Charlotte backs transit plan, but Matthews calls it 'inequitable'
Other Mecklenburg towns support the plan, which would raise sales taxes by 1 percentage point if the legislature and voters approve
The following article appeared in the August 12, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
Will Matthews derail the latest plan for transit? Town’s leaders blast ‘inequities’ of new strategy
The eastern segment of the Silver Line light rail was envisioned as running along this portion of Monroe Road, but the latest plan appears to call for bus rapid transit instead.
Local government leaders on Friday announced they have reached consensus on a path forward for a transit plan. But there’s one notable opponent: the town of Matthews.
The city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill and Pineville say they support a proposal to be presented to the General Assembly that would form a 27-member transit authority, which would be in charge of distributing money from a 1 percentage point increase in the sales tax charged in Mecklenburg, provided that Mecklenburg voters approve the measure. That would generate hundreds of millions of dollars that would be used on road projects, buses, light rail and more.
Business leaders from the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance also sent a press release touting their support.
But public officials in Matthews strongly oppose the deal, because it would eliminate plans for light rail to Matthews and replace it with bus rapid transit. Longstanding plans had called for light rail down portions of Independence Boulevard and Monroe Road, but that would be expensive.
The opposition is a reversal of sorts: For years, the transit plan didn’t move forward because of the opposition of the northern towns. But now that the Red Line commuter rail to those towns appears to be a possibility, they support the plan, while Matthews has flipped to opposing it.
It is unclear if Matthews’ opposition would be enough to derail chances of getting the measure passed in the General Assembly, which traditionally prefers consensus on local bills.
Matthews’ population is about 31,000, in a county with a population of nearly 1.2 million.
Over the weekend, Matthews leaders signaled their objections:
Mayor John Higdon (according to WSOC’s Joe Bruno): “I am strongly opposed to the current draft legislation, as it knowingly underfunds the approved transit plan for the region. If ultimately approved, it will create drastic inequities by only funding the Silver Line East as Bus Rapid Transit while all other lines are built as rail. … This is not the ‘community consensus plan’ requested by North Carolina General Assembly leadership, and I believe there are better and much more equitable regional transit solutions that would best serve our entire community."
Commissioner Ken McCool: “East Charlotte and Matthews are being asked to settle for an untested Bus Rapid Transit system instead of the rail service promised to other areas, and Mint Hill is completely left out. This unequal distribution isn’t fair and undermines the idea of a unified regional solution.”
Towns are expected to start voting on their support. Matthews plans to pass a resolution in opposition tonight.
Alternate ideas: Meeting documents say Matthews might push for a 1.4-cent tax that funds rail to Matthews, or for a “Bus Rapid Transit for All” plan than pushes for buses on what are now expected to be rail lines. It says those ideas would be more “equitable.” —Tony Mecia
Related transit articles:
“Revised transit plan would scrap 1/2 of Silver Line, Matthews mayor says” (May 30)
“Matthews and eastside leaders slam light rail cuts” (May 31)
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman