GoTriangle awarded $1.8 million in federal grants to promote cleaner air and improve transit access to Wendell and Zebulon
(DURHAM NC March 12, 2024) GoTriangle efforts to reduce carbon emissions in its operations and to improve access to regional transit service in eastern Wake County got a boost over the weekend when Congress awarded the regional transit agency $1.8 million in Transit Infrastructure Grants. The funding came because U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (2nd District) and U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (13th District) each requested a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“We would like to thank Rep. Nickel and Rep. Ross for their tireless efforts to help us improve the quality of air we breathe and to build out a transit network that connects our region so that everyone can easily get to school, work, health care, and entertainment,” said GoTriangle President and CEO Charles Lattuca. “Access to safe and reliable transit is access to life’s opportunities and builds possibilities for generations to come.”
GoTriangle operates a variety of regional bus service, paratransit, ride-matching, vanpool, and microtransit service. Every year, GoTriangle removes millions of vehicle miles from our highways and roads.
Fleet vehicle upgrade program
Rep. Nickel helped secure $1 million in funding for GoTriangle to purchase 16 zero-emission support fleet vehicles to replace gasoline vehicles that have exceeded their useful life. The project will include new electrical infrastructure, including transformers, control panels, and conduit to support the installation of four Type 2 DC-Fast chargers.
Rep. Nickel said he is proud to have secured $1 million in federal funding that will allow GoTriangle to purchase the new zero-emission support fleet vehicles.
“These new vehicles are critical to the work that GoTriangle does to promote safe and reliable transit services,” Rep. Nickel said. “I’ll continue to fight for more federal funding and initiatives to bolster public transportation, economic opportunity and environmental sustainability in Wake County.”
GoTriangle’s support vehicle fleet is critical to supporting maintenance, responding to incidents and overseeing transit service within GoTriangle’s 1,600-square-mile service area, said GoTriangle Chief of Operations Vinson Hines Jr.
“New plug-in electric support vehicles will reduce emissions, improve air quality and ensure that GoTriangle can continue to provide safe and reliable transit service meeting the needs of our residents and supporting the transit and sustainability goals of Wake County,” he said.
Eastern Wake Transit Access Improvements
Rep. Ross secured $800,000 to improve access to regional transit service in eastern Wake County in the towns of Wendell and Zebulon. The project will result in the construction of 10 new bus stops to support expanded transit service connecting eastern Wake County residents with Raleigh as well as community destinations within Wendell and Zebulon. These improvements include bus stops, sidewalk connections, ADA curb ramps, crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
Rep. Ross said she was proud to fight for federal funding for GoTriangle Eastern Wake transit access improvements that will bolster smart, sustainable and accessible public transportation.
“In recent years, investments in our aging infrastructure have failed to match the booming growth of our local community,” Rep. Ross said. “At a time when more families and businesses are choosing to call eastern Wake County home, we need better transportation options to help residents and visitors get to the places they live, work, learn and more. I thank GoTriangle for leading the fight for affordable and accessible public transit and will continue fighting for federal investments that bring needed resources to our community.”
The proposed stops will improve access for existing transit riders and enhance mobility options for residents of a quickly growing part of Wake County, said GoTriangle Board of Trustees Treasurer Vivian Jones.
“Residents will be better connected to a key regional route, the Zebulon-Wendell Express, that connects emerging job hubs in Wake County, as well as several retail employment destinations, medical services and affordable housing,” she said. “Several stops are also located in areas that have been identified as Environmental Justice Communities of Concern.”