Sustain Charlotte Supports Senate Bill 584 to Create New Regional Transit Authority
Photo: Charlotte Area Transit Authority
Sustain Charlotte strongly supports Senate Bill 584, introduced on March 25 by Senators Vickie Sawyer, Bill Rabon, and David Craven. This legislation lays the groundwork for creating a Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority (MPTA), offering a new governance structure to enhance regional coordination and flexibility in delivering transit solutions.
This bill is a companion to Senate Bill 145, introduced in February, which would authorize Mecklenburg County to place a one-cent sales tax for transportation investments on the ballot. Together, these bills provide a pathway to modernizing and expanding our transit system to meet the needs of our growing population.
Local leaders in Mecklenburg County have long recognized the need for a regional approach to public transportation. Our current system, operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), faces governance and funding challenges that limit its ability to deliver the high-quality, efficient, and reliable transit service that residents and businesses need. A new, regionally governed authority would ensure better coordination across municipal boundaries, stronger financial stewardship, and a more responsive and accountable transit system for our entire region.
This investment is also critical to making our streets safer for everyone—whether they are walking, biking, riding transit, or driving. Charlotte is facing a public safety crisis on our streets, with 9,424 crashes, 16 fatal crashes, and 29 serious injuries already this year, according to Charlotte DOT. Funds generated by the proposed sales tax would be used to redesign our most dangerous streets to prioritize safety, making them safer for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers alike.
We applaud the bipartisan group of senators who have championed this effort, including Senators Dave Craven, Bill Rabon, Vickie Sawyer, Sydney Batch, Dan Blue, Julie Mayfield, Mujtaba Mohammed, DeAndrea Salvador, Caleb Theodros, and Joyce Waddell. Their leadership reflects a commitment to ensuring that our region has the tools needed to create a more connected, sustainable, and accessible future.
Sustain Charlotte looks forward to working alongside our elected officials, business leaders, and community members to advance these critical investments in public transportation that will reduce congestion, improve access to jobs, and reduce climate pollution while enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
About Sustain Charlotte
Sustain Charlotte is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering smart growth and sustainable solutions for the greater Charlotte region. We advocate for transportation choices that reduce congestion, improve air quality, and enhance quality of life for all residents.