CATS on-demand pilot program coming to N. Meck
CATS Alternative Commuting: The future of local transit?
Dec. 7. By Dave Yochum. The Charlotte Area Transit System plans to test an on-demand service that would allow local travelers to call for a ride in Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville.
The goal would be to replace the lightly used Village Rider service in North Mecklenburg.
The pilot program will be offered through a mix of ride-share services and third-party contractors, with all rides requested through the CATS-Pass app. The mix of the fleet will depend on upcoming public engagement and analysis to finalize the ridership need.
Cost TBD
Costs are not yet clear because it’s still in the early planning phases. Public outreach begins in early 2023 “to help inform the scale and reach of the proposed on-demand services,” a CATS spokesperson said. 
CATS plans to conduct a service and fare equity analysis before any changes to service or fare policy and structure are finalized.
The CATS Envision My Ride plan recommended a conversion of the Village Rider routes to an on-demand service coordinated through the CATS-Pass app. Additional route conversations were recommended throughout CATS system, but CATS will start with the Village Riders.
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This was a concept that was mentioned a couple of years ago to CATS director John Lewis. He was in favor of doing a test project. I’m glad it is going to happen here in North Meck. Perhaps that’s related to the fact that this area won’t have light/commuter rail any time soon. It gets real interesting when the rides become autonomous.