Cabarrus County kicks off new service for better access to jobs

A new transportation service linking rural residents to major employment, shopping, and medical offices will begin October 5 in Cabarrus County. Part of Cabarrus County Transportation Service (CCTS), Cabarrus Links will provide public transportation to residents in Harrisburg, Midland, and Mount Pleasant. Cabarrus Links has several designated pick–up locations in these communities with routes going to Concord Mills, Carolina Mall, CMC–Northeast, and the CK Rider bus hub, where riders can transfer their ticket to take a bus to locations throughout Concord and Kannapolis.

A kickoff celebration for Cabarrus Links was held on Wednesday, September 30 at 10 am at Concord Mills. Randy Bass, the CCTS director opened the ceremony. Also speaking at the event were the Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Troy Barnhardt, the Mayor pro-tem of Midland, Kathy Kitts and the town administrator from Harrisburg, NC, Michelle Reap Smith. The last person to speak was Miss Wheel Chair America who is one of CCTS clients.

This new public transportation option comes after a two–year process where Cabarrus County’s public transportation officials worked collaboratively with stakeholders from various human service agencies, major employers, and education institutions to determine ways to provide reliable transportation to connect rural residents with shopping and leisure destinations in Cabarrus County’s larger cities and to provide better access to jobs. Cabarrus Links is funded by a $200,000 federal matching grant provided by the Job Access Reverse Commute Transportation Program.