Broken Promises, Bus Lanes & Budget Cuts: Why East Charlotte Should Think Twice About the Transportation Tax
In Mecklenburg County, voters are once again being asked to "trust the process." But if you live in East Charlotte, history tells a different story, one filled with delays, cuts, and costly promises that rarely deliver for our communities. Before you vote on the proposed transportation sales tax, let’s revisit what’s already happened when the City of Charlotte made big infrastructure promises.
2014: The Bond That Never Delivered
It started over a decade ago, when voters approved a $20 million bond under the Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program (CNIP). Residents near Central Avenue, Kilborne Drive, and Norland Road were promised pedestrian improvements, bike lanes, and revitalized green spaces like Potter Place. After robust community engagement in 2017, construction was supposed to follow.
But in 2025?
- Protected bike lanes were scrapped.
- Potter Place still isn’t built.
- The City now claims it’s “over budget.”
We were sold a vision. What we got was a trimmed-down path and a draft plan collecting dust.
Central Avenue Bus Lane Pilot: A Balanced Approach Scrapped by The City
From 2020 to 2021, CATS ran a pilot program turning one lane of Central Avenue into a dedicated bus/bike lane. The result?
- A 30-second increase in car travel time during rush hour.
- A 2-minute gain for bus riders.
- And so much pushback from drivers that the pilot ended after just six months.
This was supposed to be a data-driven experiment to “balance needs.” Instead, it polarized the community and left us with more questions than answers.
The Silver Line Sellout
In 2016, city leaders promised East Charlotte would be a cornerstone of the Silver Line light rail extension. Planning documents, studies, and millions in contracts backed this claim. But in 2025, the plan was cut, again.
Now the Silver Line skips key parts of East Charlotte. The same leaders pushing the transit tax today voted to gut our portion of the rail line.
And as if salt needed rubbing in the wound: former councilwoman Marjorie Molina, who lost during the primary election in her district, is now angling for a seat on the Transit Authority Board of Trustees, the very body that will control the purse strings of this sales tax if it passes.
So What’s Different This Time?
The 2025 transit referendum promises everything from faster buses to less congestion to rail expansions. But let’s be honest:
- The Gold Line is unfinished.
- The Silver Line got chopped.
- Bike and pedestrian upgrades are scaled back.
This isn't about being anti-transit. It's about being pro-accountability.
Until East Charlotte sees follow-through on past promises, why should we sign off on a 14% sales tax rate hike, especially one that hits working families hardest?