We’re in the second year of Wake County’s 10-year, $2.3 billion transit plan, and there are lots of changes on the horizon. In the next fiscal year beginning in July, Wake will invest $4.7 million in planning for 20 miles of bus rapid transit and 37 miles of commuter rail services, at a total long-term cost of $47 million. Starting this year, riders 18 years old and younger will be able to ride public buses for free, to encourage them to become lifelong transit users. GoRaleigh and GoTriangle will get more, new buses; 55 bus stops will receive improvements and the county will add and improve park-and-ride lots. Additionally, GoRaleigh, GoCary and GoTriangle will build on their expanded services from 2017, adding new routes and increased frequency.
In Raleigh, there will be new bus routes along Poole, Barwell, Rock Quarry, Martin Luther King Jr. and Sunnybrook Roads, adding services to schools, shopping and community centers in Southeast Raleigh. The plan will also realign the Rex Hospital route, adding four new routes along Blue Ridge and Edwards Mill Roads to serve the NC Museum of Art, the NC State Fairgrounds and PNC Arena.
GoTriangle will increase frequency on its express routes between Durham and Raleigh (DRX), and Chapel Hill and Raleigh (CRX). It will add service hours to Service 100, which serves RDU Airport and Route 300, running between Cary and Raleigh. Finally, the on-demand service Wake Tracs, which serves elderly and disabled customers, will add more than 3,600 trips, an the Regional Transit Information Center will expand its operating hours. Reach them with questions at 919-485-RIDE. Email your comments on the work plan to info@waketransit.com before March 12, or get more information on the plan at waketransit.com.
