Airport Bus Connector Provides Limited Connector Service to Charlotte Airport

CATS and the Airport have announced a New Albeit Constrained Bus Connector to the Airport. TAKE THE NEW AIRPORT CONNECTOR ON YOUR NEXT TRIP Charlotte, NC - The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) announced a new express bus service for travelers and employees that begins June 16. Two separate routes will provide riders direct service from select CATS park and rides. “This partnership provides another way to get to the airport without having to drive,” said Carolyn Flowers, CATS CEO. “The success of the Sprinter route to the airport from Center City indicates people are looking for travel options.” Route 590 Airport Connector-Northlake will operate from the Northlake park and ride and travel I-485 to the airport. Route 591 Airport Connector – Archdale will pick up riders along the LYNX Blue Line at the Archdale, Tyvola and Woodlawn transit stations. For security reasons, no 24-hour parking will be permitted at the park and ride lots as this service is designed to primarily accommodate employees and travelers who are dropped off at the bus stop. “We’re pleased to see this new employee and passenger transit option and encourage the public to try the Airport Connector” said Haley Gentry, Airport Business Affairs Director. “This is a creative alternative, particularly during a busy time of significant expansion and roadway construction at the airport.” Buses will run every 30 minutes between the hours of 5 a.m. and midnight seven days a week. One-way cash fare is $2.75. The fare will increase to $3.00 one-way on July 1. CATS also offers weekly, monthly and 10-ride passes for frequent riders. Schedule and fare information can be found on CATS’ website at www.ridetransit.org or by calling 704-336-7433. The new transportation service is hardly as robust as service from our Nation's Capital via Metro to Reagan National Airport and Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport via Amtrak or Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) or to Newark International Airport via Amtrak or New Jersey Transit and the lack of 24 hour park and ride will constrain some passengers and employees (those who do not have the means to be dropped off at the bus stop) but it is a start. On a positive note, it can be fed into by existing LYNX service.