MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — CATS is set to launch a new on-demand transit service called Micro CATS in north Mecklenburg County on Feb. 24, replacing the existing Village Rider bus service due to low ridership.
Micro CATS aims to address the ‘first and last mile’ challenges faced by residents in the car-centric towns of Davidson, Huntersville, and Cornelius.
The service will use Toyota Sienna minivans to provide point-to-point rides along the I-77 corridor for a fare of $2.20 per trip.
“He doesn’t drive; he’s special needs, and as a result, he’s completely dependent on his mother or me,” said Jack Davis, whose son could benefit from the new service.
“We like to say it’s a hybrid between transit, Uber, and Lyft, but it’s still a shared ride experience,” explained Bruce Jones, a CATS official.
“A transit option is needed here, some transit option,” said Trey Fouche, expressing hope for the service’s success.
Riders will book trips via an app, with no cash payments accepted. The service will operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
CATS officials have identified over twenty zones for potential expansion if the service proves successful.
If successful, Micro CATS could provide a much-needed transit solution for North Mecklenburg residents and potentially expand to other areas, offering a new competitor in the ride-share market.
VIDEO: CATS presents 4 scenarios for 30-year transit plan for Charlotte
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
