Why Sustain Charlotte leader supports $25 billion transit, transportation plan (Charlotte Business Journal)

By the middle of this month, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the smaller towns within the county will all vote on whether to endorse a 1-cent sales tax increase as part of a $25 billion transit and transportation plan.

The plan is the result of compromises between local and state government, encompassing a 30-year horizon of rail, bus and roads projects. Details on which projects will be prioritized and estimated costs will be disclosed next year, prior to a planned referendum on the tax hike — a referendum that first must gain approval from the state legislature.

Among the groups most eager to see higher public investment in transit and transportation is Sustain Charlotte, a nonprofit dedicated to environmentally friendly growth policies and improved transit and mobility options.

Shannon Binns is the founder and executive director of Sustain Charlotte. He recently answered several questions from CBJ on the plan now under consideration.

Read the Charlotte Business Journal article (subscription required).