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CARTS and new Craven County MPO propose microtransit pilot; public hearings set for route and grant applications
Summary
Craven County's MPO moved under county transportation staff, Abby McClay outlined MPO functions and CARTS proposed reducing fixed routes from three to two while launching a same-day, $5 on-demand pilot in New Bern; the board set public hearings for the FY28 unified grant application and for the proposed route/fare changes.
Craven County's Metropolitan Planning Organization is now housed within county transportation staff, the board heard, and Abby McClay (the new MPO coordinator) outlined the MPO's role in long-range, multimodal transportation planning and funding support.
McClay and CARTS staff described a microtransit feasibility recommendation to reduce fixed routes from three to two with a single transfer point at the department of social services (DSS) and to redirect resources into a same-day on-demand pilot intended to serve commercial corridors within New Bern. Staff said on-demand rides would use the existing fee schedule and "it would be a $5 fare," and that the pilot would initially operate during nonpeak hours and be monitored for ridership changes. The board agreed to set a public hearing for CARTS' FY28 unified grant application on Sept. 8, 2026 and set the required public hearing on the proposed route/fare changes as requested by staff.
Commissioners asked about ADA usage, service area limits and monitoring; staff said demand-response remains strong and the pilot would preserve most existing stops while removing underutilized stops. The presentation included a plan to publish proposed route changes on CARTS' website, social media and in vehicles and to gather public comment for the Sept. 8 hearing.
