Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC)

3 photos showing CATS riders and community members interacting

The Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) was established by the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) effective January 1, 2025, through an interlocal agreement between the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the six towns. PTAC replaces the Citizens Transit Advisory Group (CTAG) and the Transit Services Advisory Committee (TSAC). 

PTAC is responsible for:

  1. Reviewing the CATS CEO’s proposed operating programs and five-year capital programs.
  2. Reviewing transit policies.
  3. Serving as an initial forum for suggestions and complaints concerning fares, routes, and schedules.
  4. Making recommendations to the MTC regarding these matters. PTAC shall also be responsible for providing such other advisory functions as directed by the MTC.

Committee Members

15 members* (one Co-Chair appointed by the Mayor and one Co-Chair appointed by the Chairperson of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, two members appointed by City Council, two members appointed by the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, one member appointed by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, one member appointed by the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill and Pineville, and two at-large members* appointed by the MTC, one of which shall be a person with a disability and one shall be a fixed route service rider)

Board members should be, to the extent possible, representative of:  

  • Different geographic areas of Mecklenburg County.
  • Different incomes, races and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, identities, and ages.
  • Different transit rider groups (persons with disabilities, senior and school age citizens, commuters, low-income riders).
  • Travelers of different modes of public transportation (e.g., local bus, express bus, light rail, micro-transit, streetcar, and paratransit).
  • Mecklenburg County residents with an interest in improving transit conditions within the county and region, and have experience with urban transit issues.
  • Transit-related organizations/clubs.
  • Schools, business, and neighborhood organizations that particularly depend on the City's public transportation system.

* At their November 20, 2024, meeting, the MTC voted to add the two at-large appointments.

 

Terms

Terms shall be for three years, after the initial term, and any term limits shall be in the discretion of the member’s appointing authority.

To ensure stability and continuity, the members of the PTAC shall serve three-year staggered terms that begin on January 1 and end on December 31. The initial terms of the appointees of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, the Charlotte City Council, The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, and the Mayor of the City of Charlotte shall end on December 31, 2026. The initial terms of the appointees of the Towns and the Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners shall end on December 31, 2027.

Membership Requirements

  • A publicly elected office holder shall not serve on PTAC. 
  • An additional member may be appointed by a regional member pursuant to Section IV,A. of the Interlocal Agreement (if any). 
  • Appointees should be residents of Mecklenburg County.
  • Consideration will be given to riders of public transit.
  • All appointees are subject to the MTC’s Rules of Procedure.

 

Meeting Information

Meeting Day: 2nd Wednesday
Meeting Time: 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, 600 East 4th Street
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours per month

Staff Advisor

Emily Kunze
Email: emily.kunze@charlottenc.gov
Phone: 980.264.9301.

Resources

Meeting Materials
Archives 2020 - 2023

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