CATS adopts FY2027 budget, invests in safety, fleet, facilities, service improvements

The Charlotte City Council has adopted a budget that advances safety and security of customers and employees, in addition to maintaining Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) facilities, buses and light rail vehicles. The newly formed Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA) also adopted this budget.

The Charlotte Area Transit System secured approval for a fiscal year 2027 budget totaling $539 million. The FY27 budget includes no fare increases and no new fees for customers. Capital investments will consume $225 million. Operations will take $314 million. An additional $10 million is provided for continued Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department off-duty officer support, expanded fare enforcement and other security improvement measures.

This budget marks a milestone — CATS tapped funds from the PAVE Act for the first time. Voters passed that measure in November, triggering a 1-cent sales tax bump dedicated to transit. An extra $10 million was carved out for off-duty CMPD officer support, beefed-up fare enforcement, and other security work.

The fiscal year 2027 budget includes notable investments in customer safety, fleet and facility maintenance, service improvements and advancement of major strategic projects. "Our community has made it clear that transit is essential to the region's future,” said Brent Cagle, interim CEO of CATS. “This budget advances that vision through investments in safety, service improvements and the infrastructure needed to support the growing Charlotte region.”

Highlights of the operating budget include:

• Continued safety and security improvements across the transit system
• Expansion of Microtransit service into new service zones
• More than 30,500 additional bus service hours, including 15-minute weekday service on routes 5, 7, 16 and 21 through the Better Bus initiative
• Expanded resources for Special Transportation Service to meet growing demand
• Increased investment in fleet, rail and facility maintenance to keep assets in a state of good repair

The FY27 capital investments support major infrastructure and modernization projects, including:

• Continued development of the South End Station and Hambright Park & Ride projects
• Safety, security and technology enhancements across the transit system
• Purchase of new buses and improvements to approximately 100 bus stops through the Better Bus initiative
• Advancement of the Red Line Commuter Rail and Silver Line Light Rail projects through 30% design and environmental review

CATS plans to purchase new buses. About 100 bus stops will get improvements through the Better Bus initiative. The Red Line Commuter Rail and Silver Line Light Rail projects will advance through 30% design and environmental review. The spending plan zeroes in on rider safety, facility maintenance, and infrastructure projects. Council members and MPTA trustees approved the funding to support transit needs across the region as it continues to grow.

Source: CATS