STAC Regional Transit Vision Plan

The Special Transit Advisory Commission (STAC) has developed a Regional Transit Vision Plan for the Triangle to provide a framework for future investments. The recommendations reflect the complexity of our region, which requires multi-pronged, multi-modal strategies to building a complete transportation system. The plan, released May 29th, recommends a high-quality, regional transit system to serve North Carolina’s Research Triangle Region by promoting closer connections between our land use and transportation patterns and providing more travel choices for our growing population. Three major categories of investments are recommended:

Enhanced Region-wide Bus Network:

Expanded bus service throughout the region to connect communities and bring communities presently unserved by transit into a regional transit network. Improvements to local bus networks are also recommended; local transit providers will play a key role in locating and designing these service enhancements.

• High frequency, express service between the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and downtown Durham, downtown Raleigh including the Convention Center, and the Cary train station park and ride
• Rush Hour Only service to outlying communities
• Enhanced bus service in core areas to support the rail and circulator investments
• A system of park and ride lots to be served by the regional network and the express service
• Enhanced transit access for pedestrians and bicycles around park and ride lots and bus stops

Circulators:

Circulators to provide flexible travel options within our major activity centers. Circulator zones are depicted at the conceptual level only, actual routes will be sited by the respective communities and MPOs. Initially all circulators are anticipated to be buses with potential future operations by modern street cars or trolleys depending on local conditions, communities and costs.

• RDU/RTP circulator connecting RDU to the Triangle Metro Center and other major activities areas in RTP
• Circulators in the downtowns of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Cary

Rail Investments:

The regional system is anchored by rail service that connects the region’s principal centers of activity, serves our most congested corridors, and offers the greatest opportunities to influence development patterns.

• The segments connecting Durham, RTP, Cary, downtown Raleigh and north Raleigh will use diesel multiple unit (DMU) rail cars operating within existing railroad rights-of-way.
• The segment connecting Chapel Hill to Durham will use Light Rail Transit (LRT), electrically-driven rail cars on a new alignment.

Projected Trip Demand for 2035

Copies of the report, supporting maps, documents, meeting minutes and presentation materials are available from the website of the Special Transit Advisory Commission

Final Report and Recommendations direct links:

• Report Cover and Table of Contents (125 KB)
• Section 1: Executive Summary (61.4 KB)
• Map 1: Regional Transit Vision Plan (2.2mb)
• Map 2: Enhanced Region-Wide Bus Service (2.3mb)
• Map 3: Recommended Rail Investments (2.1mb)
• Section 2: Setting the Stage (221 KB)
• Section 3: Why Invest in Transit? (204 KB)
• Section 4: Where to Invest: Corridors for Major Transit Investments (49.6 KB)
• Section 5: Kinds of Investments: Service Concepts and Transit Technologies (65 KB)
• Section 6: Recommended Investments: Connection Corridors, Service Concepts and Technologies (64 KB)
• Section 7: Implementation: Building the Regional Transit Vision Plan (162.5 KB)
• Appendices Table of Contents (17 KB)
• Appendices A-C (711 KB)
• Appendix D (881.7 KB)
• Appendix E (1.5 MB)
• Appendices F-G (937 KB)
• Appendices H-I (336.9 KB)
• Appendix J (3.7 MB)

For more information about WakeUP Wake County's planned Transit Forum June 26th go to: Transit: Is Wake County Ready For It?