late
Name : Charles Masiak
Phone : (203)824-1970
Date / Time : Feb 18, 2014 18:39
Comment : The 6:04 bus was over a 1/2 hour late When I called, I was told the bus was coming
from another route. you really need to schedule your bises better, or send another bus of one is
running so late. During the wait I saw plenty of buses jeading to the garage. one of those buses
shpuld have been sent. .It does not seem that you think too highly of your passengers, which is
not the sort of image you should want to project. Especially simce you are planning on raising
the fares in March. i am now considering on driving into uptown instead of taking the bus.
From:
jamesalfredwoodruff@gmail.com
Sent:
Thursday, February 06, 2014 2:11 PM
To:
TellTransit
Subject:
Cats FeedBack Email (RF)
Type : Complaint
Vehicle Number : 942
Route : Select Route
Issue : RUD - Rude Discourteous
Name : James Woodruff
Phone : 8434964393
Page | 160
Date / Time : Feb 06, 2014 13:58
Comment : I've ridden this route several times and noticed that I was short a dollar for fare. Well,
since I've seen this driver and many others give free fares before to those in need, I thought, at
least I have a dollar to pay for some of it. But no. Apparently since I'm not an Afro-American, as
the other free riders were, I don't get a pass. This is called discrimination and racism. This man
did even say hey to me our look me in the eye. I will share this with my media friends and will
also provide proof of this blatant racism.
From:
Kenji Kellen <kkellen@carolina.rr.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 4:51 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
CATS Hearing
I am interested in attending and speaking. My name is Kenji Kellen.
Thank You,
Kenji Kellen
From:
Laura Newell <lnewell@inreachnc.org>
Sent:
Thursday, March 06, 2014 9:24 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
CATS Meeting March 26
I would like to speak at the meeting about the bus fare increase.
Thanks,
Laura Newell
From:
Laura Newell <lnewell@inreachnc.org>
Sent:
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 10:58 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Charlotte Transit meeting tonight
I am Laura Newell and I would like to speak tonight at the meeting.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity.
From:
Wes Connell <wconnell@tricorbraun.com>
Sent:
Friday, January 24, 2014 8:21 AM
To:
MTC interest
Page | 161
Subject:
comment
Good Morning,
I’ve seen nothing but problems with CATS fare boxes. Honestly if CATS would fix their fare boxes, then
they’d bring in enough income to offset any current budget needs.
Wes Connell |
The information contained in this communication may be confidential and may be privileged; it may be
disseminated by the recipient(s) only to persons in their own company with a need to know, for their
own use only and not for redissemination. This email is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If
you believe you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and then delete
it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, use, disclose, copy or distribute this email
without the author's prior permission; any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended
recipient is prohibited. To the extent this communication pertains to the provision of goods or services
it is subject to and includes our terms and conditions which will be stated in writing at such time as we
enter into a transaction with you.
From:
Wes Connell <wconnell@tricorbraun.com>
Sent:
Monday, April 07, 2014 1:26 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Comments
Follow Up Flag:
Follow up
Flag Status:
Flagged
Good Afternoon,
My only real comment in regard to the proposed fare increase, is the fare boxes.
Many of the fare boxes are not working properly on the buses, so as a result people aren’t paying at all
or sometimes even a full bus of riders doesn’t have to pay because of the fare boxes.
Page | 162
I’ve had many problems as well with the 10 ride express passes not scanning, so that means the fare box
doesn’t register another ride and I basically end up with a free ride so to speak.
I think CATS could close the gap with some attention to the fare boxes.
While I understand that budgets are tight, I think this increase is going to be very tough on poor people
that are barely making ends meet. To jump .20 a ride may not sound like much, but it comes to around
$10 more a month for an average local rider. $10 that many people just don’t have these days.
I would ask that you consider canceling the increase or at least reducing it.
Thanks and best regards,
Wes Connell
The information contained in this communication may be confidential and may be privileged; it may be
disseminated by the recipient(s) only to persons in their own company with a need to know, for their
own use only and not for redissemination. This email is for the use of the intended recipient(s) only. If
you believe you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and then delete
it. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not keep, use, disclose, copy or distribute this email
without the author's prior permission; any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or
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recipient is prohibited. To the extent this communication pertains to the provision of goods or services
it is subject to and includes our terms and conditions which will be stated in writing at such time as we
enter into a transaction with you.
From:
Daniel Bennett <cycletrip@yahoo.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 12:17 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Fair increase Public hearing March 26, 2014
My Name is Daniel Bennett, and I am signing up to speak at the MTC public hearing on
the fare increase. This coming Wednesday March 26.
Thankyou
Dan Bennett
Page | 163
From:
Charles Strickland <cstrickland41@yahoo.com>
Sent:
Thursday, March 20, 2014 4:37 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
fare Increase public meeting
Please put my name of the list to speak Wednesday March 26, 2014 at the CATS/MTC Fare Increase
Public Meeting. If possible I would like to be one of the first to speak as I will need to be catching a bus
and may need to leave early.
Sincerely
Charles Strickland
From:
Linda <lindadellph@aol.com>
Sent:
Friday, January 24, 2014 9:08 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Fare increases
Considering we had to wait an extra 15 minutes for our bus last night (due to the bus breaking down)
Plus my 10 minute walk to the bus stop I don't agree with the Fare Increase. Most of the buses we ride
sound like they are falling apart and some of the bus drivers need some customer service training. If we
could see some improvements being made it might be a different story. I am nearing retirement and I
don't need my bus fare increased along with the rest of the increases in this world. Linda
From:
Davis-Barnes, Stephanie R. <stephanier.davis-barnes@cms.k12.nc.us>
Sent:
Wednesday, March 26, 2014 9:05 AM
To:
TellTransit
Subject:
Fares for students with disabilities (RF)
To whom it may concern,
I am a special education teacher at Hopewell High School. My students have moderate to severe
disabilities and I would like to take them on the light rail. I saw that students can get a reduced fare.
Where do I purchase those tickets? I have a valid school ID, though my students do not all have school
IDs. The students range from 9th to 12th grade. I was hoping to take this trip by the end of April. Please
let me know the next steps to take.
Page | 164
Thank you!!
Thank you,
Stephanie Davis-Barnes
Hopewell High School
SAC Teacher
Phone: 980-343-5988
Fax: 980-343-5990
Email: stephanier.davis-barnes@cms.k12.nc.org
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to public records requests pursuant to the
North Carolina Public Records Law, resulting in monitoring and potential disclosure of this message to
third parties.
In compliance with federal law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs,
employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of
gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability.
From:
Anne Roberts <annkae@gmail.com>
Sent:
Saturday, February 08, 2014 10:23 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
March 26 2014 public hearing
I would like to sign up to voice my opinion during the meeting.
-Love is the answer
Love covers a multitude of sins.
From:
Ezekiel Mack <mackezekiel@gmail.com>
Sent:
Saturday, February 08, 2014 4:06 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
MTC Hearing
My name is Ezekiel Mack and I am signing up to attend the hearing on March 26, 2014 at
5:30pm for the CATS proposed fare increase. I can be reached at mackezekiel@gmail.com.
From:
Sent:
Benjamin June <bjune@centerforcommunitytransitions.org>
Monday, March 10, 2014 3:53 PM
Page | 165
Subject:
MTC Hearing
My name is Ezekiel Mack and I am signing up to attend the hearing on March 26, 2014 at
5:30pm for the CATS proposed fare increase. I can be reached at mackezekiel@gmail.com.
From:
Sent:
Benjamin June <bjune@centerforcommunitytransitions.org>
Monday, March 10, 2014 3:53 PM
Page | 166
To:
MTC interest; Erik Ortega
Subject:
Non Profit Bus Prices
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Benjamin June and I am a Client Adviser at The Center for Community Transitions. I am
requesting information about what are the proposed price increases for Non-Profit Bus Passes. Do you
have information about the increases or can you please direct me to person I can obtain this information
from?
Specifically I would need the prices of the following
Singles
Local Weeklies
Local 10 Rides
Local Monthlies
Respectfully,
Benjamin June
Client Advise - The Center for Community Transitions
704-374-0762 ext. 12
From:
Scott Donohue <sdonohue@goodmortgage.com>
Sent:
Thursday, March 20, 2014 2:54 PM
To:
TellTransit
Cc:
'Rita Fair'
Subject:
Please help -12 year old child riding a bus unsupervised (DA)
I have copied my ex wife on this so that she can hear the truth of this. My daughter is 12 years old, your
own website clearly states that children 12 and under are not allowed to ride a city bus unsupervised
without an adult.
This link will take you to where your rules
are http://www.charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/Bus/schedulechg/Documents/March2014/01%20Mt
%20Holly.pdf
I have also copied them and highlighted this portion of your rules.
Transit Fares
Effective July 1, 2012
Correct change only, please
Local $2.00
Transfers (Local to Local/Community Shuttle) FREE
Transfers (Local to Express) 75¢
Page | 167
Transfers (Local to Express Plus) $2.00
People 62 years and up, people with disabilities $1.00
with Transit ID or Medicare card
Youth/Student (grades K-12), with a valid school or Transit ID $1.00
(Children 12 and under are to be accompanied by an adult)
Children (5 years and younger, accompanied by an adult) FREE
Local Ten Ride Pass $17.00
Local Weekly Pass (Unlimited rides) $20.00
Local Monthly Pass (Unlimited rides) $80.00
Senior/ADA Local Monthly Pass (Unlimited rides) $40.00
Why is it that CATS would allow a child to ride unsupervised if your rules clearly prohibit it?
Scott Donohue
NMLS ID: 50493
Tel 704.523.3886 x207
Fax 704.523.9186
Toll 877.523.3886 x207
Cell 704-763-2589
Click Here to View My Personal Website
This e-mail, and any attachments thereto, is intended only for the sole use by the addressee(s) named
herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended
recipient of this e- mail, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this
e-mail, and any attachments thereto, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in
error, please immediately notify me at (877) 523- 3886 ext. 207 and destroy the material enclosed
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Page | 168
? Please consider the environment before printing this email
From:
Melody Gross <melody.gross@gmail.com>
Sent:
Monday, March 24, 2014 10:24 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Proposed Fare Hike Public Meeting
Hello,
I would like to sign up for the public meeting. I would also like the opportunity to speak if this is
possible. Please let me know if speaking is possible.
Thank you,
Melody Gross
-"Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it
leads him." ~Henry Miller
Melody Gross
Public Relations, Marketing, Social Media and Brand Management
www.twitter.com/melodygross
www.SeeMelMarket.Tumblr.com
www.linkedin.com/in/melodygross
Cell: 704.266.0683
From:
deangelo wiggins <deangelowiggins@gmail.com>
Sent:
Thursday, March 20, 2014 4:16 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Public hearing
Would like to sign-up for the hearing on march 26
From:
christine.dale@us.pwc.com
Sent:
Friday, January 24, 2014 8:10 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
raise prices again
You will lose more rider ship if you raise the prices again. Cut the salaries of the high levels, who don't do
anything anyway, and put the money back into the system.
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Page | 169
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From:
Jennifer Lesniak <jlesniak@commercialcreditgroup.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, February 05, 2014 12:31 PM
To:
TellTransit
Subject:
Route 77X (KO)
I was on the bus this morning and there was no heat. I am stilling trying to warm up from this. I pay a fare
to ride the bus so I think that the bus should have heat in it. If there is something wrong with the bus
then please get it fixed.
Jennifer
Jennifer Lesniak
Commercial Credit Group Inc.
227 West Trade Street, Suite 1450
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Tel (704)731-0031 Main
Direct Tel (980) 233-3744
Fax (704) 731-0030
www.commercialcreditgroup.com
jlesniak@commercialcreditgroup.com
From:
PAMELA OWENS <POWENS@FAMILYDOLLAR.com>
Sent:
Wednesday, January 29, 2014 3:02 PM
To:
TellTransit
Subject:
Rt. 27 mainly but have trouble on other routes as well. (BM)
CATS lies, and now they want another fare increase. The drivers are rude, sassy, don't pay attention, miss
stops, don't want to help anyone. Without customers they wouldn't have jobs. My bus driver passed me
this morning when I was about 50 ft from the stop becuase I was pushing my wheelchair because I didn't
have traction to get up the small hill. She even paused briefly like she was going to stop but kept going.
The next two buses were no-shows, I finally was able to get on the fourth scheduled bus, after being out
in the cold for over an hour and a half.
It took over 20 minutes on hold with Customer Service each time before I was able to talk with someone.
Of course, they couldn't track any on the buses. It happens all the time, they don't show up, ramps don't
work, fare boxes don't work, drivers having attitudes. Unfortunately I have to depend on CATS for 100%
of my transportation needs. It's very frustrating.
Page | 170
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certificate of insurance please use certificateofinsurance@familydollar.com
Pamela B. Owens
File Clerk
Lease Administration Dept.
All Mail to: PO Box 1017, Charlotte, NC 28201-1017
Deliveries only: 10301 Monroe Rd., Matthews, NC 28105
(704)708-2974 direct
(704) 844-1581 fax
powens@familydollar.com
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From:
Kinard, Olaf
Sent:
Friday, January 24, 2014 10:27 AM
To:
mkormanek@outlook.com
Cc:
TellTransit
Subject:
SmartCard (SGN)
Attachments:
Olaf Kinard.vcf
Matt,
Thanks for your comments. We are working on it. Farebox systems for the size of system we have
typically cost in the rage of $7-8 million to replace so the investment must last for 10-15 years. The
current farebox system installed is a 1998 installation. We are currently finalizing a bid to go out to later
this summer which includes fareboxes that should have:
1.
Magnetic
2.
Contactless cards (smartcards)
3.
Barcode reading (i.e. to read mobile app purchases of passes similar to use with airline tickets;
your phone becomes your ticket)
We hope to have a decision and the technology beginning to be installed in late 2014 and 2015. With
over 325 buses and all the interconnection that occur with other system, it does take a while to replace
an entire fleet.
