Since the aim of CONNECT Beyond was to develop a long-term vision and action-oriented plan for how to enhance mobility and improve transportation choices in our 12-county region, it was important that we heard from and worked with those who live, work, go to school, and play in communities throughout our region.
We invited stakeholders from across the region to join three Advisory Committees focused on helping develop key elements of this regional mobility plan. Advisory Committee members provided insight about policy decisions, community impacts, and technical feasibility.
“The growth between Concord, Kannapolis, and Charlotte has been tremendous. Enhancing connections between the Rider Transit System, CATS, and the rest of the region is just something we have to do for our future economic success.”
– Mayor Bill Dusch, City of Concord
“Our city recognizes that regional collaboration is key to our success and that transportation has no borders. The citizens who live in Gastonia seek access to resources from different parts of our region. Therefore, we have to think beyond our jurisdictional lines from urban to rural and everything in between to make our region the best that it can be.”
– Mayor Walker Reid, III, City of Gastonia
To develop this regional mobility plan, CONNECT Beyond worked with four different working groups composed of members with specific technical expertise who provided insights and guidance about central components related to this regional mobility plan. The four CONNECT Beyond working groups included:
We’ve been working with the community for several years to reach this point. The CONNECT Beyond initiative builds on the priorities our communities established in previous engagement efforts
35% of respondents use public transit every week.
84% of respondents agree that expanding transit service is the most important thing we can do to encourage people to use transit over driving a personal vehicle.
63.4% of respondents said COVID-19 had a major or moderate effect on their travel.
Create a safe and connected multi-modal network, including bikes, pedestrians, transit and cars
Provide options that support public health (e.g. walking, biking, trails)
Provide connectivity and access to retain and attract employers
Have a positive impact on the environment (e.g. energy efficiency, lowered emissions)
96% of respondents are likely to take high capacity transit through these corridors over driving or other forms of transportation if they are frequent, convenient, and affordable.
90% of respondents support expanding high capacity transit in the region.
80% of respondents are likely to take high capacity transit through these corridors over driving or other forms of transportation if they are frequent, convenient, and affordable.
59% of respondents support expanding high capacity transit in the region.
88% of respondents are likely to take high capacity transit through these corridors over driving or other forms of transportation if they are frequent, convenient, and affordable.
65% of respondents support expanding high capacity transit in the region.
89% of respondents are likely to take high capacity transit through these corridors over driving or other forms of transportation if they are frequent, convenient, and affordable.
75% of respondents support expanding high capacity transit in the region.
67% of respondents are likely to take high capacity transit through these corridors over driving or other forms of transportation if they are frequent, convenient, and affordable.
52% of respondents support expanding high capacity transit in the region.
To better understand what mobility means to residents and visitors in the region, we conducted in-depth Listening Session interviews with 50+ community members from around the region. These Listening Sessions helped us understand how people who live and work in our region want to travel around our area in the future. The insights that community members provided during these Listening Sessions helped CONNECT Beyond refine our recommendations.
The Listening Sessions were hosted in two different formats:
James is unable to work and uses public transit to get to doctor’s appointments and recreational spaces.
“I don't drive. The farther away from downtown Charlotte it gets harder to get from place to place. Because there's not as many routes they get thinner and thinner than expected.”
Melanie works from home and normally commutes to professional and personal appointments using public transit.
“I use a wheelchair so my mobility options would be the sidewalk. We have a big influx of cars in our neighborhood, and people cross the sidewalk, and it's not safe. It would be better for me to have the bus stop closer to my home.”
Sonia commutes to work daily from where she lives in rural Gaston County.
“I have worked in areas where people did not have transportation and then they couldn't take the bus because the bus would only go to certain areas. My region is really lacking in resources.”
Zobeida is retired and uses public transportation to volunteer at multiple facilities.
“Going to meetings at International House I will have to leave 1.5 hours early to be there on time when in car will take me 20 minutes. Sometimes at CPCC I would have to wait one hour for the next bus.”
Stephane is a student at CPCC Huntersville Campus. He depends on public transit and his parent to move around the region.
"I have to wake up really early to make it to the bus stop and wait for the bus to come. If wanted to go to Monroe or Gastonia I will need to ask my parents to take me. There are fewer options of buses near my home, you either take a car or walk."
Marc is disabled and does not have permanent housing. He commutes to make ends meet.
"People who are working past 11:00 – servers, Walmart employees – buses don’t run late. Some must walk four or five miles and that limits their options for jobs, because they don’t have bus routes.”
To learn more, refer to Section 3 in the CONNECT Beyond Regional Mobility Plan.
Read the Final Plan
Drive Alone
Public Transit
Bicycle
Walk
Carpool
Vanpool
