On Tuesday, November 8, according to unofficial results, Wake County voters approved a half-cent sales tax transit referendum, which will be dedicated to help fund significant public transportation improvements identified in the Wake County Transit Plan (the vote is expected to be officially certified around November 18).
"This is truly an historic moment for our rapidly growing area, and GoTriangle staff and Board members are excited to work with the community to implement this transit plan," said Board Chair Jennifer Robinson. "The support of Wake County voters will allow us to invest in a modern public transportation system that will give people an alternative to driving in congestion, help grow the economy and provide greater access for all residents to work, school and other important destinations."
The plan will make transit options more frequent, reliable and easy to use. Once complete, 50 percent of homes and 70 percent of jobs will be within a half mile of a transit stop in Wake County.
"GoTriangle is proud to be one of the partners who will help build a robust transit system that will better connect all of Wake County, and the region, and provide many new travel choices as the county continues to grow by about 450 people every week," said GoTriangle General Manager Jeff Mann.
Under the plan the transit agencies will:
- Triple existing bus service by creating a frequent bus network and adding more service later into evenings and on weekends.
- Provide peak-hour commuter service to all Wake County communities and a program to match municipal funding for smaller towns to implement additional local bus service.
- Build a bus rapid transit (BRT) system with dedicated lanes on local roads, traffic signal priority, and other infrastructure improvements as determined appropriate to meet the travel needs of the community.
- Build a 37-mile Commuter Rail Transit line from Garner to Durham, with stops in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville and the Research Triangle Park.
Read more about the Wake County Transit Plan and what commuters can expect in the months and years ahead by visiting www.waketransit.com.
GoTriangle offers safe, reliable, and easy-to-use travel choices including bus, bike, walking, carpool, and vanpool. More information is available at www.gotriangle.org.
For more information call Brad Schulz at 919-485-7434 or bschulz@gotriangle.org or Mike Charbonneau at 919-485-7413 or mcharbonneau@gotriangle.org