Projects
Bus Plan
The updated County Transit Plans continue to support a number of bus service expansions that have occurred since 2013, when the tax district revenues began to be collected.
Chapel Hill Transit, Durham County ACCESS, GoDurham, GoTriangle and OPT have plans to implement new bus services – including new routes and increased service frequency on existing routes and — and will maintain services that have already been added using the dedicated transit revenues.
These proposed service expansions are subject to change as the agencies evaluate existing services, study new potential services, and as they look at future service needs, ridership trends and public input.
In 2017, both GoTriangle, GoDurham and Chapel Hill Transit plan to begin short-range planning efforts to develop plans for new and revised services over the next five years. Likewise, OPT plans to update a 5-year plan previously adopted by the Orange County Commissioners.
- Chapel Hill Transit plans to add 6,400 service hours over the next two years in addition to the 6,100 annual service hours implemented since 2013, and to purchase 10 new vehicles using the dedicated transit revenues.
- Durham County ACCESS plans to provide over 8,000 additional trips by 2018, and to purchase seven new vehicles.
- GoDurham has added 24,350 additional service hours since 2013, and plans to purchase one additional vehicle on top of the five vehicles already purchased.
- GoTriangle plans to add 7,700 service hours over the next two years in addition to the 14,340 additional annual service hours implemented since 2013 (7,640 in Durham County; 6,700 in Orange County), and to purchase four additional vehicles using the dedicated transit revenues on top of the four vehicles already purchased.
- Orange Public Transportation plans to add 2,400 additional service hours over the next three years in addition to the 4,500 additional annual service hours implemented since 2013, and to purchase six additional vehicles.
Bus Stop Improvements
Bus stops play an important role in how our riders experience transit. GoDurham is working closely with GoTriangle and the City of Durham to continuously improve our bus stops by providing the best amenities for riders as they board and depart the bus. Listening to what riders, businesses, churches, and other community institutions need is a significant part of the process for choosing which bus stop improvements to make.
GoDurham is actively improving stops in its system to meet Durham’s standards for accessibility, shelter, seating, security, and lighting. Local funding is dedicated each year to bus stop improvements throughout the city. A combination of funds dedicated to transit – a half-cent sales tax, vehicle registration fees, and a vehicle rental tax – along with the city’s Participatory Budgeting program will pay for the improvements.
The Greater Triangle Commuter Rail Project was included as part of the transit plans of both Wake and Durham counties. Those transit plans have included a 37-mile commuter rail line with stops in downtown Durham, Research Triangle Park, Morrisville, Cary, NC State University, downtown Raleigh, and Garner in their transit plans. Additionally, Johnston County has committed money to evaluate extending the route to Clayton.