Page | 171
Thanks
Olaf Kinard
Director of Marketing & Communications
Assistant Director of Public Transit
www.ridetransit.org
From:
quarantine@messaging.microsoft.com
Sent:
Friday, March 28, 2014 10:58 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Spam Quarantine Notification: 1 New
Dear mtcinterest@charlottenc.gov: You have 1 NEW spam messages since March 29, 2014 1:36 AM
(UTC)
The following is a list of messages that have been stopped by the Spam Quarantine email filtering
service.
To recover a message to your Inbox, click the "Move to Inbox" link. If a message has been incorrectly
identified as spam,
click the "Not Junk" link. When you click the "Not Junk" link, the message will be recovered to your
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will be
directed to the Spam Quarantine login. After logging in, the message you clicked on will be displayed.
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*The 'Not Junk' feature is not available for items filtered due to custom spam filter settings or for those
who do not have
permission to access Spam Quarantine.
Sender
Subject
Date (UTC)
Page | 172
Size
Move to
Inbox
Not
Junk
1
"Canadian-Drugs"
<noreply@formenteravacanze.com>
Hurry up to order today and
get free delivery to y
Mar 22, 2014
3:42 PM
4624
2
Move To
Inbox
Not
Junk
© 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Legal | Privacy
From:
Taylor, Kim
Sent:
Thursday, January 02, 2014 10:07 AM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
test e-mail
Test…
Kim Taylor, Marketing Manager
Charlotte Area Transit System
600 E. Fourth Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-336-7309 (phone); 704-336-4944(fax)
From:
Howarth, Thomas <thowarth@uncc.edu>
Sent:
Monday, February 17, 2014 1:29 PM
To:
MTC interest
Subject:
Wish to speak at the public hearing
Good afternoon,
My name is Joe Howarth and I would like to sign up to speak at the public hearing regarding the CATS
fee increase.
Thank you,
Page | 173
Joe
Page | 174
Public Hearing Transcript
Metropolitan Transit Commission Fare
Increase Public Hearing Transcript
March 26, 2014
BEFORE THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT COMMISSION
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
)
In Re: ) PUBLIC HEARING
) ON
CHARLOTTE AREA TRANSIT SYSTEM ) FARE INCREASE
)
Held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Government Center
600 East Fourth Street, Room 267
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
On Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Beginning at 5:37 p.m.
Metropolitan Transit Mr. Trevor Fuller, Chairman
Commission Members Ms. Carolyn Flowers
Present: Mr. Jack Edwards
Mr. Tim Taylor
Mr. Ralph Messera
Mr. Brian Welch
Mr. Rick Sanderson
Ms. Deana Diorio
Mr. John Woods
Mr. Bill Coxe
Mr. Bill Thunberg
Mr. Rick Watson
Mr. John Collett
Mr. Anthony Roberts
Also Present: Mr. Olaf Kinard
Ms. Jean Leier
Reported by: Christine A. Taylor, RPR
Notary Public
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1
2
3
4
P R O C E E D I N G S
(at 5:37 p.m.)
MR. FULLER: So at this time we will open our public
hearing which we will hold before we get to the
Page | 175
5 other business that we have for the commission this
6 evening. We do have interpreters. We have a
7 Spanish interpreter and a sign language interpreter
8 with us for anyone who will need those services.
9 All right. So why don't we jump right in. We
10 have a number of people who have signed up to
11 participate in our public hearing on the fare
12 increase proposal. And I'll just go right down the
13 list of folks who are here. Charles Strickland.
14 MR. STRICKLAND: Here.
15 MR. KINARD: We are going to give a small presentation.
16 MR. FULLER: Oh, do you want to do the presentation
17 first? All right. Let's do the presentation, then
18 we'll do this.
19 MS. PEREIRA: Good evening, I'm Dee Pereira. I'm just
20 going to -- we've teed up a presentation and some of
21 it is the material that we presented to the MTC last
22 month, but there are just a couple of points that I
23 want to remind the MTC of.
24 And the first point that I really do want to
25 remind you of is the fact that the review of the
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1 fare every other year is in MTC policy, and so we
2 are in compliance with the policy. And,
3 essentially, what you look for is to review a small
4 or modest change every other year to maintain a
5 fair-share contribution from the riders to the
6 growth of the transit system and to avoid any large
7 increases or significant increases in the fare that
8 might be required as a result of changes in the
9 operating costs.
10 The other information that I want to remind you
11 of is when we presented you with the financial
12 analyses last month, we told you that basically what
13 CATS receives is an average fare. And as an
14 example, on the current $2 base fare, CATS receives
15 about $0.96. So it's not -- we want to make sure
16 that people fully understand that. We did do a
17 comparison. We did two comparisons. We did a
18 financial analyses.
19 (Showing slide.) In the financial analyses,
20 what we came up with is that the transit -- without
21 a fare increase, the transit revenue for next year
22 would be $111.4 million; however, the transit
Page | 176
23 expenses with just a 3.6 percent increase are at
24 $114.2 million, which leaves a $2.8 million
25 difference between the revenues of the projected
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1 revenue and expense.
2 Some of the key cost drivers on the cost side
3 are elements that we do not totally control. For
4 instance, the fuel, the utilities, the risks and the
5 personal services are not totally under our control.
6 So in order to cover that gap, the fare increase -7 we look for what should the fare increase be.
8 (New slide.) The second analyses that we did
9 was what we refer to the fare elasticity analyses,
10 and that is essentially we recognize within the
11 industry that when you have a fare increase,
12 generally the ridership goes down. And based on
13 that, we had to determine what should be the fare -14 the level of fare increase in order to close the
15 gap.
16 (New slide.) So with that in mind, I just want
17 to put up this chart which we showed you last month.
18 What would be the service level impact based on no
19 increase, if MTC approved a 10 percent increase, a
20 15 cent or 20 cent increase, and what would be the
21 organizational impacts of not implementing the
22 20 cent on the base fare.
23 (New slide.) As you can see, we would have to
24 reduce our service which would result in workforce
25 adjustments depending on where the bus services were
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1 reduced. Once again, it could result in a reduction
2 of our bus fleet which meant that depending on the
3 fleet that would have to be eliminated, we might
4 have to repay the Federal Transit Administration and
5 NCDOT.
6 The reduction in our hours of service would
7 result in reduction of our federal formula funds and
8 the state -- the assistance funds that we receive
9 from the state, it could have Title VI implications.
10 And, once again, depending on which services were
11 reduced, it could impact the service that would be
Page | 177
12 available to our ADA customers.
13 So just wanted to present that to you. I'm
14 going to turn it back to Olaf right now. But this
15 is just reminding you of some of the information
16 that we provided to you last month. Let me know if
17 you have any questions.
18 MR. FULLER: Thank you very much.
19 MR. KINARD: (New slide.) This represents the current
20 fare increase along with the proposed fare increase.
21 We'd done this presentation to you all last month.
22 The Transit Service Advisory Committee, the Citizen
23 Transit Advisory Group had had several discussions.
24 The only thing on here that we are staff -25 based upon this presentation and discussions of
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1 changing is the weekly pass that was going to go up
2 by 12.8 percent, we're going to recommend that it
3 only go up by the average 10 percent. That's the
4 only thing that you'll see is a change in relation
5 to this chart here.
6 (New slide.) The next series of chart compare
7 the proposed fare increase to both the North
8 Carolina cities basically and other cities that
9 we've compared ourselves to over the past eight, ten
10 years, and what their fare is, the same type of
11 service.
12 So with the new fare increase, we would be
13 around $2.20. And compare us to the other cities
14 that have bus, light rail that is fare free, you can
15 see we're basically even par or below. We are
16 higher than most North Carolina cities, but we also
17 have sometimes two to three times the service on the
18 road than they do and a larger service area. So
19 there's a reason why there is a difference in our
20 fare structure than theirs usually are.
21 The express fares, which are express services
22 within Mecklenburg County, again, we typically are
23 at par or mainly above. There are one or two
24 locations that aren't, the Triangle transit in
25 Raleigh area and the San Diego system.
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Page | 178
1 The regional expresses that go out to
2 surrounding counties, we typically -- again when
3 compared to peer cities are typically below. There
4 are a couple that aren't, part of the Greensboro
5 express service and then, again, the Minneapolis.
6 (New slide.) And then the paratransit fares,
7 there are actually two bars here for reference. The
8 gold bar is the proposed paratransit fare. The
9 first bar is the local fare. And the reason for
10 showing that is by FDA rules, you can charge up to
11 two times the local fare. We don't do that, but it
12 gives you a comparison of the same cities and what
13 they charge in that respect. Some cities are
14 actually two times, some are close to the same, some
15 are a little bit less. Most of them are close to
16 two times the local fare. We don't do that in that
17 respect.
18 (New slide.) We also compared ourselves to
19 other transit systems that have the same service of
20 bus, light rail, vanpool on three costs of measures.
21 The cost per vehicle mile, we're typically running
22 below the industry average in the United States.
23 The cost per passenger mile, we typically are always
24 running below the United States. And the cost per
25 passenger trip, we've typically been up, but over
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1 the past three, four years, we've actually dropped
2 below the national average of transit systems. This
3 is during the period that we were expanding the bus
4 service tremendously in the '80s -- I mean in the
5 early 2000s. So we were making a lot of investments
6 and the passengers come after you make that
7 investment. So that's typically what we've seen
8 causing that particular scenario. But, basically,
9 the point of these three slides is that compared to
10 other transit systems who have the same service, we
11 typically run the service efficiently.
12 (New slide.) The public hearing is tonight.
13 We started advertising back in January. The riders
14 alerts, both electronic and paper, on the different
15 services, hangers, shelter posters, newspaper ads in
16 Mecklenburg County and surrounding counties.
17 Presently, this is done from the social medium and
18 websites and Twitter. And the public commentary,
Page | 179
19 even though we have a public hearing tonight,
20 doesn't end until April 9th, which is basically a
21 little more than two weeks before your vote. So we
22 have time to prepare the documents like we normally
23 do, provide you with all public hearing information.
24 MR. FULLER: Thank you. Are there any questions before
25 we get started hearing from our speakers?
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1 (No response.)
2 All right. Thank you. Then let me call then -3 are we going to have everybody speak from -4 MR. KINARD: If they can speak up here, come up here. If
5 they're unable, we can bring a microphone to the
6 customer.
7 MR. FULLER: And just a reminder to all of our speakers,
8 you will have three minutes to speak. And when your
9 three minutes are up, I'm going to ask you to stop
10 speaking. So keep that in mind.
11 All right. Charles Strickland, are you here?
12 MR. STRICKLAND: Yes, sir. This was my speech two years
13 ago. One thing I'm tired of seeing is CATS holding
14 this Commission basically hostage, you have to raise
15 the fares or we're going to cut back service. It's
16 like the Panthers saying build us a new stadium,
17 give us renovations.
18 We're talking people that have limited incomes
19 that are having to use the bus and this is a
20 definite hardship for all of us. CATS seems to care
21 that a contract worker loses -- or steals $50,000
22 from them, but they have so many fare boxes that
23 aren't working, they aren't collecting fare from
24 people that are wanting to pay the current $2.
25 By making inquiries, I've got all my numbers
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
here from last year, $2.4 million was my estimate as
to how much is being missed in fare box revenue. If
you add the $2, we're up to $2.75 million with the
$2 increase. They're saying they're missing about
2.8 if they don't have this increase. I say collect
the money they're supposed to be collecting. When I
asked Mr. Kopf two years ago how many fare boxes
Page | 180
8 were not working, his answer was "I don't know." As
9 operations manager, I feel he should know.
10 I have asked two of my elected representatives
11 to contact Ron Carlee in the city manager's office
12 and have CATS accounting practices investigated and
13 we find out exactly how many fare boxes are not
14 working and the exact revenue impact that is being
15 missed before we have a vote on whether we are to
16 increase this fare or not. Let's find out how much
17 fare is being missed.
18 There are also some things I feel CATS can do
19 to generate revenue just by tweaking some routes
20 here and there get to get more people to ride the
21 bus at current rates. This upcoming Saturday night,
22 there's going to be an Eagles tribute band playing
23 at the North Carolina Music Factory. At midnight,
24 1,000 people are going to come out of that venue and
25 I think if they ran a bus in front of the North
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1 Carolina Music Factory, they'd build up 36 people
2 easily, I think, would hop on that bus and head to
3 the EpiCentre uptown. Currently the bus turns on
4 Johnson Road just before the North Carolina Music
5 Factory. There are only two or three on that bus at
6 night sometimes. I think by bringing it in front an
7 extra one-quarter, half a mile, maybe three-quarters
8 of a mile swings around into the same neighborhood.
9 They can do that.
10 I called Noah Lazarus two years ago, the owner
11 of the Music Factory, and asked him to call CATS to
12 bring that bus in front. He said he did. They
13 didn't want to do it. I think CATS needs to do
14 these type of things to generate more revenue at the
15 current level before they come to us and ask us for
16 more money.
17 Another thing they can do is the Ballantyne
18 bus, take it over to Stonecrest, two miles, generate
19 revenue there. It currently just goes to Ballantyne
20 Commons Parkway, an office park. Most of the day
21 it's not carrying anybody over the bridge. You take
22 it over there, more people will ride the bus. You
23 have a movie theater, you have Target, you have
24 restaurants, you have workers, shoppers that will
25 all use the bus, I'm sure, to use -- get to the
Page | 181
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1 transit to get to the train to get to uptown.
2 We also need later times so we can stay out
3 later in much of these areas. There are the workers
4 in my area at the fast food restaurants. They have
5 to give up 45 minutes of their shift a night to
6 catch that last bus at 11:00. They're off at 11:30
7 or midnight. They have to leave at 10:45 in order
8 to get the bus at 11:00. Five nights a week giving
9 up 45 minutes of their shift, that's money they are
10 having to take out of their pocket plus pay CATS,
11 plus now possibly pay an increase. That is not
12 fair. CATS needs to do more to attract more riders.
13 We demand more from CATS before they demand more
14 change from us.
15 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Mr. Strickland. Rodney Perry,
16 are you here?
17 (No response.)
