Public transit ridership in the United States hit an all-time high last year, with transit systems handling 10.7 billion trips. That's a 4 percent increase over 2007, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Light rail led the drive with an overall increase of 8 percent.
Ridership was up nationwide, but one city stood out: Charlotte, North Carolina. The city's Lynx light rail, which is managed by the Charlotte Area Transit System, saw an 800-odd percent increase in ridership last year. Of course, it opened in November of 2007, so there was nowhere to go but up.
Yet the jump in ridership is significant. Between 2006 and 2008, Charlotte public transit saw the biggest ridership increase in the country, climbing 46 percent. That far exceeded other cities with new light rail systems. With only one Lynx line open and four more plus an extension planned, Charlotte could show the country how to make the jump from cars to trains.
Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and a hub in the American financial industry. Much of its population growth came relatively recently, and well into the automobile age. Consequently, Charlotte is a sprawled-out, low-slung commuter city stitched together by interstates, ringed by highways and crisscrossed by major roads. Major destinations like downtown, the UNC-Charlotte campus and the airport are far enough apart and traffic is congested enough to make commuting a hassle. Charlotte is a city built for cars.
Lynx could change that.
The nine-mile Blue Line is the only one running thus far. Future plans, which include several new lines and possibly a Blue Line extension to UNC-Charlotte, could transform the area it serves. Light and commuter rail to prominent suburbs have the potential to radically change the city. Since development tends to cluster around light rail stops, given the trend to new trend to building up instead of out, Charlotte could -- in the distant future -- become a centralized, vertical city.
Charlotte was hit particularly hard by the recession. Wachovia, once a massive bank headquartered in Charlotte, was swallowed up by Wells Fargo. Bank of America has shrunk drastically. The local 1/2-cent sales tax, passed specifically to fund transit projects, has not yielded the expected results. Many transit plans have been put on hold due to cost.
Still, early results of Charlotte's experiment are being watched closely by transport professionals. Cities in similar circumstances -- Phoenix, Orlando, Florida and St. Louis spring to mind -- with similar transportation plans are, or soon will be, in the same boat. If Charlotte can follow through with its ambitious transit plans, it could help Queen City continue the growth to which it is accustomed. Given the extent of the economic slowdown and Charlotte's regional economic dominance, not to mention its prominent contributions to state tax coffers, the city likely will be the focus of strong recovery efforts, of which transportation is traditionally a major component. Yet the city lacks some of the things that draw people and industry, in which transportation is a similarly large consideration. Though funding is still uncertain, city planners are realistic about the role of new transport systems in the city's future plans, which involve building up and diversifying the downtown area.
Charlotte boasts a busy airport, an educated and accessible workforce, major sports teams, plentiful outdoor recreation and cultural attractions. Additions to its transit system may be the tipping point that brings investment back to Charlotte, as in other cities.
Photo of the Lynx Blue Line at Stonewall Station: James Willamor.
