Latest Developments
The planned 9.8-mile south LYNX blue line will run from Uptown south along South Boulevard and will terminate just short of Pineville. Trains will run at 7.5 minute intervals during rush hours and at 30-minute intervals during non-peak times between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. daily.
Background
In 1998 a ballot measure to levy a half-cent sales tax to develop five rapid-transit corridors was approved by nearly 58 percent of Charlotte voters. Of that revenue, about 65 percent funds the bus system operated by CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System). The rest has been used for development of the costly LYNX light-rail service. The percentage for buses will fall as more rail lines, which are far more costlier to build and operate, are constructed and become operational. The initial project budget in 2000 was $227 million. Estimates have ballooned to $450 million, and the work remains unfinished.
In an effort by those opposed to the light rail construction and implementation in Charlotte, a measure to repeal the half-cent sales tax will be on the November 2007 ballot. If the tax -- which has generated close to $70 million annually -- is defeated, it would cut the bus operating budget by 70 percent while eliminating the funding source for expansion of the fledging light-rail system.
Voting YES to repeal the half-cent transit tax means...
- Further development of the light-rail system would effectively grind to a halt until further funding were to become available
- Funding to the city's bus system would go away
- If that revenue is lost, a sizeable increase in property taxes is about the only alternative available to make up for the lost revenue.
Voting NO to repeal the half-cent transit tax means...
- The current half-cent sales tax would still be allocated for public transportation and further light-rail development would continue
- Funds would continue to be allocated to the bus system
Where it Stands
In the September 15 issue of the Charlotte Observer some opponents of the transit tax are proposing that if voters repeal the tax in November, they could vote again in 2008 on a new tax after public officials pledge to de-emphasize rail construction.
"I hear this repeatedly, that let's put it back on the ballot," said Charlotte City Council member Pat Mumford, who is leading a group to keep the tax. "How practical is that? I would say it's not practical at all. The bottom line is there is no plan."
Also, do not make the mistake and think that the mayoral election is tied to the transit tax vote. Both candidates, Republican and incumbant mayor Pat McCrory and Democratic candidate Beverly Earle both support the transit tax, although Earle questions the management of the funds on the project.