Board backs MPO expansion, approves public hearings for CARTS route changes and accepts $400,000 ConCPT grant for Greenville Express

Transportation Director Deanna Trebil briefed the Board on three transit items: the Craven County MPO expansion to countywide coverage, proposed fixed-route changes with a same-day OnDemand+ pilot, and acceptance of a $400,000 FY27 ConCPT grant to pilot a Greenville Express service.

Trebil said the MPO officially expanded to include the entirety of Craven County as of July 1, 2026 and that by housing the MPO within the County Transportation Department the county will be the lead planning agency. She requested the Board set a public hearing for Sept. 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM for the FY28 Unified Grant Application; the Board set the hearing unanimously. Trebil also asked the Board to set a second public hearing for proposed CARTS route changes and the OnDemand+ pilot (same date/time). Trebil described the OnDemand+ pilot as mid-day, non-peak same-day service with rides reserved first-come, first-served; staff estimate the pilot can be run with no additional operational expense by reducing three fixed routes to two and reallocating resources. The Board set the route/public hearing 5-0.

On the Greenville Express, Trebil said CARTS applied for the NCDOT-IMD FY27 ConCPT Grant and that $400,000 in state funding has been approved for the pilot — $274,500 for operating expenses and $125,500 for a bus replacement. She asked the Board to accept the grant, approve a $400,000 budget amendment and a fare change for the Greenville passenger fare from $5 one-way to $20 one-way; the Board approved and authorized the County Manager to execute necessary agreements (5-0).