One of the only public transit options connecting Rock Hill to Charlotte could soon disappear.
Unless a last-minute solution is found, the popular 82X express bus route will stop operating on June 30 after Rock Hill decided not to renew its contract with CATS.
The Charlotte Area Transit System route runs from Rock Hill through Fort Mill and into Charlotte, providing a daily commute option for residents who work across the state line.
Rock Hill officials cited declining ridership and rising operating costs as the reasons for ending the agreement.
The decision would eliminate four stops in Rock Hill and the Fort Mill area unless new funding is secured.
In response, CATS has proposed a vanpool program that would provide passenger vans for commuters. Riders would be responsible for organizing pickup locations, schedules, and drivers.
Many riders, however, say the alternative is not a replacement for the convenience of the existing bus service.
Commuters are also appealing to Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and the Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area Transportation Study for potential financial support.
With the June 30 deadline approaching, local leaders and transit officials continue searching for a way to keep the route alive.
If no agreement is reached, the 82X’s final run will mark the end of a decades-long transit connection between York County and Charlotte.
