Charlotte Bus Route 51: Carolina Place Mall to Matthews Park & Ride
Carolina Place Mall ↔ Matthews Park & Ride
📅 Editorial review: October 2026 | ℹ️ Independent planning guide — not affiliated with CATS | 🎯 Route 51 stops, fares & schedule overview
✅ Official CATS service in Charlotte: Route 51 connects Carolina Place Mall with Matthews Park & Ride. Buses run from 7:12 AM to 6:18 PM.
📋 Route 51 Essential Information
- Route: 51 — Carolina Place Mall ↔ Matthews Park & Ride
- Operator: CATS (Charlotte)
- Stops: 37 towards Matthews Park & Ride; 35 towards Carolina Place Mall
- First departure: 7:12 AM | Last departure: 6:18 PM
- Service: Daily, including weekends
- Fare: Local one-way fare $2.20 (express routes higher — see below)
📖 About Route 51
Route 51 links Carolina Place Mall and Matthews Park & Ride. The stop list below is the complete, current CATS pattern, so you can plan boarding and getting off with confidence.
🚏 Route 51 Complete Stop List
Towards Matthews Park & Ride (from Carolina Place Mall)
- Carolina Place Mall
- Park Rd & Carolina Place Pkwy
- Park Rd & Sam’s Club
- Park Rd & I-485
- Park Rd & Camelback Cir
- Park Rd & Tradewinds Ln
- Park Rd & Blue Heron
- Park Rd & Hunter Trail Ln
- Park Rd & Hunter Ridge Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Blue Heron Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & McMullen Creek Pkwy
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Johnston Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Carmel Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Carmel Commons Blvd
- Pineville Matthews Rd & Bannington Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Baybrook Ln
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Elm Ln
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Rea Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Cary Ridge Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Strawberry Ln
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Arboretum View
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Arboretum Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Beckmore Pl
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Hugh Forest Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Echo Forest Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Alexander Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Schooner Ln
- Matthews Township Pkwy & Sardis Rd
- Matthews Township Pkwy & W John St
- Monroe Rd & Hwy 51
- John St & Ames Rd
- Trade St & Matthews Station St
- Trade St & Park Center Dr
- Trade St & Matthews Township Pkwy
- Sam Newell Rd & Mann Dr
- Sam Newell Rd & Matthews Commons Dr
- Matthews Park & Ride
Towards Carolina Place Mall (from Matthews Park & Ride)
- Matthews Park & Ride
- Sam Newell Rd & Matthews Commons Dr
- Sam Newell Rd & Mann Dr
- Trade St & Park Center Dr
- Trade St & Charles St
- John St & Ames Rd
- Monroe Rd & Lois St
- Matthews Township Pkwy & W John St
- Matthews Township Pkwy & Sardis Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Schooner Ln
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Alexander Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Echo Forest Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Beverly Crest Bv
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Beckmore Pl
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Arboretum Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Providence Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Arboretum View
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Cary Ridge Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Rea Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Elm Ln
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Baybrook Ln
- Pineville Matthews Rd & Bannington Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Carmel Executive Dr
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Carmel Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & Johnston Rd
- Pineville-Matthews Rd & 8500
- Park Rd & Hunter Ridge Dr
- Park Rd & Osprey Dr
- Park Rd & Blue Heron Dr
- Park Rd & Tradewinds Ln
- Park Rd & Camelback Cir
- Park Rd & I-485
- Park Rd & Sam’s Club
- Park Rd & Carolina Place Pkwy
- Carolina Place Mall
⏰ Route 51 Schedule & Service Hours
Scheduled departures from the terminal (CATS timetable via Transit, verified October 2026):
From Carolina Place Mall towards Matthews Park & Ride
| Day | First departure | Last departure | Departures | Average interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM | 13 | ~45 min |
| Monday | 7:12 AM | 6:06 PM | 14 | ~50 min |
From Matthews Park & Ride towards Carolina Place Mall
| Day | First departure | Last departure | Departures | Average interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 8:10 AM | 6:00 PM | 14 | ~45 min |
| Monday | 9:00 AM | 6:18 PM | 11 | ~55 min |
💵 Fare Information
The CATS local one-way fare is $2.20 (day pass $6.60, monthly pass $88.00). Express routes cost more — $3.00 one-way, or $4.40 for Express Plus regional routes. Fares are set by CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System); confirm the current table on charlottenc.gov before travelling.
🗺️ Key Destinations on Route 51
- Park Rd & Carolina Place Pkwy — park
- Park Rd & Sam’s Club — park
- Park Rd & I-485 — park
- Park Rd & Camelback Cir — park
- Park Rd & Tradewinds Ln — park
- Park Rd & Blue Heron — park
- Park Rd & Hunter Trail Ln — park
- Park Rd & Hunter Ridge Dr — park
🧭 How to Ride Route 51 — Step by Step
- Check the schedule below for your direction and get to the stop a few minutes early.
- Have your fare ready — pay on board or use the agency’s official app or card where accepted.
- Signal the driver as the bus approaches and board through the front door.
- Pull the stop-request cord or press the button before your stop and exit through the rear doors.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the first 51 bus leave?
The first scheduled departures from the terminals are at 7:12 AM from Carolina Place Mall and 9:00 AM from Matthews Park & Ride.
What time is the last 51 bus?
The last scheduled departures are at 6:06 PM from Carolina Place Mall and 6:18 PM from Matthews Park & Ride.
Does Route 51 run on weekends?
Yes — the current schedule shows departures every day, including Saturdays and Sundays.
Route and timetable data: CATS via Transit. Independently compiled by the BusUpdate editorial team; confirm time-sensitive details with CATS before travelling. Schedule verified October 2026.