18 James Anthony? James Anthony, are you here?
19 (No response.)
20 Okay. Laura Lassiter?
21 MS. LASSITER: Here.
22 MR. FULLER: Come on up, unless you want to take a
23 microphone.
24 MS. LASSITER: Good evening, and thank you for allowing
25 me to speak. I'm a long-time rider of Charlotte
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1 Transportation System. And I've come here tonight
2 to urge you to reconsider raising the prices of STS
3 for passengers. My reasons for this are simple.
4 I understand that we must keep up with
5 increases of gas prices, et cetera. However, you
6 are asking an already struggling segment of the
7 community to pay nearly 20 percent of their income,
8 which consists mostly of social security, just to
9 get around for the basic necessities of life, food
10 shopping, for example. Why must I and others be
11 forced to pay the proposed increase of $140 for
12 passes and $32 for yellow tickets each month when
13 the service is already outrageously limited. There
14 was a time when I could go out until at least
Page | 182
15 midnight, but now because of rezoning, in order to
16 receive a ride, I can only stay out until 11:30 p.m.
17 But I ask you why do states like California and
18 Colorado offer persons with disabilities significant
19 fare discounts when only regular city bus riders get
20 discounts here. Is that fair? I think not.
21 If we are going to tout Charlotte as a, quote,
22 world class city, then why are we so behind the
23 times in the arena of transportation when it is
24 considered to be a public service? Did you know
25 that over 80 percent of the disabled community does
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1 not work due to transportation concerns or other
2 concerns regarding income? How can we be expected
3 to land good tax paying citizens when our city
4 constantly raises prices but limits service that are
5 part of our God given rights. And I urge you to
6 refer to the Declaration of Independence if you're
7 not familiar with that term, specifically in the
8 Bill of Rights, these rights are to be happy, free,
9 and productive.
10 I urge you to make the right choice and reduce
11 STS fees, offer discounts, and expand services to
12 the community. Then and only then will Charlotte be
13 a fair and world class city. Thank you and
14 good-bye.
15 MR. FULLER: Thank you very much, Ms. Lassiter. Robert
16 Lowery, are you here?
17 (No response.)
18 Joann Williams, are you here?
19 (No response.)
20 Lamarr Blocker-Chrockmorcon. Did I say that
21 right?
22 MR. BLOCKER-CHROCKMORCON: Close enough.
23 MR. FULLER: You can either speak at the microphone up
24 here or you can speak with this mic.
25 MR. BLOCKER-CHROCKMORCON: I'll speak with that mic.
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1 Good evening to all those with the Metropolitan
2 Transit System. My name is Lamarr
3 Blocker-Chrockmorcon and I am a broadcast journalism
Page | 183
4 student at Central Piedmont Community College. I've
5 been riding on CATS for the latter part of ten years
6 and I've seen CATS get progressively worse in
7 regards to bus availability and frequency,
8 employees' behavior, and the financial stability.
9 Because CATS relaxed timekeeping on certain routes,
10 I've lost two jobs in the span of nine months being
11 subjected to pervasive surveillance as it may due to
12 CATS' ineffectiveness of keeping to the itinerary in
13 which they put out for the public.
14 If you all do decide to go up on the fare to
15 $2.20, the buses should be on time, there should be
16 more places where we can go on local routes with one
17 to two transfers at the most. And the buses need to
18 be clean and safe. There should be no buses
19 breaking down. There should be no buses more than
20 five minutes late. And, plus, the drivers' behavior
21 is just -- it's just outright ridiculous.
22 I was on my way to work back in March of 2013
23 and I was on the 4:00 airport sprinter going
24 outbound. And a CATS bus operator who was on the
25 last leg right before USAirways terminal, the bus
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1 driver said to me "I hope your faggot expletive lose
2 your expletive job." This is something I do not
3 need to be subjected to especially if I'm putting
4 money into a public transportation where I can trust
5 not to be stuck at, not to be waiting 45 minutes for
6 buses that might not even come and, really, when
7 $2.20, what -- really when I put into the
8 disposition of the question someone asked me, would
9 you rather put $35 in the tank to fill up a Honda or
10 would you pay $2.20 to catch a CATS bus. Right now
11 the way I'm feeling knowing that if my entire day
12 I've been late consistently on CATS, I can say that
13 I would rather fill up our Honda for $35, just put
14 that out there, because I'm not going to get to work
15 on time.
16 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Mr. Blocker-Chrockmorcon. I hope
17 I said that close to right. Thank you, sir, for
18 your comments.
19 Next I have Rashadin, are you here?
20 (No response.)
21 Joe Howarth, are you here?
Page | 184
22 (No response.)
23 Anne Roberts, are you here? Yes, Ms. Roberts.
24 You can go up -- if you want to go right up there,
25 that would be great.
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1 MS. ROBERTS: Good evening. This is my first time
2 speaking at any type of Charlotte public, so I don't
3 know the protocol. I am a regular CATS bus rider.
4 I ride it a lot. Whenever times like this where my
5 car is down, I'll hop on CATS. I don't have a whole
6 lot of complaints or a whole lot to say, but I wrote
7 a couple of notes I just wanted to share.
8 With the bus service that we have here in
9 Charlotte, I think it is really important to take it
10 to the next level. It's not enough just to provide
11 the bus service. The type of service that we're
12 providing is important. Just because you can get
13 that bus coming down the street doesn't always
14 alleviate the problem. It needs to be on time. It
15 needs to be clean. It needs to be safe. I've been
16 on some of the stinkiest buses. And I've been in
17 situations where I could not breathe and you cannot
18 open a window in the middle of winter to vent body
19 odor on a bus. It's prohibitive. So it's not just
20 the fact that the bus is coming down there. It's
21 got to be clean. It's got to be on time. It's got
22 to be safe. You can't be threatened on the bus.
23 You can't have people grabbing clothes and chase you
24 and cuss at you. These are the types of things I
25 too have had.
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1 And I can relate to the other gentleman who was
2 talking about being late. CATS buses is the best
3 way to lose your job. I have never -- you can get a
4 great job, but if you have to -- if you really have
5 to depend on the CATS bus to get there, you really
6 will at some point have to buy a car or have to find
7 some other reliable type of transportation. It's
8 just not coming up to par.
9 And Charlotte as a city -- I got here into
10 Charlotte when it was just a smaller city. I
Page | 185
11 started coming here in '88 when I was in college.
12 I've been here almost 30 years now and before Bank
13 of America when North Carolina National Bank became
14 NationsBank, then it became Bank of America after
15 that, and Charlotte has progressed.
16 I think it's important particularly with CATS
17 to take the service level up to the next point at
18 this point because it's not just that we have a bus
19 service. We've got to take it to the level so that
20 it matches where the city is going because the bus
21 level -- the level of service provided for the bus
22 is not at all -- it doesn't match where Charlotte
23 has come from. And Charlotte as a city has really
24 done a lot, but the bus service needs to come up.
25 And that's all I have to say.
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1 MR. FULLER: Thank you very much. Ms. Roberts, thank
2 you. Ezekiel Mack, are you here?
3 (No response.)
4 Gwendolyn Mitchell, are you here? Gwendolyn
5 Mitchell.
6 (No response.)
7 Nicholas Rowe, are you here?
8 (No response.)
9 No. Okay. Marcus Crump, are you here? Marcus
10 Crump?
11 (No response.)
12 All right. George Johnson, are you here?
13 George Johnson.
14 (No response.)
15 Myra Clark, are you here? Myra Clark.
16 (No response.)
17 Sean Collins, are you here?
18 MR. COLLINS: Yes, sir.
19 MR. FULLER: Come right up to the podium here. Welcome.
20 MR. COLLINS: Thank you. Not many people -- can you guys
21 hear me?
22 MR. FULLER: Yes.
23 MR. COLLINS: Not many people can afford a higher 20 or
24 25 cent tax hike. Of course, people are on a budget
25 from their jobs that they have and are holding that
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Page 20
1 job for as long as they can. The elderly can barely
2 pay a rate hike because many are on a budget,
3 especially those who are the widowed and live by
4 themselves and leave a little extra money for the
5 food they are able to buy. I am a student at the
6 community culinary school of Charlotte and when I
7 work in the kitchen, especially the food -- where
8 the packaged food will be shipped to the elderly,
9 they receive the meals to their homes or places for
10 the unfortunate -- for the unfortunate and
11 retirement homes.
12 Please, City Council, let us not to see -- let
13 us not see the elderly squander everything to ride
14 the city bus. That's what I have to say.
15 MR. FULLER: All right. Thank you very much. All right.
16 Christopher Jackson, are you here? Christopher
17 Jackson?
18 (No response.)
19 James Gavin, are you here? James Gavin?
20 (No response.)
21 Gimoghy Rice? Gimoghy Rice?
22 (No response.)
23 Laura Newell, are you here? Laura Newell?
24 (No response.)
25 Deangelo Wiggins, are you here? Deangelo
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1 Wiggins?
2 (No response.)
3 All right. Michelle Manning, are you here?
4 Michelle Manning?
5 (No response.)
6 Coren Childs, are you here? Mr. Childs, come
7 right up to the podium. All right, sir, welcome.
8 MR. CHILDS: Thank you. Good evening, everyone. First
9 of all, I'd like to thank the city officials and
10 CATS leadership for at least allowing the public the
11 opportunity to voice their opinion before inflicting
12 an increase in our budgets, in our personal budgets.
13 So we thank you for that.
14 It's obvious that the key to the growth of any
15 municipality would be its public transportation
16 system. When you're inviting your workforce from
17 other states and other municipalities who have an
Page | 187
18 in-place system, you are inclined to compete with
19 that, and to provide them the opportunity to, as
20 some of the other riders have explained, to maintain
21 their livelihood utilizing the service.
22 Some things need to be specifically addressed
23 and I'm going to bring that up here. The kiosk
24 service in the transit system, poorly manned at the
25 transit center. There will be one person handling
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1 customers, two people in the back counting, no one
2 takes the initiative to come up and help out that
3 individual when there seems to be a long line. That
4 causes people to miss buses. It is extremely -5 extremely puts you off of your schedule. As well as
6 the process when you have a defective weekly pass,
7 defective weekly pass with six days left on it, I
8 went to get it taken care of and I was handed an
9 application and a pen there at the window. We need
10 to do much better than that.
11 Getting down to the meat of it, there should
12 not be a year's long scheduling issue outstanding
13 anywhere in the CATS system. Bringing just one
14 example, the 11 bus, for years it has been
15 undermanned. People have been crowded on that bus
16 like sardines every morning. Not only is it an
17 inconvenience, but you're also increasing the
18 possibilities of people spreading things like the
19 flu, people cough without covering their mouths. So
20 cramming people into a space like that especially,
21 in the winter, you're increasing sick days, you're
22 increasing people calling out. It's doing nothing
23 but hurting the overall industry that relies on this
24 workforce.
25 I'm not going to take up too much time. I
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1
2
3
4
5
6
could be here all day speaking in regards to terms
of people that I know have lost their jobs riding
CATS. I found it myself getting eight occurrences
within a two-month period due to specific CATS
routes not being scheduled properly. I've made
several calls to 336 ride and it's been brought to
Page | 188
7 my attention that bus operations is not necessarily
8 in charge of the scheduling. So there's some
9 bureaucracy that we need to get out of the way. The
10 people who are in charge of scheduling need to be
11 directly in touch with the issues that affect the
12 riders that utilize your service.
13 MR. FULLER: All right. Thank you, Mr. Childs. All
14 right. Melody Gross, are you here? Come on up,
15 Ms. Gross. And welcome.
16 MS. GROSS: Thank you. Good evening. I just have a
17 couple of points, mainly from the report that was
18 given. And it talks about the $10,000 a year which
19 is considered low income. And then it talks about
20 the minorities.
21 My first thing is I'm not really sure of the
22 correlation between the number of minorities that
23 ride the bus versus a fare increase. So that
24 confuses me.
25 7.6 percent, that is the unemployment rate for
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1 Charlotte. 5 percent, that is the amount of Snap
2 benefits down for the year. That equals $20 for a
3 household of two. That is a weekly fare. It nearly
4 doubles when you do a household of four.
5 One of the things it said was appears to be no
6 disparate impact. Now, I wasn't sure what that term
7 meant. Were you referring to the unemployment term
8 or the actual definition of it? Because there is an
9 impact. A gallon of milk has gone up in the first
10 quarter 30 to 60 cents. 30 to 60 cents, that is a
11 lot when you're talking about someone making $10,000
12 a year. That is a lot when you're talking about
13 someone who's making $10,000 a year and they have a
14 child that's over five, so they have to pay for that
15 child on the bus. So it's deeper than just how much
16 they make. There is a disparity. There is an
17 impact, an adverse impact to these families and
18 these homes.
19 I particularly make a little bit more than
20 that. However, I initially was not going to come
21 because I have to travel almost two hours on the bus
22 from the southeast side to the northeast side to
23 take my son to school every day, every day. So it's
24 impactful.
Page | 189
25 $2 is generally good. But when you start to go
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1 to the weekly and it's going to go up to $22.55.
2 And the monthly, I've never bought a monthly pass
3 ever because it's just not in my budget to do it.
4 That impacts my electric, which has gone up as we
5 know, Duke has gone up, gas has gone up, water has
6 gone up. So while we are talking about the increase
7 in our transportation, you guys are not looking at
8 the big picture. The big picture affects the entire
9 income of everyone. Thank you.
10 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Ms. Gross. Daniel Bennett, are
11 you here?
12 MR. BENNETT: Yes.
13 MR. FULLER: Mr. Bennett, come on up to the podium.
14 MR. BENNETT: First off, I would like to say good evening
15 everyone, MTC, all the mayors represented, and
16 definitely the people from CATS. I would definitely
17 give you guys a round of applause for what you're
18 doing. Let's keep it up. Keep up the good work.
