CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Area Transit System is hoping new bus lanes in one of Charlotte's busiest areas will help ease congestion and improve the commute for bus passengers. On Tuesday CATS opened a Bus Only lane along Central Avenue. It's the second such lane in Charlotte.
The new Bus Only lane starts at the Eastland Transit Station and runs to Eastway. CATS hopes to expand the lane all the way to Uptown in the future.
The lane that opened Tuesday runs eastbound. The westbound Bus Only lane is scheduled to open October 8.
“That’s a great idea. I like it,” said Angie who is a frequent commuter along Central Avenue. “Sometimes it seems like it takes me twice as long to just go a half a mile even with less cars on the road.”
Both CATS and school busses are allowed to use the new lane in addition to any emergency vehicles. Bikes lanes have also been added next to the bus lanes. CATS hopes the new traffic pattern helps traffic move faster during heavy commute times.
CATS officials said rolling out the new bus lanes during the pandemic is the perfect time to try out the new traffic pattern. According to officials vehicle traffic is down between 20 and 50 percent right now.
The new bus lanes are part of a pilot program with the city hopes to expand in the future if they are successful. The city already has Bus Only lanes in Uptown on a stretch of 4th street.