Qcity residents looking to travel between uptown Charlotte and Johnson C. Smith University will soon have a new, free option.

Starting Feb. 14, the Charlotte Area Transit System will extend its Gold Rush Red Line service to travel between JCSU and Central Piedmont Community College’s central campus. The shuttle currently runs a route contained to uptown, from West Trade Street, at Johnson & Wales University and Gateway Village, east to the Elizabeth Avenue-McDowell Street area.

A CATS spokeswoman told the Charlotte Observer that the cost of the Gold Rush extension will be about $200,000 a year. She said CATS will share the cost with Charlotte Center City Partners, JCSU and CPCC.

When the extended route begins, the shuttle will operate from 6:40 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the uptown area and starting at 7:45 a.m. at CPCC and Johnson C. Smith. Buses will operate on 12-minute intervals.

JCSU President Ronald Carter said the extended route will “visibly connect Johnson C. Smith University to uptown Charlotte.”

The expansion follows recent uncertainty about the Gold Rush's future: In June, Bank of America said it would drop its support.

The Charlotte-based bank had paid $300,000 to support the service. But since last year, it has been reducing that amount by 25 percent each year, and will stop giving CATS money within three years.
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Our online news partner, The Charlotte Observer, contributed to this report.

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