PUBLIC TRANSIT PLANNING
The GCLMPO Study Area is served by several transit systems operating in Gaston, Cleveland, and Lincoln counties. The City of Gastonia operates a fixed-route system within Gastonia, while each of the three counties operate demand-response and deviated fixed-route services.. These agencies each develop and submit transportation projects for funding through the MPO as well as by the NCDOT Division of Public Transportation. These projects are listed in the NCDOT’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which may be viewed here. The GCLMPO will continue to promote an integrated local and regional public transit system.
An effective transportation system is critical to the economic and social well being of the community. The City of Gastonia recognizes the importance of developing an efficient transportation system that is environmentally sensitive and fiscally responsible, while being responsive to the community’s needs, remaining consistent with land use plans, and fostering economic vitality. The goal is to achieve a balanced system that meets the needs of people of all ages and abilities, while also meeting the needs of businesses, industry, and area employers.
Gastonia Transit’s bus fleet consists of seven (7) 2004, 35-foot transit buses, three (3) demand response vans, and one (1) compressed natural gas (“CNG”) bus. All units are air-conditioned and designed to accommodate mobility impaired passengers. All buses pass through the Downtown Transfer Terminal, the Bradley Station. This allows for easy and quick transfers to be made. Gastonia Transit covers over 300,000 miles per year, providing service to over 282,000 passengers annually.
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It is the mission of Gaston County ACCESS Central Transportation to enhance the quality of life for the citizens and of Gaston County by providing timely, cost efficient, high quality, general public and human service transportation.
ACCESS is the transportation “clearinghouse” for the Gaston County human service agencies. ACCESS identifies and arranges the most efficient and economical transportation services for all requests. ACCESS directly provides the needed transportation unless the requests are far more than the department can handle. If this is the case, the department makes the arrangements with outside private providers who can handle the requests, such as private transport services or other public transit providers.
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Provides transportation service to all citizens of Cleveland County per space available. TACC is a non-profit agency that coordinates and provides rural and general public transportation for Cleveland County. Comfortable ADA compliant passenger vans/buses marked with the TACC logo are used to transport scheduled riders.
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Transportation Lincoln County (TLC) is a consolidated transportation system operating in Lincoln County, NC. TLC offers subscription route, demand response and contractual transportation. Service is offered by agreement with the following human service organizations:
- Lincoln County Senior Services
- UMAR – Lincolnton Arts Center
- Lincoln County Department of Social Services
- Lincoln County Veterans Services
- Lincoln County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Gaston Skills/Salem Industries
Transportation Lincoln County serves all of Lincoln County including the municipalities within its borders. Lincoln County is a rural county located near the western piedmont of North Carolina encompassing 316 square miles. The ridership of TLC is comprised of the clients and consumers of the participating organizations as well as the general public. Destination points are at the discretion of the participating agency and include transportation services to points outside Lincoln County.
Rural General Public (RGP) service is available, for a small fare, on all of our routes if the trip deviates no more than 0.75 miles. Route deviation requests must be made the day prior to the trip. Please call TLC dispatch at (704) 736-2030 to arrange your ride. RGP services are also available in the city of Lincolnton on the DASH. RGP service is open to any Lincoln County resident and all service is accessible to persons with disabilities. TLC reserves the right to limit deviations to one per day per passenger on the DASH.
The vehicle fleet of TLC consists of twenty-two (22) ten or fourteen passenger vans. All vehicles are lift equipped.
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