Microtransit will kill "Better Bus"

Charlotte's Microtransit model is based on Philadelphia's, which has been studied by multiple institutions around the US which found that it is the WORST possible way to do microtransit. In actuality not only does Microtransit cost 7-8 times more per rider than fixed-route bus service, but it's being used as an excuse to undercut the unions as well. Microtransit riders are paid $24 per hour compared to the CATS bus drivers' $35 per hour. Ultimately it also serves fewer low-income people, because a 6 AM-7 PM service leaves low income workers high and dry. Many low income jobs don't even operate 8/9 AM-5 PM shifts anymore, because the low income jobs are built to service the middle-to-high income, white collar jobs that operate on that schedule. A person working 5 AM to 2 PM isn't going to have service to get to work, and a person working 2 PM to 11 PM isn't going to have service to get home after work. Yet CATS is converting these low ridership bus routes to microtransit, because they think high microtransit ridership reflects a more desired service, when in reality it reflects the extremely poor availability and condition of fixed route bus service in Charlotte.