The Charlotte Area Transit System, commonly referred to as CATS, is the public transit system in Charlotte, North Carolina. It includes a bus system, light rail system, and a street car. You can use the Google Maps trip planner to determine which routes will get you to your destination. Fares vary, and can be checked here.
Public Transit
How much is the bus?
| Adult | Senior | ADA | K-12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Way | $2.20 | $1.10 | $1.10 | $1.10 |
| Weekly Unlimited | $30.80 | $30.80 | $30.80 | $30.80 |
| Monthly Unlimited | $88.00 | $44.00 | $44.00 | |
| 10-Ride Pass | $22.00 | $9.35 | $9.35 |
How much is the Light Rail?
| Adult | Senior | ADA | K-12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-Way | $2.20 | $1.10 | $1.10 | $1.10 |
| Round Trip | $4.40 | $2.20 | $2.20 | $2.20 |
| One-Day Unlimited | $6.60 | $6.60 | $6.60 | $6.60 |
| Weekly Unlimited | $30.80 | $30.80 | $30.80 | $30.80 |
| Monthly Unlimited | $88.00 | $44.00 | $44.00 |
How much is the Street Car?
It’s free!
Check out these videos from the Charlotte Transit Authority to help get you started:
Recycling & Trash
Recycling and trash pickup is an available service to all residents of Charlotte, and most residents of Mecklenburg County. The City of Charlotte manages the collection of trash and recycling and Mecklenburg County processes the waste. To find your pick up date, you can put in your address here.
Trash Basics
Recycling Basics
Bulky Pickup Basics
Find out your trash & recycling pick up day
Libraries
Charlotte’s public library system is called the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It is one of America’s leading urban public libraries, serving a community of more than one million citizens in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It includes 20 locations, outreach, and a wide variety of online content. All of these services are available to you for free, if you live inside Mecklenburg County.
What can I do at the library?
How can I access the library?
Anyone who visits a library location can use our wifi, attend programs, or look at any of our books or magazines–for free. If you want to take materials home with you or access our online resources, you will need to get a library card, which is completely free of charge for Mecklenburg County residents. We have both regular library cards, which you can apply for by visiting a branch, and virtual library cards, which you can apply for completely online.
What You Need to Get a Library Card:
Get a Library Card
Visit the library’s website to apply for a virtual library card, or find a branch close to you and apply for a library card in person.
Parks
The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is home to 210 parks and facilities located on more than 21,000+ acres of parkland throughout Mecklenburg County. Parks in Mecklenburg County come in all shapes and sizes ranging from small neighborhood parks to large district parks. Many parks have open space amidst shade trees and unique facilities.
Greenways
The Mecklenburg County greenway system is quickly becoming one of the finest in the nation. Greenways are linear parks that connect people and places. Greenways are vegetated natural buffers that promote water quality, help reduce the impacts of flooding, and provide wildlife habitat. Greenway trails provide recreation, transportation, fitness, and economic benefits for all to enjoy. There are currently 49 miles of developed greenway trails in Mecklenburg County, with more being built every year.
See a full list of locations and more information here.
Parks & Facilities
Many parks have open space amidst shade trees and unique facilities. You may reserve a facility by calling 980-314-1000 or by using the online reservation system. You can see a full list of park locations here.
Events & Services
The Park and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs and services for families and those of all ages. Join us for fitness, sports, cultural arts, youth development and most of all……FUN. Come play with us today!
Schools
Mecklenburg County has over 200 public, magnet, charter, and private schools which serve over 200,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) operates the public schools, as well as several nontraditional schooling options. Within the city of Charlotte and the surrounding towns, there are many options for all ages. In addition, Charlotte is home to many universities and colleges.
CMS School Lottery
Each year new and current CMS families have an opportunity to apply for Magnet/Career & Technical Education (CTE) or other school option programs through the online school options lottery. The online lottery application provides families with a list of their school options based on the student’s residential address.
E-Learning Academy
CMS offers an online homeschool program for grades 9-12. The CMS home school allows eligible students to learn from home while still participating in sports and clubs at their CMS home school.
Private Schools
The Charlotte Chamber has created a document that compiles all private schools in Charlotte, NC.
Homeschooling
The Charlotte Home Educators Association (CHEA) is an association of Charlotte area support groups whose purpose is to promote better communication, support, fellowship, and unity among Charlotte homeschoolers.
Childcare Resources, Inc.
Child Care Resources Inc (“CCRI”) is the go-to source for early care and education in Mecklenburg County. They help to ensure that all young children – particularly those at educational risk – have the kinds of early learning experience that promote school and lifelong success.
Smart Start
Smart Start is a nationally recognized early childhood education initiative in partnership with Mecklenburg County to expand and improve services for children ages birth to five and their families. The website has a list of high quality early childcare and pre-k programs available to low income families.
About CMS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is located in the Charlotte, North Carolina region and provides academic instruction, rigor and support each school day to more than 146,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade in 170 schools throughout the cities and towns of Mecklenburg County.
Pre-K
Charlotte has various affordable pre-k programs available to low-income working families. If a family meets the eligibility criteria, the state of North Carolina provides access to pre-k programs that focus on academic, person, and interpersonal experiences that are essential to a child’s education.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
UNCC is North Carolina's urban research university, located in Northeast Charlotte.
The University of North Carolina is a public, multi-campus university dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. The Charlotte campus is accessible by light rail.
Queens University
Queens University is a small, private, co-ed, masters-level university.
Located in the historic Myers Park neighborhood, Queens University has a beautiful campus just minutes from uptown Charlotte.
Central Piedmont Community College
This large community college system has more than 6 campuses throughout Mecklenburg County.
CPCC has been a part of the Charlotte landscape for over 50 years. Offering a wide range of classes, programs, and locations, CPCC has something for everyone.
Johnson C. Smith University
JCSU is a private liberal arts university with proud traditions and a future aimed at diversity.
Approximately 1,600 highly talented and motivated students from various backgrounds attend each year. The faculty and staff members are equally as unique, coming from all over the world.