19 I'm also going to state in my community I
20 totally understand about all the raising and all the
21 increases, things do have to be done, but how could
22 we do it. I've been around -- been in Charlotte for
23 almost ten years and I have seen all the fare
24 increases. And, honestly, I would ask all of you to
25 get on it for right now and stay it for one more
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1 year. I'm kind of comfortable at the $2 mark. It's
2 something that I've already gotten used to. It's
3 hard enough to get used to it when it turns to $2,
4 but then after watching and working the $2 system,
5 $2 pattern has been good for me. I've not really
6 had any problems with it.
7 CATS is at times, it's almost like an extension
8 of what I can do. I've actually been able to take
9 advantage of the system to be able to get to places
10 that other people cannot get to work. I'm not
11 tooting my horn, that's just me. I get my raise.
12 Some people cannot do that because of their
13 situation.
Page | 190
14 But for that, I'm against the fare increase
15 overall, but then just slightly asking to put in
16 your mind to stay it to give us a chance to adjust
17 to all the changes, to what Duke is doing, to what
18 water is doing, and all that good stuff so we can be
19 prepared. Because I want CATS to function, I want
20 the -- so it can do what it's supposed to do. But
21 sometimes when progression happens, everybody else
22 gets left back here. Those of us that are behind
23 need to get caught up so we can all work together.
24 But other than that, I love what you guys do
25 and keep up the good work and you all have fun.
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1 Have a good evening.
2 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Mr. Bennett. Kenji Kellen, are
3 you here? Come on up to the podium.
4 MR. KELLEN: Well, here we are again, ladies and
5 gentlemen, and we have come no further than we were
6 before. Buses are still late, bus stops remain
7 inconsistent, and there are some nasty bus drivers
8 out there. I thought CATS would have learned by
9 now. Let's turn the clocks back. When Charlotte
10 first started a bus system, its main purpose was to
11 bus maids in the rich neighborhoods so that they can
12 clean the houses. That's your basic 9:00 to 5:00
13 job. Well, CATS apparently hasn't learned anything
14 because they are still running things on 9:00 to
15 5:00 basis.
16 Charlotte is supposed to be a world class city.
17 Our public transportation system is anything but.
18 We are stuck with a system that provides inadequate
19 transportation to mainly low income and disabled,
20 which I am both. You keep saying voice our opinion,
21 but it usually falls on deaf ears. Time has come to
22 improve, so CATS improve. Thank you.
23 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Mr. Kellen. Jessi McClain, are
24 you here? Yes, ma'am. Come right up to the podium.
25 Welcome, Ms. McClain.
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1 MS. McCLAIN: Thank you. Good afternoon to everyone. I
2 agree with the people that has spoke before me, but
Page | 191
3 I'm speaking for myself and some of my co-workers.
4 I want to say to CATS that I say within the last
5 four years you have changed your route that I need
6 to get to work. And two weeks ago one of the
7 drivers informed me that the route would no longer,
8 as of Monday, exist and that was true.
9 I've been in Charlotte over 30 years and most
10 of that 30 years I was driving until about seven
11 years ago. And because of health reasons, I became
12 somewhat not disabled, but my working ability
13 ceased. And so I'm living sort of on a fixed
14 income. I'm able to work, I'm willing to work, but
15 the transit system, you don't consider people that's
16 really willing to work.
17 I worked for a company for 22 years and within
18 the last four years you have rerouted the bus and
19 now you have completely cut it out going by my job.
20 I have to walk four blocks in the morning to get to
21 work. And that's hard on me and not only myself,
22 but people that work in that area. Some walk from
23 the stadium to wherever they have to go because of
24 the rerouting of the bus. And now you want an extra
25 20 cents. I'm telling you in a month's time, I can
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1 do a lot with 20 cents. Thank you.
2 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Ms. McClain. Scott Jernigan.
3 Come on up to the podium. Welcome.
4 MR. JERNIGAN: Thank you. I'd like to thank you all to
5 allow me to speak to you today. This has been going
6 on for quite sometime, as you know, and let's call
7 it what it is, regressive tax on the working poor.
8 If you make $20,000 a year, it's a bigger impact
9 than if you make $60,000 or $70,000 a year. I mean,
10 unfortunately, you know, in the past, you know, this
11 has been a sore subject.
12 Ever since Katrina hit us and the price of gas
13 spiked up to almost $4 a gallon, we didn't have much
14 of a choice in transportation services because our
15 operating costs went up. Fuel costs have not gone
16 down since Katrina. We're not seeing any break as
17 far as fuel going down, you know, for our
18 pocketbooks and stuff like that. Everything is
19 included in the increasing price. Public employees,
20 such as myself who work for the state, have only
Page | 192
21 seen a 2 percent increase in the last five years.
22 I understand, you know, bus drivers have a
23 tough job. It's not easy for them to be out there
24 at 11:00, 12:00 at night, stuff like that. It's a
25 tough job. When someone confronts them, it's a
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1 dangerous job, it could be. And I sympathize with
2 them.
3 The thing is we need to look at what else can
4 we do. There have been changes in the past. We did
5 implement advertising on the light rail. That was a
6 huge step as far as looking at alternative revenue
7 sources. We need to do more to look at alternative
8 revenue services as a whole in order to keep the
9 costs down. That's all I have to say. Thank you
10 very much.
11 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Mr. Jernigan. We do have one
12 addition tonight that I will allow, Shirley Cosey,
13 are you here? Come on up to the podium here.
14 Welcome.
15 MS. COSEY: Good evening. Thank you for your time. I'm
16 here tonight on behalf of everyone that is disabled.
17 I ride the CATS bus and I've been riding the CATS
18 bus since 2003. Last year they had a hike on fare
19 and I could barely afford that and I work part-time.
20 And it's very stressful for me to be here tonight.
21 But I had to come to speak on behalf of us that are
22 disabled.
23 We are on a fixed income and 20 cents is a lot
24 of money when you're trying to live and trying to
25 provide for yourself and still have an independent
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1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
life. But my overall CATS riding since 2003 have
been a pleasant experience. The bus drivers are
always nice and, you know, I get on the bus every
morning and I speak to the bus driver and they speak
back. But I haven't had any bad experience riding
CATS bus since 2003 and I'm thankful that the CATS
buses are there, but I'm asking you please do not
raise the fare because we don't get a salary every
year. Thank you.
Page | 193
10 MR. FULLER: Thank you, Ms. Cosey. That concludes all of
11 the people who have signed up or allowed to speak
12 for this public hearing. So I would entertain a
13 motion to close the public hearing.
14 MR. MESSERA: So moved.
15 MR. WOODS: Second.
16 MR. FULLER: Motion and second to close the public
17 hearing. All in favor.
18 (Motion to close the hearing passed unanimously.)
19 MR. FULLER: Thank you very much.
20 (Whereupon, the record was closed at 6:23 p.m.)
21 * * * * *
22
23
24
25
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF UNION
CERTIFICATE OF REPORTER
I, CHRISTINE A. TAYLOR, RPR, Notary Public do
hereby certify that the foregoing proceeding was taken
and transcribed under my supervision and direction; that
the parties were present as stated, and that I am not of
counsel for or in the employment of any of the parties to
this action, nor am I interested in the outcome of this
action.
I do further certify that the foregoing 31
pages constitute a true and accurate transcript of the
testimony.
This the 7th day of April, 2014.
CHRISTINE A. TAYLOR, RPR
Notary Public #19960530077
Page | 194
Communications & Advertisements
First communications to the public occurred on January 23, 2014 the morning after the FY2015/FY2016
budget was presented to the Metropolitan Transit Commission which included a proposal for the fare
increase. Communications to the public took several forms and included:
• Website posting of the proposed fare increase (website provides Google Translate in multiple
languages)
• E-Mail subscription notifications to all subscribers
• Printer rider alerts placed on all revenue vehicles in English and Spanish
• Hanging rider alert placed on all revenue vehicles in English and Spanish
• In-Shelter posters placed at all shelters with the capability to display information
• Multiple Newspaper ads:
o Charlotte Observer
o Charlotte Post
o Newspapers in each of the surrounding counties with CATS services
o Spanish written newspapers
• Press releases to all media with in the region
• Posting on Facebook and Twitter accounts
Page 195 of 233
APPENDIX D: LIST OF DISCOUNTED FARE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
JULY 1, 2012- JUNE 30, 2013.
The following list includes 155 organizations.
Community Choices, Inc.
A Child's Place
Community Support Service
Adult Care & Share Center
Crisis Assistance Ministries
Alexpress International
Crossroads Charter H.S.
ANUVIA Prevention & Recov
CTR For Comm. Transition
AREA Mental Health Auth.
CW Williams Comm. Health
Asheville Buncombe
Dress for Success
Behauilu Academy
DSS CSW
Blessed Assurance
Bradely-REID Case Management DSS Elderly General Pur.
DSS I
Care Ring
DSS II
Carolina Refugee
DSS Medicaid
Catholic Charities Diocese of
DSS-Supplemental Trans.
Charlotte
Easter Seals, UCP N.C.
Chandra Ashford
Exodus Foundation Org.
Changed Choices, Inc.
Family Forum
Charlotte Area Fund , Inc.
Fed. Halfway Mcleon CTR.
Charlotte Family Housing
First Baptist Church
Charlotte Housing Auth.
Florence Crittention Ser.
Charlotte Res. Doves-Nest
Freedom School Partners
Charlotte Rescue Mission
Friendship Comm. Dev. Corp.
Childrens Home Society of NC
Goodwill Industries
Christ Episcopal Church
Harbor Baptist Church
CMC- HEART Failure Clinic
Harvest CTR of CLT, Inc.
CMC- Main 6B MEDICAL
Hawthorne United Methodist
CMC- Main Clinical Care
Healthy Families Mecklenburg
CMC Mercy
Heavenly Hands Fam. Ser.
CMC Mercy Emergency Dept.
Hope-Haven
CMC MP Internal Medicine
Hyaets
CMC- Myers Park OB/GYN
Inner Vision Inc.
CMC Myers Park Orthopedic
Innovative Comm. Res.
CMC Observation Unit
INREACH
CMC Pediatric Neurology Care
Jacob's LAD
CMC Pineville Clinical CA.
KIPP Charlotte
CMC-COMM. Care Partners
Levine Cancer Institute
CMC-Guest Relations
LION Services
Department
Lois' Lodge
CMC-Mercy Nursing
Loving Care Adult Care
Administration
Loving Touch Adult D/C
CMC-MP Pediatrics
CMC-Pediatric ED
Lutheran Family Services
CMC-Randolph
Matthews Help Center
CMC-UNIV Clinical Care
Matthews Presbyterian Church
CMC-UNIV. EMERGENCY Dept.
Matthews United Methodist
Comm. Culinary School
McLeod Addictive Disease
Communities in SCHL-Main
Meck Pregnancy Care
Management
Meck Administration Office
Meck Care Coordination for
Children
MECK CO Sheriff's Office
Meck Co Women’s Commission
MECK County Health DEPT
Meck County Veterans Services
Meck Link
Meck STD HIV
Meckcares
Mecklenburg Ministries
Medical Resource 3719
Monarch
Mount Olive Adult Care
MT. Olive Baptist Church
Myers Park Baptist Church
Myers Park Presbyterian
Nevins Inc.
New Charlotte Church
New Friends Adult Care
PALS Adult Day Care Center
Park Road Baptist Church
PATS Place Child Advocacy
Center Inc.
Performing Arts for Youth and
Adults
Person-Centered Partners
Presby Behavior Health 7E
Presby Buddy Kemp Cancer
Presby Community Care
Presbyterian Hospital Guest
Services
Pritchard Memorial Baptist
Church
Q-Foundation, Inc.
Quality Home Care Service
Quality Family Services
Rescare Workforce Service
RHA Behavioral Health Park RD
& N. Tryon
RHA Howell Care Center
RISE Project of the CAR.
RYAN White Program
Page 196 of 233
Salisbury V.A.
Salvation Army -ARC MEN
Shelter Health Services
SocialServ.COM
ST. John's Baptist Church
ST. Thomas Aquinas Church
St. Vincent De Paul
Steele Creek Church
Supportive Housing Comm.
Teen Health Connection
The Good Fellows Club
The Kings Kitchen
The Relatives, Inc.
Third Presbyterian Church
Time Out Youth
Trinity Episcopal School
Truth Healing & Uniting
UMAR
United Family Services
University Adult Care Inc.
Uptown Men's Shelter
Urban League of Central
Urban Ministry
Vocational Rehabilitation
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Youth & Family Service
Youth Dev. Initiatives
YWCA Central Carolinas
Page 197 of 233
2014 City Lynx Gold Line Service Equity Analysis
Page 198 of 233
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Gold
Rush Red Line:
Title VI Service Equity Analysis
February 28, 2014
Revision 0 Draft 00
Charlotte Area Transit System
City of Charlotte
600 East Fourth Street
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Page 199 of 233
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 201
.1
Project Background
.1.1
Stations
.1.2
Operating Plan 202
.1.3
CityLYNX Gold Line
Public INVOLVEMENT
.1
202
202
202
202
Countywide Transit Services Plan
.1.1
202
Countywide Transit Services Plan Public Involvement
203
.2
Countywide Transit Services Plan Public Comment
.3
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Combined Communications Strategy
.3.1
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Public Comment 205
SERVICE EQUITY ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
.1
Legal and Regulatory Context
Datasets
206
.3
Definitions
206
.4
Study Area
207
.5
Service Area
Data Calculations
.5.1
206
206
.2
.4.1
206
206
Title VI Guidance and References
.1.1
204
207
207
Demographic Data
207
EXISTING CONDITIONS 208
.1
Route Level Demographic Data 208
.2
Demographics 208
.3
Gold Rush Red Line Service Characteristics
SERVICE EQUITY ANALYSIS
209
.1
Description of Route Changes
209
.2
Route Level Analysis
.3
Demographics 209
.4
Frequency/Headways
.5
Ridership
.6
Span of Service 210
.7
Travel Time Analysis
.8
Stop Spacing, Location, and Amenities 211
209
209
210
210
Printed copies of this document are uncontrolled copies.
