Metropolitan Transit Commission Approves Major Charlotte Transit Expansion

The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) has approved an ambitious updated Transit System Plan (TSP) for Mecklenburg County, promising a 50% increase in bus service and a 43-mile expansion of Charlotte's rail network through programs like Better Bus and microtransit. Key rail expansions include extending the Blue Line to Carolina Place Mall, extending the Gold Line east to Eastland Community Center, and the Red Line running north to Lake Norman-area towns, with financial support from a proposed county-wide 1-cent sales tax increase subject to voter approval. While Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles praised the plan as a transformative step toward a more connected and sustainable region, the town of Matthews expressed strong dissatisfaction, with Mayor John Higdon criticizing the plan for excluding Matthews from direct light rail access and calling it inequitable and a "bait and switch." Matthews officials highlighted that the plan forces their residents to travel several miles to reach stations and voiced frustration over a perceived lack of compromise during planning. The approved plan reflects extensive community engagement, with 93% of participants indicating a need for expanded transit, but its implementation depends heavily on securing funding and addressing concerns from local communities. Overall, the plan marks a significant milestone toward improving public transit in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, although some local tensions remain unresolved.