Spare Partners with Charlotte Area Transit System to Bring Microtransit to the Regions of Davidson, Huntersville, and Cornelius

Riders in Charlotte’s northern towns are on the brink of something transformative: a new microtransit service designed to bring flexibility and convenience to their daily lives. With Spare powering this service for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), riders will soon be able to book trips with ease through the CATSPass app. Whether connecting to light rail stations, getting to work, or running errands, this service offers a new way to move that works around riders’ needs—not the other way around.

“CATS is excited to offer a new and innovative transit option to our passengers. The partnership with SPARE marks a significant step forward in enhancing mobility options for our northern towns. By introducing on-demand microtransit services, we're providing our residents with flexible and convenient transportation solutions that seamlessly integrate with our existing transit network.” says Elizabeth Presutti, Chief Administrative Officer for CATS.

This service is a result of meaningful collaboration. CATS has partnered with  My Little Helper, a Charlotte-based Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) providing 40% of the operational capacity. Including a local partner like My Little Helper reflects a commitment to solutions that work for the community, with the community. The partnership has been celebrated as a major win for the region, showcasing how local businesses can be critical in advancing transit initiatives. Additionally, MV Transportation, with its expertise in demand-response transit, manages operations to ensure smooth service delivery from day one.

For riders, the benefits are clear. Through the CATSPass app, they can plan trips, book rides, and connect to transit hubs seamlessly. The service is designed to fill the gaps in traditional transit networks, providing convenient first- and last-mile connections to destinations like light rail stations, workplaces, and local amenities. It’s a rider-first approach that puts flexibility and convenience at the forefront, removing the need for rigid schedules and creating more freedom to move.

This launch is just the first phase of what promises to be an exciting transformation for transit in the Charlotte area. Beginning with the northern towns, this microtransit service will pave the way for greater flexibility and accessibility across the region. For now, the focus is on delivering a service that works flawlessly for riders, laying the groundwork for a broader mobility vision.

CATS’s decision to work with Spare reflects the agency’s commitment to innovation and equity. With the northern towns' microtransit service, riders will see firsthand how technology, local collaboration, and operational expertise can come together to transform how communities move and connect. For the people of Charlotte, this is an important step toward building a transit system that works for everyone.

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