208
205
.9
Vehicle Capacity
MITIGATION
211
211
Index of Tables
Table 2-1 CTSP Public Involvement and Outreach
Table 2-2 Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project Public Meetings
Table 4-1 Existing Service Area Demographics (Percent by Demographic Type)
Table 4-2 CPCC Minority Proportion of Student Enrollment
Table 4-3 Existing Gold Rush Red Line Headways (Minutes)
Table 4-4 Existing Gold Rush Red Line Span of Service
Table 5-1 Service Area Demographic Comparison
Table 5-2 2015 Gold Rush Red Line and CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Headways
(minutes)
Table 5-3 CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Span of Service
Table 6-1 CTSP 2012-2017 Gold Rush Red Line Public Comment
Index of Figures
Figure 1 Gold Rush Red Line
Figure 2 2030 Transit System Plan
Figure 3 CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One
Figure 4 2030 System Plan - CityLYNX Gold Line
Figure 5 CTSP Proposed Route 86 - Gold Rush Red Line
Figure 6 FY13-FY17 CTSP Public Meeting Locations
Figure 7 Gold Rush Red Line Low Income/Minority Census Tracts
Figure 8 CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One/Gold Rush Red Line-2015
Low Income/Minority Census Tracts
Figure 9 CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One-Gold Rush Red Line
Stop Location Comparison
1
INTRODUCTION
Page 201 of 233
The purpose of this document is to document the Title VI service equity analysis for changes to the
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Gold Rush Red Line shuttle service as a result of the
implementation of the City of Charlotte Streetcar Starter Service. The Gold Rush Service (Figure 1) is
currently a free service, jointly funded by CATS and Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP). The
Charlotte Streetcar Starter Service is currently planned to be a free service. Therefore at this time, a fare
equity analysis is not included as part of this document. The Charlotte Streetcar Starter project is
expected to begin revenue service in 2015.
1.1
Project Background
As part of the 2030 Transit System Plan (Figure 2), the Charlotte Streetcar Starter Line (Figure 3) is the
first phase of the proposed Center City Streetcar (Figure 4). The project will be funded by a $24.99 million
grant awarded in 2010 through the Urban Circulator Program administered by the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA). When complete the project will be the first mile and half of the proposed ten mile
Center City Streetcar. The alignment will extend along East Trade St and Elizabeth Ave to Hawthorne St
utilizing a half mile of existing track that was
installed as part of the Elizabeth Ave streetscape
project. With one terminus at the Charlotte
Transportation Center, CATS primary bus
transfer facility as well as a LYNX Blue Line light
rail
station and the other terminus at the Novant
Hospital main campus (formally Presbyterian),
the
project will provide service to numerous
attractions and facilities along the East Trade
St/Elizabeth Ave Corridor. Major destinations of
the
project area are the Time Warner Cable Arena,
Charlotte/Mecklenburg Government District,
Central Piedmont Community College and
Elizabeth Ave shops and restaurants.
CTC and LYNX Blue Line
1.1.1
Stations
1.1.2
Operating Plan
1.1.3
CityLYNX Gold Line
The Charlotte Streetcar Starter Line will have six stations. Stations will utilize a side or center platform
configuration, and will include shelters, lighting, benches, garbage cans, and public art.
The Charlotte Streetcar Starter Line service will operate seven days a week from approximately 6:00 am to 11:00
pm Monday thru Thursday, 6:00 am to 12:00 am on Friday, 8:00 am to 12:00 am on Saturday and on Sunday 9:00
am to 7:00 pm. The service will operate at 15-minute headways.
As with all of CATS services, branding and marketing are key elements. Therefore, in order to incorporate the
Center City Streetcar into CATS family of services, a new brand was developed. The CityLYNX Gold Line was
selected In May 2013 as the new brand for the Center City Streetcar. The Charlotte Streetcar Starter Line is the first
phase of the CityLYNX Gold Line and will be referred to in this document as the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One.
2
Public INVOLVEMENT
2.1
Countywide Transit Services Plan
Every five years, CATS updates the Countywide Transit Services Plan (CTSP). The CTSP is developed
to provide strategic analysis and recommendations for public transit service enhancements over a five
Page 202 of 233
year period. The plan focuses on three services: local bus service, neighborhood/community bus
services, and express bus service. This focus allows CATS to make recommendations concerning the
type and quantity of future bus services in the region.
This plan includes:
•
Public Engagement Process – A review of the public outreach efforts to educate and learn from
the passengers and the general public during the CTSP process
•
Review of CATS’ Existing Transit Services and Performance – A review of system performance
of existing transit services focusing on productivity, cost-effectiveness, and service reliability
•
Capital Development Recommendations – Recommendations regarding future Park and Ride
facilities
•
Five Year Service Plan – Development of an updated Five Year Plan for enhancing CATS transit
services through 2017
2.1.1
Countywide Transit Services Plan Public Involvement
Since the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One will be implemented during the time frame of the FY 13 - FY17 CTSP, the
resultant changes to the Gold Rush Red Line were incorporated into the CTSP. Figure 5 details the change included
in the CTSP. In order to receive public input on the CTSP, CATS developed a public involvement plan (PIP). The plan
consisted of publicly advertised meetings, presentations at neighborhood meetings, surveys, and stakeholder
meetings. Ensuring successful public involvement is a top priority for CATS; to achieve that goal CATS utilized the
following methods for public outreach and meeting notification:
• Neighborhood Association letters.
• Email notification.
• Meeting notification on CATS website as well as City of Charlotte’s events calendar.
• Rider’s Alerts on buses and trains.
• Media press releases.
• Advertisements placed in the local newspapers: Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Post (African American
Readership Newspaper), and Que Pasa (Latin American Readership Newspaper).
• Distribution of a survey at the initial public meeting and online.
As a result of the outreach methods outlined above, the CTSP was presented at 42 meetings to 592 attendees.
Table 2-1 provides detail on the meetings held during the public involvement phase of the CTSP. Figure 6 details
the geographic locations of the public meetings and their relationship to CATS
service area minority and low income census tracts within Mecklenburg County. Documentation for the geography
and methodology that determines CATS service area minority and low income census
tracts is described in Section 3 of this document.
Table 2-1
CTSP Public Involvement and Outreach
Date
October 4, 2010
October 5, 2010
October 7, 2010
October 11, 2010
October 11, 2010
Stakeholder / Neighborhood Association / Public Meeting
Grier Heights Neighborhood Association
Druid Hills Neighborhood Association
*Express Riders - Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library
Villa Heights Community Association
Madison Park Neighborhood Association
Attendance
27
20
12
15
32
Page 203 of 233
October 12, 2010
October 13, 2010
October 13, 2010
October 14, 2010
*South Boulevard Light Rail Facility
*North Regional Library
*Independence Regional Library
*Arbor Glen Outreach Center
1
0
3
0
October 14, 2010
October 18, 2010
October 19, 2010
October 21, 2010
October 21, 2010
October 25, 2010
November 1, 2010
November 2, 2010
November 3, 2010
November 3, 2010
November 4, 2010
November 4, 2010
Transit Services Advisory Committee
Third Ward Neighborhood Association
Toddville Neighborhood Association
*Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center
Charlotte East Community Partners
Center City Transportation Council
South End District
NoDa Neighborhood Association
Joint Use Task Force
CIGNA HealthCare
Washington Heights Neighborhood Association
*83X Public Meeting - Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library
8
13
4
19
11
11
48
23
19
1
8
2
November 8, 2010
November 12, 2010
November 16, 2010
November 16, 2010
November 16, 2010
November 18, 2010
November 22, 2010
November 23, 2010
December 7, 2010
December 13, 2010
December 16, 2010
August 9, 2011
Johnson C. Smith
Davidson College
Highland Creek Home Owners Association
Camp Green Neighborhood Association
Carolina Medical Center - Steele Creek
University City Partners
Langston Neighborhood Association
Parktowne Terrace-Charlotte Housing Authority
Allan Hills Neighborhood Association
Charlotte Transportation Center Fair
Greenville Community
*South Boulevard Light Rail Facility
8
6
40
24
3
18
14
33
19
25
0
13
August 11, 2011
August 13, 2011
August 16, 2011
August 17, 2011
August 18, 2011
August 24, 2011
August 30, 2011
September 8, 2011
September 21, 2011
*Charlotte Mecklenburg Government Center
Historic West End Neighborhood Association
*Arbor Glen Outreach Center
*North Regional Library
*Independence Regional Library
*University City Regional Library
*West Charlotte Recreation Center
*Gateway Village YMCA
Villa Heights Community Organization and McCreesh Place
14
12
0
10
7
6
17
16
30
*CATS Public Meeting
2.2
Countywide Transit Services Plan Public Comment
The CTSP PIP gathered public comment on all of CATS services. For the purposes of this document, only comments
related to the Gold Rush Red Line are included. Complete documentation of the CTSP public process can be
reviewed in the FY13- FY17 Countywide Transit Services Plan. Comments directly related to the Gold Rush Red Line
are detailed in the below list. Mitigation for any possible service impacts are detailed in section 6 of this document.
•
•
Operate evening service as well as all day service on Saturdays.
Provide more frequent service on the Gold Rush during peak and non-peak times for uptown travelers.
•
Provide additional service during uptown events for event attendees.
Page 204 of 233
2.3
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Combined Communications Strategy
In order to receive feedback from the public on the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One, the City of Charlotte developed
a Combined Communications Strategy. This strategy was successfully implemented during the construction of the
LYNX Blue Line. Just like the LYNX Blue Line, the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One project will require the coordination
of multiple city/county agencies. Thus far this strategy has guided the project through final design and into
construction. Goals of the Combined Communications Strategy are listed below.
•
•
•
•
•
Educate and inform the public about the project and the new mode of transportation.
Keep elected officials informed and engaged.
Provide up-to-date construction information to all interested parties.
Remind people about why the Streetcar is important.
Work with businesses to address their concerns and make them advocates of the project.
In order to achieve the aforementioned goals, the following outreach methods were applied.
• Email notification.
• Public Meetings were posted on the City of Charlotte’s events calendar.
• Media press releases.
• Advertisements placed in the local newspapers: Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Post (African American
readership newspaper, and Que Pasa (Latin American readership newspaper).
• Distribution of a surveys at public meetings and online.
• Designated Business Liaison responsible for contacting all businesses affected by the project.
• Business Roundtable was formed to provide input to the construction team
• Informational material such as fact sheets, postcards, progress reports, signage, flyers, posters doorhangars,
as well up to date project information on .charlottefuture.com.
As a result of the outreach methods outlined above, eleven public meetings were held. Table 2-2 provides detail
on the meetings held during the public involvement phase of the Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project.
Table 2-2
Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project Public Meetings
Date
Meeting Location
November 17, 2009
November 19, 2009
November 24, 2009
February 18, 2010
April 20, 2010
April 22, 2010
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
Johnson C. Smith University (Historically Black College located in Minority Community)
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
April 27, 2010
September 28, 2010
September 30, 2010
October 5, 2010
November 17, 2011
Johnson C. Smith University (Historically Black College located in Minority Community)
Memorial United Methodist Church
Johnson C. Smith University (Historically Black College located in Minority Community)
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center
2.3.1
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Public Comment
Page 205 of 233
The Combined Communications Strategy for the Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project gathered public comment,
primarily on the design and implementation of the Streetcar Service. For the purposes of this document, only
comments related to the Gold Rush Red Line are included. Comments directly related to the Gold Rush Red Line
are detailed in the below list. Mitigation for any possible service impacts are detailed in section 6 of this document.
•
•
3
Will CATS no longer provide the free Gold Rush service when the Streetcar is operational?
Will there be a fare free zone on the Streetcar?
SERVICE EQUITY ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
A Title VI service equity analysis was performed on the proposed changes to the Gold Rush Red Line Service as a
result from the proposed service changes associated with the implementation of the Charlotte Streetcar Starter
Project. This analysis determines if the proposed adjustments will have a disproportionately high and adverse
impact on minority and low-income populations. The analysis also recommends mitigation, where necessary.
3.1
Legal and Regulatory Context
This analysis complies with the legal requirements outlined in Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (42
USC § 2000d et seq.) July 1964. The analysis additionally uses the guidance and references described in
Section 3.1.1
3.1.1
Title VI Guidance and References
This document has been completed using the definitions, methodologies and guidance outlined in:
• FTA Title VI Service and Fare Equity Analysis Questionnaire, April 2011
• CATS Policy for Major Service Changes and/or Fare Change Reviews (CATS CivR01), August
2008
• Title VI and Title VI – Dependent Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients (FTA
Circular C 4702.1A), May 2007
• Title VI and Title VI – Dependent Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients FTA
Circular C 4702.1B), October 1 2012
3.2
Datasets
The following Geographic data was used to complete the demographic and ridership analysis for the service equity
analysis:
•
•
•
3.3
2010 U.S. Census Data – Tract Level Population by Race
2011 5 Year American Community Survey Data Table S1701 – Tract Level Poverty Status
Ridership data generated from CATS Transit Vehicle Automatic Passenger Counters (APC):
APC contains both infrared and temperature sensors which are located at each transit vehicle
door. The APC sensors are only activated when the doors open and motion is
detected. Information is collected as to how many people enter (boardings) and/or exit
(alightings) the transit vehicle. Concurrently, the APC collects the transit stop coordinates
(lat/long). A computer onboard each vehicle stores the data until it is transmitted to a fixed
database.
Definitions
Low Income – Poverty rate by tract level as defined by the U.S. Census American Community Survey
1
(ACS) 5-year estimates Table S1701.
1
The ACS survey replaced the Decennial Census Long Form, which previously asked questions about median income. The
Department of Health and Human Services was previously responsible for developing the poverty guidelines based on this
measurement of median income. CATS policy references the DHHS guidelines. BLE staff consulted with CATS Civil Rights staff,
who accepted the use of the ACS data and geography for this variable.
Page 206 of 233
Major Service Change Review – According to Section 4.0 of CATS CivR01 Policy for Major Service
Changes and/or Fare Change Reviews, a major service adjustment review will occur whenever there is a
major service adjustment to any transit service provided by CATS.
