Mobility matters and MTC plan will help Mecklenburg

TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST

The Metropolitan Transit Commission's approval of a regional plan will benefit Mecklenburg County commuters who depend on public transit like buses and light rail as well as roads.

This week the Metropolitan Transit Commission adopted a transit plan that will help move people around and increase access to economic opportunity as part of a larger effort to improve how we move across Mecklenburg County.

The MTC is made up of local elected leaders who represent residents in every part of the county. They’ve heard the message: mobility matters. The approval of this plan is a meaningful step forward, one that allows us to address immediate needs while preparing our region for the future.

The benefits of the plan are clear. More than 447,000 jobs will be located near transit access, and 450,000 people will be within a 10-minute walk of high-frequency service, whether by bus, rail, or one of the 19 new micro-transit zones. These zones will provide on-demand, curb-to-curb rides across 100 square miles, connecting people to the places they rely on—grocery stores, health clinics, schools, and jobs.

Major investments in rail will expand the system north, west, and east, creating new connections between the airport, Uptown, Davidson College, UNC Charlotte, Johnson C. Smith University, Eastland, and more. These are not just new lines, they are vital links between neighborhoods, campuses, and job centers that will shape our growth for decades to come.

The plan also includes focused improvements to the bus system. While not the headline, the bus remains the backbone of transit for many in our community. This plan increases frequency and reliability where it's needed most. These early upgrades will bring noticeable improvements for riders and help build momentum toward a more consistent, reliable system across Mecklenburg County.

But the real power of this plan is in what it sets up for the future. It creates a stable and flexible funding structure that gives our region the ability to invest in tomorrow’s mobility needs, whether that means cleaner buses, smarter traffic coordination, regional transit integration, or solutions we haven’t yet imagined. It keeps us competitive, responsive, and ready.

This is a county-wide strategy. From Wilkinson Boulevard to Central Avenue, from Beatties Ford Road to Pineville, the plan touches all parts of Mecklenburg. Not every corridor is listed by name, but the reach is deep and the approach is inclusive. This is about serving the entire county, not just one part of it.

And this isn’t just about infrastructure. This is about people. Building out this system will create jobs across construction, design, engineering, and planning. Local small businesses, including minority- and women-owned firms, must be part of this opportunity. The business community has a role to play in helping them prepare and succeed.

It also includes needed investment in our roads, improving safety, adding sidewalks and lighting, and making it easier to get around however you travel. Whether you walk, bike, drive, or ride transit, you’ll benefit from this plan.
 
As we move forward, community engagement and public education must stay front and center. People need to understand what this means for their neighborhood, and they deserve a seat at the table as implementation begins. Trust is built through communication and collaboration.

This plan puts us in position to expand access, connect people to opportunity, and strengthen how we grow as a region. It’s about time, reliability, and readiness. It’s about building the foundation for something better, now and in the future.
 
There’s plenty of room to get on board. Let’s not miss this opportunity to move Mecklenburg County forward.

David L. Howard is the former associate administrator for policy and government relations at the Federal Highway Administration, former chief deputy secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, former Charlotte City Council member, and a past regional representative to the Charlotte Metropolitan Planning Organization. He also chaired the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority and currently leads DL Howard Consulting Group.
 

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