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In November of 2016, Wake County voters approved a plan for focused investment in public transit which puts the implementation of the Wake County Transit Plan in motion. The plan calls for building approximately 20 miles of transit lanes along four (4) Bus Rapid Transit corridors within Wake County (Wake BRT).

What is BRT? Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) definition from Federal Transit Administration: BRT is a high-capacity bus-based transit system that delivers fast and efficient service that may include dedicated lanes, busways, traffic signal priority, off-board fare collection, elevated platforms and enhanced stations. BRT has several distinguishing features which are described below.



Wake Bus Rapid Transit: New Bern Avenue Corridor

Dedicated Bus Lanes BRT buses have their own lane in traffic. Dedicated lanes prevent traffic delays, even during rush hour. Keeping BRT buses separate from general traffic also reduces the risk of collisions, increasing the safety for all vehicles.

Traffic Signal Priority at Intersections BRT buses can coordinate with traffic signals along their route, receiving a longer green light if running late. This increases efficiency and allows the buses to stay on schedule.

Frequent On-Time Service With dedicated lanes and less frequent stops, BRT buses can stick closely to their schedules. BRT buses also will have GPS tracking, so stations can display live, accurate updates for bus arrival time. The goal is to have BRT buses running approximately 15 minutes all day.

Off-Board Fare Collection Passengers will pay the fare at the station, instead of on the bus. This will eliminate wait times and the potential for confusion when boarding the bus. The BRT fare will be the same as all GoRaleigh fares.

Enhanced Stations BRT corridors will have specialized stations that provide more services for riders. These services include improvements to ticketing, scheduling, and boarding. The stations will also have raised platforms for easy boarding. This will eliminate any gap between the station and the bus, making BRT more accessible to users.

Specialized Vehicles The BRT system will have its own custom buses. These larger buses will be able to accommodate more passengers than conventional bus services. The buses will also have doors on both sides and lower floors, for easier loading and unloading.

Unique Branding The BRT system will have its own unique branding and designs. This will make the buses and stations more visible, and help people distinguish between the BRT and other transit services.

Why do we need BRT? The addition of Bus Rapid Transit to Raleigh’s existing network of public transportation will allow the system to better meet transit demands, take more cars off the road, and get riders where they need to go faster. Raleigh already has a successful network of traditional bus routes serving the downtown and surrounding areas. Because BRT is a bus-based rapid transit solution, it can seamlessly supplement the existing system by expanding the reach and capacity of bus service along strategic corridors. Other cities who have implemented BRT have seen successful integration it into a multimodal transit network.

Raleigh BRT: Equitable Development Around Transit Bus Rapid Transit service will serve existing neighborhoods and shape future growth. That is why equity is a core consideration of this project. City Planning is working on a plan for how to foster fair development around transit. Raleigh BRT: Equitable Development Around Transit

Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue The design phase for implementing BRT on New Bern Avenue is underway. Approximately 3.3 miles of the 5.1-mile corridor would use dedicated transit lanes between the GoRaleigh Station, in downtown Raleigh, and Sunnybrook Road. BRT would share the general traffic lanes for the remainder of the corridor between Sunnybrook Road and New Hope Road. Wake BRT: New Bern Avenue

Wake BRT: Western Boulevard The planning phase of implementing BRT along the Western Corridor is underway. The Wake BRT: Western Boulevard Corridor Study will help select the preferred route in advance of more detailed planning and design work. The study also includes a land-use component of understanding redevelopment potential and identifying land use strategies for the corridor. The Western Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh and downtown Cary. Wake BRT: Western Boulevard

Wake BRT: Southern Corridor The planning phase of implementing BRT along the Southern Corridor is underway. The Wake BRT: Southern Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh with the North South Station and Purser Drive in Garner. The current planning phase will help select the preferred route in advance of more detailed planning and design work. Wake BRT: Southern Corridor

