Charlotte Voters Want Transit Upgrades Without The Sales Tax Needed To Make It Possible

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council is closing in on a vote, Tuesday night, that could leave all paying a higher sales tax in exchange for transit upgrades.

Council’s vote will focus on a sales tax referendum. If approved Council will ask the North Carolina General Assembly for authorization to add a ballot measure, by November 2025, that lets voters approve or deny a one cent sales tax.

City leaders say this sales tax would pay for upgrades to roads, rails and buses.

Ben Anderson has lived in Charlotte since 2019. In that time he says he’s experienced the City’s traffic challenges.

“I’ve seen the evils of 77 in both directions,” Anderson said.

Anderson would love to have upgrades to transit infrastructure, but he thinks a tax isn’t the answer.

“I would probably vote against it just because I would be, you know, spending more money,” Anderson said.

Others, like long time resident Carlos Medina, feel the benefits outweigh the cost of one cent.

“It’s going to help transportation,” Medina said. “I think that’s Charlotte’s main problem right now.”

City leaders say the tax would also help complete the Red Line project that aims to connect Uptown to Lake Norman by rail. In Tuesday’s meeting, Council will also vote to approve the purchase of 22 miles of track and 1.6 acres of land from Norfolk Southern for $92 million. Those railroads and extra land will lay the foundation for the Red Line.

City Council will have until September 9th to complete this deal with Norfolk Southern.

The Red Line has been in the works for 20 years. Residents say they’re ready to see it completed.