Major Service Adjustments – According to Section 4.1 of CATS CivR01 Policy for Major Service Changes
and/or Fare Change Reviews, a major service adjustment includes:
• A greater than 25% reduction in route miles or revenue hours for any set of routes or any single
route being modified within a corridor
• The abolishment of an existing transit route without a replacement
• The restructuring of transit service throughout a corridor as defined by CATS.
• Note: this policy is scheduled for update in September 2013, but this review qualifies under the
new standards.
Minority – In aggregate, Non-White/Non-Hispanic population by race by census tract as defined by the
U.S. Census 2010 Decennial Census.
3.4
Study Area
3.4.1
Service Area
The service area (in aggregate) is calculated:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
3.5
The entire CATS system bus and rail GIS polyline files are overlaid onto North/South Carolina census tract
polygons containing demographic data.
A ¾ mile buffer is calculated from the non-express bus and rail route polylines to represent both the fixedroute and Americans with Disability (ADA) complementary transit service.
A ¼ mile buffer is calculated from the express bus route polylines
The two buffers are then merged resulting in CATS total service area.
Census tracts with centroids within the service area are then selected.
The demographic data joined to the affected tracts is exported as a table.
Data Calculations
3.5.1
Demographic Data
3.5.1.1
Service Area Demographic Data
Demographic data is then calculated for the total CATS service area. Population by race is calculated using the
most recent decennial US Census tract level geography. Percent minority is calculated for service tracts to provide
a baseline comparison using the following formula.
•
Percent Minority = Total Service Area Minority Population / Total Service Area Population
Low income percentage is calculated using tract level below poverty data sourced by the most recent 5 year ACS
data table S1701. Percent low income is calculated for service area tracts to provide a baseline comparison using
the following formula.
•
Percent Low-income = Total Service Area Population Below Poverty / Total Service Area
Population whom Poverty Status is Determined
The resulting demographic data percentages are then used as a threshold to determine minority and low income
tracts. Any census tract that has a percentage of minority or low income populations at or higher than CATS
Page 207 of 233
Service Area demographic thresholds are considered minority or low income tracts for the purpose of Title VI
analysis.
3.5.1.2
Route Level Demographic Data
Demographic data for bus routes is calculated using the same method as described in section 3.5.1.1. However, In
the case of express routes, demographic data is only calculated for portions of the route where the route is in
service.
4
EXISTING CONDITIONS
4.1
Route Level Demographic Data
Demographic data for individual bus routes is calculated using the same method as described in section 3.5.1.1.
However, in the case of express routes, demographic data is only calculated for portions of the route where the
route is in service. A map of the existing Gold Rush Red Line detailing the minority and low income populations can
be viewed in Figure 7.
4.2
Demographics
Table 4-1 details the service area minority and low income populations for the Gold Rush Red Line.
Table 4-1
Existing Service Area Demographics (Percent by Demographic Type)
Service Area
Minority Proportion of Population
CATS entire service area
Gold Rush Red Line
47.52%
61.44%
Low Income Proportion of
Population
14.25%
26.04%
As stated in Section 1 of this document the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One project will travel through the campus of
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC). Considering that CATS customers use numerous routes for travel to
CPCC, there is a need to identify the minority proportion of the student enrollment. Table 4-2 details the 20122013 CPCC minority proportion of total student enrollment as reported to the U.S. Department of Education
Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics Postsecondary Education Data System.
Table 4-2
CPCC Minority Proportion of Student Enrollment
56.3%
4.3
Gold Rush Red Line Service Characteristics
The headways for the existing Gold Rush Red Line are listed in Table 4-3.
Table 4-3
Existing Gold Rush Red Line Headways (Minutes)
Route
Gold Rush Red Line
Note: “---“ refers to no service operated during time period
Peak
12
Time Period
Midday
12
Night
---
Page 208 of 233
The span of service for the Gold Rush Red Line is listed in Table 4-3.
Table 4-4
Existing Gold Rush Red Line Span of Service
Route
Weekdays
6:40am – 6:30pm
Gold Rush Red Line
Span of Service
Saturday
---
Sunday
---
Note: “---“ refers to no service operated during time period
5
SERVICE EQUITY ANALYSIS
5.1
Description of Route Changes
The Gold Rush Red Line provides free weekday transportation from Johnson C. Smith University through the
central business district of Uptown Charlotte connecting numerous destinations including the LYNX Blue Line,
Charlotte Transportation Center, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government District, Central Piedmont Community
College and medical facilities. The currently under construction CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One will begin revenue
service in 2015. Considering that the Streetcar would provide overlapping service (Figure 3) along the East Trade St
/ Elizabeth Ave corridor, CATS is proposing to alter the Gold Rush Red Line route as indicated in Figure 5. The
proposed Gold Rush routing would no longer travel east of the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC). The
Streetcar service would provide fare free connecting service to destinations east of the CTC
5.2
Route Level Analysis
A thorough service equity analysis was performed on the Gold Rush Red Line and the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase
One. Section 5.2 includes detailed analysis on the proposed restructuring of the Gold Rush Red Line and the
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One. Additionally, service level data including headways, span of service, and travel time
analysis are also described in Section 5.2. Mitigation for possible impacts to minority and low income populations
are detailed in Chapter 6.
5.3
Demographics
Utilizing the established methodology as described in Section 3, Table 5-2 compares minority/low income
population demographics for the existing service area to the service areas of the proposed restructured 2015 Gold
Rush Red Line and the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One (Figure 8).
Table 5-1
Service Area Demographic Comparison
Service Area
CATS entire service area
Gold Rush Red Line 2015
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One
5.4
Minority Proportion of Population
47.52%
67.06%
30.70%
Low Income Proportion of
Population
14.25%
28.67%
11.54%
Frequency/Headways
As stated in Section 5.1 the Gold Rush Red Line is proposed to be truncated at the CTC once the CityLYNX Gold Line
Phase One begins revenue service in 2015. Table 5-2 details the 2015 headways for the Gold Rush and Streetcar
services. Although Streetcar headways will slightly increase when compared to the existing Gold Rush, the
Streetcar would provide night and weekend service that is currently not provided by the Gold Rush (Section 5.5).
Along with the increase in service span and vehicle capacity (Section 5.9) offset any change to headway.
Table 5-2
Page 209 of 233
2015 Gold Rush Red Line and CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Headways (minutes)
Route
Gold Rush Red Line
Peak
15
Mid-Day
15
Night
---
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One
15
15
15
Note: “---“ refers to no service operated during time period
5.5
Ridership
The implementation of the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One would require the restructuring of the Gold Rush Red
Line in 2015. As a result a portion of the existing Gold Rush passengers would need to transfer to or from the
Streetcar in order to complete their trip. In order to better understand transfer impacts to existing Gold Rush
passengers, a cumulative load analysis based upon stop ridership was performed. This was achieved by utilizing the
following steps:
1.
2.
3.
Isolate a bus stop ridership dataset that excludes factors that would alter typical ridership, such as special
events, street closures or holidays. For this analysis, April 2013 average daily ridership by stop and
direction was used.
Sort the bus stops in order by the Inbound/Outbound direction.
Identify the segment of the route to be analyzed. For the purposes of this document the following
segments were used:
Inbound:
Outbound:
4.
Johnson C. Smith to the CTC
Novant Hospital\Elizabeth Ave Area to the CTC
For each direction, beginning with the first stop, the following formula was used:
Cumulative Load = (Target Stop Boardings + Prior Stop Boardings) – Target Stop Alightings
By using the steps outlined, the findings show that 5.93% of inbound passengers and 21.07% of outbound
passengers would need to transfer in order to complete their trip. Through this analysis it is evident that the
majority of current Gold Rush passengers would not require a transfer to or from the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase
One for trip completion.
5.6
Span of Service
The CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One would improve the span of service when compared to the existing Gold Rush
Red Line. The Gold Rush provides weekday only service. The Streetcar once implemented will provide consistent all
day service, including nights and weekends as detailed in Table 5-3.
Table 5-3
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Span of Service
Route
Gold Rush Red Line
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase
One
Monday-Thursday
6:40am - 6:30pm
Span of Service
Friday
Saturday
6:40am - 6:30pm
---
6:00am - 11:00pm
6:00am - 12:00am
8:00am - 12:00am
Sunday
--9:00am - 7:00pm
Note: “---“ refers to no service operated during time period
5.7
Travel Time Analysis
As previously covered in Sections 5.2.1 and 5.2.3 the implementation of the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One service
will not have a negative impact on the headways and span of service for the corridor currently served by Gold Rush
Red Line. The streetcar will operate in mixed traffic and not in a separate guideway. Since this is the same
operating environment as existing Gold Rush Red Line, there will be no measurable change to travel time for
passengers along the East Trade St/ Elizabeth corridor.
Page 210 of 233
5.8
Stop Spacing, Location, and Amenities
There is no discernible difference in the number of CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One stops when compared to the
Gold Rush Red Line stops Figure 9. There are fewer CityLYNX stops due to the fact that streetcar stops cannot be
located in the same manner as bus stops due to the required infrastructure and track location. From a service area
standpoint the CityLYNX stops will serve the same service area when ¼ mile walk distances are taken into
consideration. Additionally the streetcar service will extend free transit service to Novant Hospital and businesses
along Elizabeth Ave. Also, in many ways the streetcar CityLYNX stops will be more customer focused as passengers
will be able to board/alight in the same location. The current Gold Rush service has an open loop route structure
along East Trade St/Elizabeth Ave and East 4th St. This creates a situation where inbound and outbound stops are
located on different streets. Per CATS policy MTC-06 Transit Service Guidelines-Section 2.10, this is not an ideal
service situation. With the implementation of the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One project the open loop stop
locations will be discontinued. As far as amenities, there will be a slight increase in shelters and benches. Each of
the six CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One stops will include shelters, lighting, benches, garbage cans, and public art. By
comparison, of the nine Gold Rush Red Line stops that will be replaced by CityLYNX, only two have a shelter.
5.9
Vehicle Capacity
The vehicles that will be used for the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One project will improve capacity along the East
Trade St/Elizabeth Ave corridor. The current Gold Rush Red Line vehicles have a seated capacity of 27 with room
for an additional 14 standing, The CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One vehicles have a capacity of 48 seating with room
for an additional 57 standing. With the additional seating and standing capacity offered by the streetcar vehicles,
CATS customers will have less instance of standing. Additionally, as stated in Section 5.4 the headways for the
CityLYNX will increase along the Gold Rush Red Line corridor to 15 minutes. Although this is a slight increase in
headway from the 12 minutes offered by the Gold Rush Red Line, the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One vehicle
capacity and extended span of service offset any increase to headway.
6
MITIGATION
The public was notified of the Gold Rush Red Line proposed changes during the public involvement process for the
approved 2013-2017 CTSP; an additional public comment period for the Gold Rush Red Line changes will begin 60
days prior to Charlotte Starter Streetcar Line implementation. During that period, the proposed modifications
detailed in this Title VI Service Equity Analysis will be fully evaluated by the public before any change in service. In
addition to the public outreach mthods stated in Section 2 of this doicument, notification efforts will specifically be
focused on populations within ¾ of a mile of the Gold Rush Red Line and CPCC. Depending upon comments
received and the future existing conditions, additional mitigation may be necessary. Once the proposed Gold Rush
changes have been fully vetted by the public an updated Title VI Service Equity Analysis will be completed.
During the CTSP 2013-2017 public comment period there were comments related to the Gold Rush Red Line.
Those comments with mitigation responses are included in Table 6-1.
Table 6-1
CTSP 2012-2017 Gold Rush Red Line Public Comment
CTSP Public Comment
Operate evening service as well as all day service on
Saturdays.
Mitigation Response
The Streetcar service will replace the Gold Rush from the
Elizabeth Ave area to the CTC and will provide all day service
and weekend service.
Page 211 of 233
Provide more frequent service on the Gold Rush during peak
and non-peak times for uptown travelers.
Provide additional service during uptown events for event
attendees
Due to the number of streetcar vehicles that will be available
in 2015 to operate the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One service,
15 minute headways are the most that can be provided..
Although this is a slight increase in headway from the 12
minutes offered by the Gold Rush Red Line, the CityLYNX Gold
Line Phase One vehicle capacity and extended span of service
offset any increase to headway. Additionally, since the 2015
Gold Rush Red Line routing will be shorter than it is today,
there may be the opportunity to increase the headway. This
will be evaluated during the public comment period required
in advance of any permanent changes to the Gold Rush.
The Streetcar service will replace the Gold Rush from the
Elizabeth Ave area to the CTC and will provide all day service
and weekend service.
Public comment was also documented during the public involvement phase of the Charlotte Streetcar Starter
Project. Those comments with mitigation responses are included in Table 6-2.
Table 6-2
CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One Public Comment
CTSP Public Comment
Would CATS no longer provide the free Gold Rush service
when the Streetcar is operational?
Will there be a fare free zone on the Streetcar?
Mitigation Response
Since the CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One will operate along the
same corridor as a portion of The Gold Rush Red Line, the
Gold Rush is proposed to be truncated at the CTC once the
Streetcar service is implemented in 2015. Both services will
operate fare free. Gold Rush service from Johnson C. Smith
University to the CTC will be unaffected.
The CityLYNX Gold Line Phase One will provide fare free
service from the Elizabeth Ave area to the CTC
For the purposes of this initial Title VI Service Equity Analysis, there are no significant impacts to low income or
minority populations
1.1
MEMORANDUM
Page 212 of 233
TO:
FROM:
1.2
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela White
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Route Discontinuation Gold Rush Orange Line
April 29, 2013
The Gold Rush Orange Line is a community shuttle service that primarily provides service
along Tryon Street in between Morehead Street and Tenth Street. In addition, two morning
trips and four evening trips, serve the Charlotte School of Law. The Charlotte School of
Law (CSL) is relocating. The CSL is requesting discontinuation of the limited service to their
Morehead Street location. The Gold Rush Orange Line service is provided in partnership
with local, private and federal funding. The service operates Monday-Friday from 6:56 am –
6:05 pm. As a result of reduced private funding and exhausted federal funding, CATS is
proposing the discontinuation of the Orange Line. Carolyn Flowers, as Department
Director, is authorized to define “Major Service Change” policy for CATS.
