Updating MTS Rides: Mecklenburg Transportation System to Modify Trips for Post-Pandemic Era

Mecklenburg Transportation System bus parked n a parking lot

Beginning July 1, 2024, the Mecklenburg Transportation System will update the types of trips offered for senior citizens and disabled residents. 

Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) is the County’s non-emergency medical and general public transportation service. It is available to eligible seniors or disabled residents for trips funded through Medicaid; trips to medical appointments, such as dialysis or chemotherapy; adult day care; grocery stories, food banks, and farmers markets; paid employment and post-secondary education trips; and others. 

In early 2020, as many MTS customers experienced greater isolation due to social distancing requirements during the pandemic, Mecklenburg County received pandemic-relief funding from the federal government intended to help increase the mobility and socialization of MTS customers. Throughout the pandemic, those dollars provided transportation for customers at elevated levels for a wider variety of trip purposes. The additional trips were offered at no charge and contributed to customers’ ability to age in place—reducing isolation and creating opportunities to remain physically and emotionally healthy.  

With the pandemic receding, the federal dollars that paid for those extra trips are no longer available. To continue serving customers who need help the most, Mecklenburg Transportation System on July 1 will update the types of trips that are offered.  

Maintenance of Health trips will continue, including: 

  • Medicaid-mandated trips/non-Medicaid medical 
     
  • Dialysis or chemotherapy
     
  • Adult day health care 
     
  • Nutritional sites, grocery, food banks, and farmers markets 

Medicaid transportation-eligible recipients ride free. 

Paid employment and post-secondary education trips will continue. 

Bus passes will continue. 

Elderly General Purpose (EGP): $10 per month. 

General Purpose trips will be updated to pre-pandemic levels of service, including the discontinuation of: 

  • Government/non-profit organizations
     
  • Hair salons and barber shops
     
  • Financial institutions
     
  • Faith-based organizations
     
  • Fitness centers 

A passenger fare of $1.50 per one-way trip is reinstated. (The exact fare is required as drivers cannot provide change.)


Alternative Transportation Resources 

CATS Paratransit, Charlotte Area Transit System 
704-336-5055 
Fee: $35 (10 tickets) 

PACE of the Southern Piedmont, services to keep older adults in the community instead of going to a nursing facility. Transports participants to the PACE center during the day and back home in the evening.  
704-887-3840 
Fee: $0 

Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte, for people who are age 54+ 
704-365-1995 
Fee: Donation 

First in Families, by InReach, Intellectual/developmental disabilities 
704-536-6661 
Fee: Based on the household size and 300% of the federal poverty guidelines  

Metrolina Association for the Blind 
704-887-5134 
Fee: $5 - $20 

Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte 
704-495-3315 
Fee: $0 

Disability Rights and Resources, Let’s All Go/Transportation Tool Kit 
704-537-0550 
Fee: $0 

Road to Recovery, American Cancer Society 
800-227-2345 
Fee: $0 

N.C. Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, Charlotte Region 
704-918-1554 (video phone) 
Fee: $0  

Questions? Customers can call MTS customer relations at 704-336-3040.