Frequently Asked Questions

• Central Piedmont Early College
• East Mecklenburg High
• E.E. Waddell High
• P.A.C.E. 
• Harding University High
• Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
• Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences
• Military Global Leadership Academy 
• North Mecklenburg High
• Northwest School of the Arts
• Secondary Montessori @ J.T. Williams
• South Mecklenburg High
• UNCC (Charlotte Early Teacher and Engineering at Central Campus) 

Over the years, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has increased the number of magnet programs offered, resulting in a growing demand for more transportation. To optimize the transportation system under strain and demands of growth the department has identified Express Stops as an alternative mode to increase access, increase system efficiencies, and improve the student experience.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Transportation analyzed alternative transportation service models listed below.

• Hub and Spoke Model – Students are required to ride to a "hub" school and transfer to another bus that takes them to their school. For our district, it would require additional buses and drivers to meet the bell schedules and does not address the lengthy ride times for students.
• Public Transportation – Requires coordination with Charlotte Area Transit System, but additional costs and timing challenges exist.
• Consolidated Stops – Requires parents to opt-in to the stop and does not provide any security at the sites where students gather. This model does not address lengthy bus rides and staffing shortages.

Express Stops were chosen at locations:

• That will serve the greatest number of magnet school students.
• With schools where bell schedules that can accommodate magnet express pick-up and drop-off times, to minimize traffic concerns or disruptions to the host school’s students and staff.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Security Associates and/or school officials will be on-site at most Express Stop locations; Transportation staff will also help direct students to the correct bus for the first several weeks of school.

Parents are encouraged to bring their child(ren) to the Express Stop ten minutes before the scheduled departure time. Parents that arrive after the bus has departed will not be allowed to leave their child at the Express Stop and will have to transport their student to the magnet school.

Parents are encouraged to be at the Express Stop at the designated time in the afternoon. If unable, please look for alternative transportation solutions for your child(ren).  

Once the bus departs from the location, there may or may not be any additional monitoring of students.

No, there is inadequate parking for students to park and ride the express bus. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools does not assume any liability regarding the parking of cars by students that utilize the express bus; these cars will be removed from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools property at the owners’ expense. We encourage all parents and students to refrain from seeking parking in surrounding neighborhoods or businesses; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will not be responsible for any legal issues or liability associated with the illegal parking of vehicles.

Yes, but parents may only choose an express stops location that serves the magnet program their child attends. For example, a UNCC student assigned to the East Mecklenburg Express Stop location may request to be re-assigned to another UNCC Express Stop. (i.e., Butler High) but can not request an express stop that is not designated for UNCC.

Parents may request a change in express stop assignment by completing the Alternate Stop Request Form.

Yes. This is handled on a case-by-case basis. An Alternate Stop Request Form needs to be submitted. 

Most students will be assigned to their closest high school - less than three miles away from their home. Exceptions may apply in areas with higher interest in bus service - in this case, we have used additional Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools sites to reduce the travel distance to the Express Stop. 

It is important to recognize the geography of our county and neighborhoods may create circumstances that result in a family traveling more than a mile to a main road and or greater than 3 miles to a school. At the same time, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools sites and proper utilization of the bus are required. 

Yes, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Transportation is committed to making this plan beneficial for the magnet students involved and improving our service for students that ride our buses daily. Parents are asked to submit questions and feedback by calling 980.343.6715.