The CSL is located in Census Tract 41, a Minority Census Tract. The main Orange Line
service operated for over ten years along Tryon Street. In August 2011, six trips were
extended to provide access to the CSL. According to CSL information, approximately 20%
of school’s student population is minorities. The school trips garner approximately six daily
passengers. Although the main Orange Line service does not operate within a Minority
Census Tract, three of the four Census Tracts are Low-Income. Although the proposed
Page 213 of 233
discontinuation of the Orange Line would affect current Orange Line riders, CATS will
maintain service along Tryon Street with existing local routes: 2 Ashley Park, 11 North
Tryon, 13 Nevins Road, 16 South Tryon, 19 Park Road, 22 Graham Street and the Sprinter
Airport. Thus, these passengers maintain service varies options. CATS will maintain
service along a portion of Morehead Street near the former CSL location. The Orange Line
operates approximately 179.60 total daily route miles. Thus, passengers will maintain
service operation that exceed the current service hours operated by the Orange Line
service.
12.58% (22.8 total daily route miles) operate to the CSL (within the Minority Census Tract).
This represents less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the routes total route miles. The
service area of the main Orange Line does not operate within a Minority Census Tract.
Although the trips that serviced the CSL operated in a minority area, the population of
students attending CSL has a Minority Population of 20%. As a result of 12.58% route miles
within the Minority Census Tract, the limited total service, and the Low Minority (20%)
Population of students attending the CSL, the Orange Line is not considered a Minority
Route. If the proposal is approved, the implementation will be in July 2013.
CATS held two public meetings to receive feedback on the proposal to discontinue the
operation of the Gold Rush Orange Line. The public meetings were held on May 8, 2013
and February 19, 2013. In addition, passengers who were unable to attend the meeting
were able to submit comments utilizing the CATS website or Customer Service Department.
Notices of the public meetings were made available on the CATS website, CATS Gold Rush
vehicles, email alerts to Gold Rush subscribers, sent to local media outlets, and printed in
the Charlotte Observer Newspaper. The meeting notifications were printed in English and
Spanish. CATS website where the electronic notices were posted translates into more than
50 languages. Nine people attended the public meeting. Comments concerning the
proposal indicated attendees desire to maintain service at the current level or increase the
level of service.
As CATS faces major funding challenges, retaining this route could force the reduction of
other services that would likely have a negative impact on all transit riders, including
minority and low-income riders. Therefore, CATS staff finds that discontinuing the Orange
Line service is in the best public interest. The alternative of maintaining the service would
have more severe adverse effects by requiring the elimination of 9,606 annual hours. In
addition, private and federal funding has been eliminated and maintaining the Orange Line,
CATS will violate the Metropolitan Transit Commission Financial Policy.
Attachments
Attachment #1- Orange Line Route Census Information
Attachment #2- Gold Rush Orange Daily Route Miles
Page 214 of 233
Attachment #3 CATS System Routes with Poverty Area Tracts
Attachment #4 Orange Line
Attachment #5 CATS Poverty Area Tracts
Attachment #6 CATS System Routes with Minority Tracts
1.3
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
1.4
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela White
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Route Discontinuation of 18 Selwyn Avenue
March 22, 2013
The Countywide Transit Service Plan FY 2012-2017 (CTSP) was adopted by the
Metropolitan Transit Commission in February 2012. The CTSP is developed to provide
strategic analysis and recommendations for public transit service enhancements over a five
year period. The plan focuses on three services; local bus service,
neighborhood/community bus service, and express bus service. This focus allows CATS to
make recommendations concerning the type and quality of future bus services in the region.
Consistent with the recommendations of the CTSP, CATS is proposing the discontinuation
of the Route 18 Selwyn Avenue. As part of the proposed discontinuation, CATS will
maintain service along the more productive service areas of the Route 18 as well as a low
income Census Tract. The Route 18 does not operate in a minority Census Tracts. Census
Tract 3 is a low income Census Tract located within the 18 Selwyn Ave service. However,
less than 25% of Census Tract 3 is served by the Route 18. In order to meet the needs of
the residents of Census Tract 3, CATS is adding trips to the Route 6 Kings Drive to maintain
service in Census Tract 3. The Route 6 Metropolitan will provide four trips to residents
within Census Tract 3. The 18 Selwyn Ave operates weekday service 5:30 am to 10:30pm.
The Route 18 does not operate on Saturdays and Sundays. If the proposal is approved, the
implementation will be in June 2013. Carolyn Flowers, as Department Director, is authorized
to define “Major Service Change” policy for CATS.
Page 215 of 233
Minority Population
Minority population is defined as non-white persons, those of Hispanic origin, or those not
having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Using 2010 Census data, the average minority population (Non-White and Non-Hispanic)
within the Mecklenburg County 46.6%, census units with minority population greater than
46.6% is defined as predominantly minority areas. Charts of the minority population for the
service area of the Route 18 Selwyn Avenue are included in the Attachment #1: Route 18
Population. The minority population within the Route 18 service area is 4.7%. Thus, the
service area is not a minority area.
Low-Income Population
Low income means a person whose median household income is at or below the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) poverty guidelines. The DHHS
Poverty guideline thresholds are based on household sizes and incomes. The 2010 US
Census used nearly identical thresholds to define poverty. Using 2013 Census data the
Percentage of Poverty individuals in the Mecklenburg County is 13.6%. Census units with
population greater than 13.6% are defined as predominantly low-income areas. A chart of
the predominantly low income in which the Route 18 Selwyn Avenue operates a Census
Tracts maps are included in Attachment #1 Route 18 Population. The Low Income
population of the Route 18 service is 4.5%. Census Tract 3 has a Low Income Percentage
of 20.6. This percentage exceeds threshold of 13.6%. However, less than 25% of Route
Census Tract 3 is area is served by route services. In addition, the overall Low-Income
Population is less than 13.6%. Thus, the service area of the 18 Selwyn Ave is not a low
income route.
Route Elimination Background
Route 18 Selwyn Ave is a local bus route providing service from uptown Charlotte to
SouthPark Mall. It operates shorter service than most local routes (5:30am – 10:30 pm),
with no Saturday or Sunday service. The route provides 45 minute service throughout the
day. It has one minor variant, serving Arborway with two trips per day.
The Route 18 ridership has consistently failed to maintain average ridership level similar to
other local bus routes. The 18 Selwyn Ave is the lowest performing local route with a
performance rating of .53 of 1.00 rating. The average Subsidy for the local services is $1.04.
The average Subsidy for the 18 Selwyn Ave is $3.22. The Average Passenger per Hour for
local services is 34.61 and the 18 Selwyn Ave carries 17.1 Passengers per Hour average.
Public Outreach and Customer Input
On February 21, 2013, CATS held a public meeting to discuss the proposed discontinuation
of the Route 18. The meeting notification was printed in English and Spanish. CATS
Page 216 of 233
website where the electronic notices were posted translates into more than 50 languages.
The meeting was held at the Morrison Regional Library located at 7015 Morrison Boulevard.
In ordered to accommodate the common work times, the meeting was held 4:00 pm until
7:00 pm. CATS provided notification of the meeting utilizing CATS email subscriber, printed
notice in the Charlotte Observer, posted notices on vehicles, and a press release to the
local media. The meeting was designed to discuss the proposed changes to the Route 18.
Eighteen residents attended the meeting. CATS staff provided information on the route
discontinuations, why they are necessary, repercussions if they did not occur, and
proposed/alternative routes projected for implementation in June 2013. Attendees indicated
that the essential connects for their area was the connection to the Central Piedmont
Community College and the Charlotte Transportation Center (CTC). In March 2013, CATS
met residents of a multi-family low income housing unit in Census Tract 3. Fifty-two
residents attended the meeting. The residents expressed the need to maintain a
connection to the CTC. On March 20, 2013, CATS conducted an on-board customer survey
to receive feedback on the proposal to discontinue the Route 18. Thirty-two customers
completed the survey. 21% of the survey passenger indicated a household at or below the
Poverty Level.
Assessing the Service Alternatives
CATS has a proposal to consolidate the more effectively used areas of the Route 18 Selwyn
Ave bus stop with the Route 20. Thus, passengers along the some of the most utilized
areas of the Route 18 will have the option of utilizing the Route 20.
• Consolidate some of the most productive areas of the Routes 18 with the Route 20
• Route 20 unchanged between Uptown and Queens Road, as well as between South
Park and Pineville
• More direct service to Queens University
• 6 Metropolitan trips will serve Charlottetowne Terrace via Kenilworth Avenue
Actions Taken to Offset the Effects
The public outreach will consist of promoting use of the Route 6 Kings Dr, 6 Metropolitan,
20 Sharon Rd, and 25 Clanton Rd. CATS introduced a new variant to Route 6 Kings Dr.
The 6 Metropolitan will provide four trips daily for passengers between the low income tract
and the Charlotte Transportation Center.
Determination of Disproportionate Impacts
An assessment of the completed surveys indicated 21% of surveyed passengers reported a
household income below the poverty level status (7 passengers). Approximately 25% of
those surveyed passengers reported a household income of equal to or greater than
$50,000. In addition, only 4 of surveyed passengers reported an income that could fall
within the poverty line for a family of up to 4 people.
Page 217 of 233
CATS provides four alternative bus routes options for Route 18
passengers. In addition, CATS is implementing the 6 Metropolitan bus
route service for passengers in Census Tract 3, a low income Census
Tract. Thus, the elimination of the Route 18 does not disproportionately
impact low income passengers. In addition, the route does not operate within a minority
census tract. As CATS faces major funding challenges, retaining this route could force the
reduction of other services that would likely have a negative impact on all transit riders,
including minority and low-income riders. Therefore, CATS staff finds that discontinuing the
Route 18 is in the public interest and that the alternative of maintaining the service would
have more severe adverse effects by requiring the elimination of 8,045 annual hours.
Attachments
Attachment #1- Route 18 Route Census Information
Attachment #2-CATS Minority Service Area
Attachment #3 CATS Poverty Area Tracts with Routes
Attachment #4 CATS Poverty Area Tracts with Routes and Stops
Attachment #5 CATS Poverty Area Tracts
Attachment #6 CATS Minority Service Area with Routes
Attachment #7 CATS Minority Service Area with Routes and Stops
Attachment #8 Route 18 Selwyn Avenue
1.5
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
1.6
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela White
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Route Discontinuation of 40X Pence Road
April 16, 2013
The Countywide Transit Service Plan FY 2012-2017 (CTSP) was adopted by the
Page 218 of 233
Metropolitan Transit Commission in February 2012. The CTSP is developed to provide
strategic analysis and recommendations for public transit service enhancements over a five
year period.
The plan focuses on three services; local bus service,
neighborhood/community bus service, and express bus service. This focus allows CATS to
make recommendations concerning the type and quality of future bus services in the region.
Consistent with the recommendations of the CTSP, CATS is proposing the discontinuation
of the Route 40X Pence Rd and the replacement of the service with the new 46X Harrisburg
Road Express. Like the 40X Pence Rd, the 46X will operate peak service on weekdays
6:00am – 7:00pm. The 46X Harrisburg Road Express will operate along the same street
network and service area with the exception of Pence Rd. Pence Rd is the most
unproductive section of the 40X Pence Road generating approximately seven daily
passengers. If the proposal is approved, the implementation will be in June 2013.
CATS held two public meetings to receive feedback on the proposal to discontinue the 40X
Pence Road and the replacement of service with the new 46X Harrisburg Road Express.
The public meetings were held on February 19, 2013 at Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library
and Hickory Grove Library. In addition passengers were able to submit comments utilizing
the CATS website or Customer Service Department.
Notices of the public meetings were made available on the CATS website, CATS vehicles,
email alerts to 40X Albemarle Road Express subscribers, sent to local media outlets and
printed in the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Post, and La Noticia newspapers. The meeting
notifications were printed in English and Spanish. CATS website where the electronic
notices were posted translates into more than 50 languages. Twelve people attended the
public meetings. Comments concerning the proposal indicated that people were not
concerned with the cut in the 40X Pence Road service and were generally content with the
additional 46X Harrisburg Road Express.
According to CATS Major Service Changes and/or Fare: CATS CivR01, Section 4.1, a
Major Service Change Analysis is required as a result of the abolishment of an existing
transit route without a replacement. CATS is replacing the 40X Pence Rd with the 46X
Harrisburg Road Express. Thus, a Major Service Change Analysis is not required. Carolyn
Flowers, as Department Director, is authorized to define “Major Service Change” policy for
CATS.
Attachments
Attachment #1- Route 40X Route Census Information
Attachment #2-Route Albemarle Express
Attachment #3 40X Pence Road Census Tracts
Page 219 of 233
1.7
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
1.8
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela Seward
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Route Discontinuation of 78X Wachovia Express
June 15, 2011
TITLE VI AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BACKGROUND
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides that “No person in the United States shall, on
the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal
Financial assistance.” The FTA issued guidelines on May 14, 2007, FTA Circular 4702.1A,
describing the contents of the Title VI compliance to be adopted by recipients of the FTA
administered funds for transit programs. The guidelines require transit providers to prevent
disparate impact and treatment on minority population when conducting significant service
changes like those planned for Route 78X Celanese Express. Specifically, the Circular
requires that recipients of federal funding “evaluate significant system-wide service and fare
changes and proposed improvements at the planning and programming stages to determine
whether those changes have a discriminatory impact.”
On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898 which states “Each
Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying
and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and
low-income populations in the United States.” Transit equity concerns arise when wealthier
and more educated segments of society receive greater transportation benefits while
communities of color or low-income receive or experience higher negative transportation
impacts. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI and Metropolitan Council guidelines
Page 220 of 233
were used to understand impacts on low-income and minority populations. The following
group definitions were used.
