The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Vanpool Program is committed to providing its customers with a safe, reliable and cost effective choice for commuting. In order to keep pace with cost increases, the vanpool program is proposing a 15 percent fare increase. To hear more about this proposal, ask questions and share your comments, please drop by CATS' Open House in Room 266 (on the second floor) at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center.

Staff will be present to provide information and answer questions about CATS vanpool service.

If you are unable to attend, you can view the information online at www.ridetransit.org by clicking on Transit Programs, then Vanpool.

Tuesday, June 2
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center, Room 266
600 E. Fourth Street

Have you signed up to receive the City's new quarterly environmental newsletter? Simply go to www.charlottenc.gov. Once there, click on Focus On The Environment. Through the newsletter, you'll learn about Charlotte's latest environmental initiatives and how you can help our community go green.

Beginning Monday, June 1, riders will see several changes to more than 20 Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus routes. These changes are designed to improve route efficiencies and save travel time for customers. Routes with increasing ridership will see additional service and other less traveled routes will see reductions. Several routes will also see times of the last trip from the Charlotte Transportation Center adjusted.

CATS monitors its routes to be sure the system is running as cost-effectively as possible while at the same time meeting the commuting needs of its customers.

For a complete list of schedule changes, visit www.ridetransit.org and click on Service Changes.

Want to be alerted by e-mail of the latest LYNX Blue Line and bus information? Click on Notify Me to sign up. For additional information about CATS and its services, you may also call 704-336-RIDE (7433).

Log on to your bank's online bill pay website and sign up to receive your City of Charlotte Services bills electronically. It is free, simple, secure – and green. You can also schedule your payments to be made automatically and set a maximum amount that your bank account could be drafted.

Why sign up for paperless billing?

• Do your part in saving the environment by eliminating the need for paper bills and checks.
• Save money on the postage required for mailed payments.
• Save your online City Services bills and view them at your convenience.
• Never worry about paying your bill on time.

Go green and simplify your life with just a few clicks. Sign up today.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center (CMGC) has earned the ENERGY STAR designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award is the mark of superior energy performance and identifies the facility as one the most efficient buildings in the nation.

To earn the label, the CMGC facility demonstrated that its energy performance is in the top 25% compared to similar buildings nationwide. Conditions for thermal comfort, indoor air quality and luminance levels must also be met. The CMGC competed in the "office building" category and is now one of four ENERGY STAR office buildings in Center City and one of 15 in Charlotte. The City will receive a plaque for display and may use the official ENERGY STAR logo to promote this prestigious designation.

ENERGY STAR is an annual recognition. Although CMGC has been running at this efficiency level for several years, this is the first year the facility has applied for the designation.

The Government Channel brings you the latest City Source episode on Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m. The episode will give you an in-depth look at the newest recycling efforts underway in Charlotte and provide information about the Parent Toolkit available to local parents. You'll also learn how CDOT fixes and maintains signal lights and electrical boxes.

For your convenience, you can view episodes of City Source online at www.charmeck.org by clicking on The Government Channel logo.

If you know someone who would be interested in reading CMail, please forward it to them!