Minority Population
Minority population is defined as non-white persons, those of Hispanic origin, or those not
having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Using 2000 Census data, the average minority population (non-white) within the
Mecklenburg County 34%, census units with minority population greater than 34% is
defined as predominantly minority areas. Charts of the minority population for the service
area of the Route 78X Celanese Express are included in Attachment #1. The minority
population within the service area is 16.2%. Thus, the service area is not a minority area.
Low-Income Population
Low income means a person whose median household income is at or below the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) poverty guidelines. The DHHS
Poverty guideline thresholds are based on household sizes and incomes. The 2000 US
Census used nearly identical thresholds to define poverty. Using 2000 Census data the
Percentage of Poverty individuals in the Mecklenburg County is 9.20%. Census units with
population greater than 9.20% are defined as predominantly low-income areas. A chart of
the predominantly low income in which the Route 78X operates a Census Tracts maps are
included in Attachment #2. The Low income population within the service is 7.6%. Thus,
the service area of the 78X is not a low income area.
Route Elimination Background
Express bus routes operate at higher speeds than regular routes because they often
operate on highways and make fewer stops. Express routes allow passengers to travel long
distances at speeds faster than that of the regular bus routes. On October 2010, CATS
implemented Route 78X Celanese Express in response to a need to provide commuter
service from the Celanese Corridor to CATS LYNX Blue Line. The 78X Celanese Express
operates utilizes I-77 and I-485. The service operates from 6:22am to 6:14pm on Monday
thru Friday.
The Route 78X ridership was modest at implementation and failed to maintain average
ridership level similar to other regional express bus routes. In the Spring 2011, CATS
evaluated the Route 78X ridership performance. The route carries an average of 4
passengers per hour. Similar regional express bus routes carry an average of 22.33
passengers per hour. The Route 81X subsidy per passenger is $20.29 the average subsidy
per passenger for a similar express route is $1.09 per passenger. Due to the low ridership
and the low cost effectiveness staff is recommending a discontinuation of this route.
Public Outreach and Customer Input
Page 221 of 233
During the week of June 5, 2011, CATS conducted an on-board customer
survey to receive feedback on the proposal to discontinue the Route 78X.
12 customer surveys were returned and three customers attended the
public meeting held on April 14, 2011. The meeting time and location of
the public meeting was selected as an advantage to for commuters
utilizing the Route 78X.
Assessing the Service Alternatives
Route 78X offers four inbound trips and four outbound weekday trips between the Celanese
Rd Corridor and the LYNX I-485 Blue Line Station. On average, the travel time for the Route
78X is 33 minutes. The 82X Rock Hill Express provides weekday access to Rock Hill and
Fort Mill, SC as well as a Park and Ride opportunity. The Route 82X provides 4 morning
trips and 4 evening commute trips to the CTC LYNX Blue Line Station with an average
travel time of 60 minutes. The regional fare for the 82X is the same the 78X. Customers
also gain the opportunity to transfer to multiple bus routes at the CTC.
Actions Taken to Offset the Effects
The public outreach will consist of promoting use of the alternative bus route. Vanpool
information will also be provided to inquiring passengers.
Determination of Disproportionate Impacts
An assessment of the completed surveys indicated 25% of surveyed passengers reported a
minority status (three passengers). Approximately 50% of those surveyed passengers
reported a household income of equal to or greater than $50,000. In addition, only 4 of
surveyed passengers reported an income that could fall within the poverty line for a family of
up to 4 people.
CATS provides one alternative bus routes options the Route 78X passengers. Thus, the
elimination of the Route 78X. In addition, the route nor the service area is concerned a
minority and low-income census tracts. As CATS faces major funding challenges, retaining
this route could force the reduction of other services that would likely have a negative
impact on all transit riders, including minority and low-income riders. Therefore, CATS staff
finds that discontinuing the Route 78X is in the public interest and that the alternative of
maintaining the service would have more severe adverse effects.
Attachments
Attachment #1- 78X Minority Population in Service Area
Attachment #2- 78X Low Income Population in Service Area
Attachment #3 Tracts with Poverty Level with Route
Attachment #4 Tracts with Poverty Level with Routes and Stops
Attachment #5 Tracts at Poverty Level
Page 222 of 233
1.9
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
1.10
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela White
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Route Discontinuation of 79X Concord Mills Exp
April 16, 2013
The Route 79X Concord Mills Express is a regional express service that operates on
Saturdays between 9:00 am – 10:00 pm. The service operates between uptown
Charlotte and Concord Mills Mall. The 79X is provided in partnership with the City of
Concord. As a result of consistently low ridership, the City of Concord expressed the
need to discontinue service. Carolyn Flowers, as Department Director, is authorized to
define “Major Service Change” policy for CATS.
Minority Population
Minority population is defined as non-white persons, those of Hispanic origin, or those not
having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Using 2010 Census data, the average minority population (Non-White and Non-Hispanic)
within the Mecklenburg County 46.6%, census units with minority population greater than
46.6% is defined as predominantly minority areas. Charts of the minority population for the
service area of the Route 79X are included in the Attachment #1: Route 79X Census
Information. The minority population within the Route 79X service area is 65.1%. In
addition, the Route 79X fourteen (14) of the 17 Census Tracts served by the route are
considered Minority Census Tracts. Thus, the service area is a minority area.
Low-Income Population
Low income means a person whose median household income is at or below the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) poverty guidelines. The DHHS
Poverty guideline thresholds are based on household sizes and incomes. The 2010 US
Census used nearly identical thresholds to define poverty. Using 2013 Census data the
Percentage of Poverty individuals in the Mecklenburg County is 13.6%. Census units with
population greater than 13.6% are defined as predominantly low-income areas. A chart of
the 79X predominantly Low Income Census Tracts maps is included. In addition,
Attachment #1 Route 79X Census Information provides information on the Low Income
population. The 79X serves twelve Low Income Tracts. The Route 79X has a Low Income
Page 223 of 233
Population of 17.2%. This percentage exceeds threshold of 13.6%. Thus, Route 79X is
considered a Low-Income Route.
Route Elimination Background
Route 79X Concord Mills is an express bus route that operates on Saturdays. CATS began
operating the It operates between uptown Charlotte and Concord Mills Mall. Unlike other
express bus services, the 79X operates one day per week and provides the service
throughout the day. It provides seven inbound and seven outbound trips between 9:00am
and 10:00 pm.
Public Outreach and Customer Input
On April 2, 2013, CATS held a public meeting to discuss the proposed discontinuation of the
Route 79X. The meeting notifications were printed in English and Spanish. CATS website
where the electronic notices were posted translates into more than 50 languages. The
meeting was held at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Main Library located at
310 North Tryon Street. In ordered to accommodate the commuter’s travel time, the
meeting was held 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. CATS provided notification of the meeting
utilizing CATS email subscriber, printed notice in the Charlotte Observer, posted notices on
vehicles, and a press release to the local media. No passengers attended the meeting. In
addition, to the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal to discontinue the Route
79X, CATS conducted an on-board survey. On March 23, 2013, CATS survey passengers
boarding the Route 79X. Twenty-two passengers were surveyed. Two of the surveyed
passengers indicated that they use the route every Saturday. 36% of the passengers
indicated that they utilize the service once a month. The remaining passengers indicated
that they utilize the service two or three times a month.
Assessing the Service Alternatives
CATS operates the Route 11 and 80X along N Tryon. The Route 11 operates provides
access to this area seven days a week. In addition, the Route 11 operates between 5:00am
through 2:00am on weekdays and Saturdays, and 6:00am through 1:00am on Sundays. In
addition, Route 80X and other uptown routes provide access along the 79X that exceeds
the current service span hours. The 79X has twenty-two bus stops along its bus route.
Eighteen (18) of the twenty-two bus stops would maintain service with Routes 11, 80X, and
the numerous bus routes that provide service in the uptown Charlotte area. These services
provide transit access that equal or exceed the current service operated by the 79X. . As a
result of the proposed discontinuation of the 79X, four (4) bus stops would not be served by
any of CATS’ bus route services. Passengers utilizing those bus stops would be adversely
affected by the discontinuation of the Route 79X.
Actions Taken to Offset the Effects
The public outreach would consist of promoting use of the alternative bus routes. Vanpool
information will also be provided to inquiring passengers.
Page 224 of 233
Determination of Disproportionate Impacts
Bus stop analyses of the Route 79X indicated that 18% (4) of the bus stops would not be
served by the implementation of this proposal. Thus, discontinuing the 79X would adversely
affect those passengers traveling to the Embassy Suite and Concord Mills Malls on
Saturdays. However, these passengers will maintain weekday access to the Concord Mills
Mall.
77% of the surveyed passengers indicated an ethnicity of a minority status. CATS
conducted an on-board customer survey to receive feedback on the proposal to discontinue
the Route 79X. Twenty-two customers completed the survey. The responded survey
indicated the following demographic information;
• Three (3) passengers indicated a household income less than $15,000;
• Three (3) passengers indicated a household income of $15,000-24,999;
• Thirteen (13) passengers indicated a household income of 25,000-49,999;
• One (1) passengers indicated a household income of $50,000-74,999
• 77% (17) of the passengers were minorities, 18% (4) were non-minorities, and one
passenger did not respond.
CATS provides Routes 11 and 80X alternative bus routes to passengers traveling along
North Tryon. Passengers traveling within the uptown area have numerous bus route
options. Thus, the elimination of the Route 79X is not likely to have an adverse impact on
the minority and low-income census tracts traveling along North Tryon Street and uptown
Charlotte. However, passengers traveling to Concord Mills Mall and Embassy Suites on
Saturdays will have an adverse impact to their travel patterning.
As CATS faces major funding challenges, retaining this route could force the reduction of
other services that would likely have a negative impact on all transit riders, including
minority and low-income riders. Metropolitan Transit Commission Financial Policy MTC-01
Section 2.7 indicates that services designed to serve residents outside Mecklenburg
County, CATS will cover a portion of the incremental operating cost of the service up to a
maximum of 50%. Thus, 50% of the operating must be share with a governmental unit.
The City of Concord notified CATS of their intention not to renew the contract for the 79X
Concord Mills Express. Therefore, continuing the operation of the 79X would violate
established MTC Financial Policy. In addition, CATS staff finds that discontinuing the Route
79X is in the public interest and that the alternative of maintaining the service would have
more severe adverse effects by eliminating nearly 700 annual service hours.
Attachments
Attachment #1- Route 79X Route Census Information
Attachment #2-79X Concord Mill Mall Census Tracts
Attachment #3- System Map 2010 Poverty Routes
Page 225 of 233
Attachment #4- System Map 2010 Minority
Attachment #5- System Map 2010 Minority Route and Stops
1.11
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
1.12
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Arlanda Rouse, Civil Rights Officer
Pamela Seward
Charlotte Area Transit System -CATS
Title VI Review of Proposed Route Discontinuation of 94 Matthews-Mint Hill
April 5, 2013
TITLE VI AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE BACKGROUND
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 provides that “No person in the United States shall, on
the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal
Financial assistance.” The FTA issued guidelines on October 1, 2012, FTA Circular
4702.1B, describing the contents of the Title VI compliance to be adopted by recipients of
the FTA administered funds for transit programs. The guidelines require transit providers to
prevent disparate impact and treatment on minority population when conducting significant
service changes like those planned for Route 94 Matthews-Mint Hill. Specifically, the
Circular requires that recipients of federal funding “evaluate significant system-wide service
and fare changes and proposed improvements at the planning and programming stages to
determine whether those changes have a discriminatory impact.”
On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued Executive Order 12898 which states “Each
Federal agency shall make achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying
and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and
low-income populations in the United States.” Transit equity concerns arise when wealthier
and more educated segments of society receive greater transportation benefits while
communities of color or low-income receive or experience higher negative transportation
impacts. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI and Metropolitan Council guidelines
were used to understand impacts on low-income and minority populations. The following
Page 226 of 233
group definitions were used.
Minority Population
Minority population is defined as non-white persons, those of Hispanic origin, or those not
having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.
Using 2010 Census data, the average minority population (Non-White and Non-Hispanic)
within the Mecklenburg County 46.6%, census units with minority population greater than
46.6% is defined as predominantly minority areas. Charts of the minority population for the
service area of the Route 94 Matthews-Mint Hill are included in the Attachment #1: Route
94 Census Information Population. The minority population within the Route 94 service
area is 24%. Thus, the service area is not a minority area.
Low-Income Population
Low income means a person whose median household income is at or below the
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) poverty guidelines. The DHHS
Poverty guideline thresholds are based on household sizes and incomes. The 2010 US
Census used nearly identical thresholds to define poverty. Using 2013 Census data the
Percentage of Poverty individuals in the Mecklenburg County is 13.6%. Census units with
population greater than 13.6% are defined as predominantly low-income areas. A chart of
the predominantly low income in which the Route 94 operates a Census Tracts maps are
included in Attachment #2 Route 94 Census Information. The Low Income population of the
Route 94 service is 7.1%. Thus, the service area of the 94 Matthews-Mint Hill is not a low
income route.
Route Elimination Background
Route is a lowest performing route in the CATS bus route system. Route 94 carries an
average of 7 passengers per day. Continuing to operate this service would require service
reductions to other areas. Those service reductions would adversely affect minorities and
low income passengers.
Public Outreach and Customer Input
CATS held a public meeting to receive feedback on the proposal to discontinue the
operation of the Route 94. The public meeting was held on February 25, 2013, at the
Matthews Public Library at 230 Matthews Station Street. In addition, passengers who were
unable to attend the meeting were able to submit comments utilizing the CATS website or
Customer Service Department.
Notices of the public meetings were made available on the CATS website, CATS Gold Rush
vehicles, email alerts to Gold Rush subscribers, sent to local media outlets, and printed in
the Charlotte Observer Newspaper. The meeting notification was printed in English and
Spanish. CATS website where the electronic notices were posted translates into more than
50 languages. Fourteen people attended the public meeting. Comments concerning the
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proposal indicated attendees’ desire to retain service to shopping destinations in the Town
of Matthews.
Attachments
Attachment #1- Route 94 Route Census Information
Attachment #2 Route 94 Census Tracts
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