SRTP Priorities Comments and Responses
Comment Period: April 24 – May 23, 2008
Triangle Transit response in italics
Comments on proposed changes to existing service
Route 105: How would the “coordination of services” along Hillsborough Street affect the route, timing, and frequency of the route?
- The goal is to provide more regular, frequent service between downtown Raleigh and the NC State Fairgrounds/Carter Finley stadium by coordinating the service of the three transit providers (Wolfline, cat, Triangle Transit) so that trips are more evenly spaced with 15 minutes (or less) between trips all day on weekdays. After specific changes to the transit schedule have been determined, Triangle Transit will notify and encourage the public to provide feedback on the proposed changes.
Route 201: There was support for a new express route from North Raleigh to RTP, suggesting Triangle Town Center as a park-and-ride location. Mid-day service, extended service into the evening, and more frequent and express service for the RTP to Raleigh trip during the peak afternoon hours was also requested.
- Route 201 is planned to be divided into two routes to improve access from North Raleigh to RTP in FY2011. The western portion of the existing route will be similar to its current routing. A new express route on the eastern portion will be added that will provide service to RTP via I-540. Triangle Town Center is being considered as the origin of the route and a park-and-ride location. Because this route primarily serves commuters, mid-day and evening service is not likely initially.
Route 301: For the eastern section of Route 301 (Cary –Raleigh), there was concern that service between south Cary and downtown Raleigh and NC State would be eliminated or reduced. Increasing bus frequency, extending service later into the evening, and adding Saturday service along this route were also suggested.
- In response to customer feedback, Triangle Transit has removed the realignment of Route 301 to the Chatham/Hillsborough/Western corridor from the Short-Range Transit Plan. Service along a portion of the existing 301 route will soon increase because Cary Transit has proposed adding mid-day service along Buck Jones Rd to Western Blvd in FY2009. Triangle Transit will continue to work with the Town of Cary and City of Raleigh to provide more direct service between downtown Cary and downtown Raleigh all day (similar to the current mid-day Route 303), including service to a park-and-ride location. Though increased frequency, evening, and Saturday service are not part of the Short-Range Transit Plan, these suggestions will be considered as demand for more transit service dictates.
For the western section of Route 301 (RTP – Cary), there was concern that the route would be slower during peak hours due to traffic bottlenecks along NC 54, such as eastbound at Morrisville Parkway and in both directions at Morrisville Carpenter Road.
- Triangle Transit has selected this realignment to provide service to Perimeter Park and to align routes near the rail corridor, recently recommended recommendations by the Special Transit Advisory Commission. We have slated this project for FY2011 in anticipation of the completion of road widening on NC-54.
Route 305: There was support for the expansion of Route 305 to Holly Springs. There were also suggestions to adjust the current schedule to better serve the 8am-5pm workday.
- Triangle Transit is planning to extend service to a park-and-ride location in Holly Springs in FY2013. It is possible that this timeframe could be adjusted if additional resources can be secured and if a partnership with local municipalities develops sooner. We will consider schedule adjustments in the near term.
Route 402/403/412/413: There was support for a return to previously available night service on the existing 402/403/412/413 routes as well as a request for Sunday service. Support was expressed for a breakup of the “400s” loop into 3 separate routes as long as continued service is provided for these locations. On-time performance is an issue for these routes, especially during the evening peak period.
- A return to the previously available night service is planned for FY2009. Sunday service is scheduled to be added in FY2011. We will address the on-time performance of our routes in the first two years of the Short-Range Transit Plan. Breaking the “400s” into 3 or 4 separate routes may help simplify the system and improve on-time performance.
Route 420: Riders noted that the bus was often crowded during peak hours and that the frequency should be increased to improve service and to alleviate the overcrowding.
- Triangle Transit is working with Orange Public Transportation in FY2009 to address peak trip overcrowding problems and adjust the schedule to be more consistent and predictable. Additional service frequency is planned for FY2012 given adequate ridership demand, though this could occur sooner if additional resources can be secured.
Airport Service: There were requests for more frequent and direct service to RDU Airport from downtown Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill as well as park-and-ride facilities.
- Triangle Transit is planning to add a direct connection between downtown Raleigh and RDU Airport in FY2013. At the urging of our Board of Trustees, this service concept and the possibility of adding direct service from other locations will be further studied in FY2010 with the goal of improving regional transit access to RDU airport.
Route 500/550: Many riders expressed support for additional frequency of service during peak hours and hourly service throughout the day. Schedule adjustments may need to be made to ensure buses stay on schedule and maintain reliable transfer opportunities.
- Triangle Transit is currently looking into the possible leasing of over-the-road coaches, which have a higher seating capacity, and are more comfortable and reliable for longer distance routes. Additional peak hour trips may also be added to alleviate the current overcrowding problem on these express routes. The existing express routes provide service only during peak hours and while it is currently not in the plan to expand service throughout the day, expansion will be considered as the demand for services increases.
Route 600/650: There were requests for additional frequency of service during peak hours to address overcrowding. Additional requests were received to better coordinate the schedule with the departures from the DATA terminal (to arrive at the terminal before the hour or half hour).
- Triangle Transit is currently planning to increase the frequency of the Durham-Raleigh express (Route 600) in FY2010 and will consider a swifter implementation of this initiative if resources can be identified more quickly. In the meantime, as with Routes 500/550, we are looking into leasing over-the-road coaches as well as providing additional trips to address the immediate need for additional capacity on these express routes. Staff will investigate opportunities to improve on-time performance and better coordinate with local systems.
Wake Forest-Raleigh Express: Some customers requested service from Wake Forest to NCSU and RTP.
- Triangle Transit began service on the Wake Forest Express in July 2008, providing weekday hourly service from Wake Forest to Triangle Town Center and downtown Raleigh during peak periods and between Wake Forest and Triangle Town Center during the mid-day. While the Wake Forest Express does not continue to NCSU, access to campus is provided through timed transfers to other Triangle Transit and CAT routes at Moore Square. Once the North Raleigh to RTP Express route is implemented in FY2011, access from Wake Forest to RTP will be provided through a coordination of the two express routes and a transfer at Triangle Town Center.
Saturday Service: Several riders expressed the need for earlier and later service on the existing Saturday routes (6am & 11pm). There was also support for Saturday service on Route 420, Route 301, and Routes 500/550.
- While extending service later on Saturdays is not detailed in the Short-Range Transit Plan, there are placeholders in each year of the plan for the addition of service where demand exists. Triangle Transit is taking these comments into consideration and could address an expansion of Saturday service hours as demand for these services increases. Likewise, adding Saturday service on Routes 420, 301 and 500/550, will be further examined.
Sunday Service: There was interest in a Sunday express route between downtown Raleigh and Chapel Hill and between downtown Raleigh and Duke University/VA Hospital.
- Triangle Transit is planning to provide Sunday service in FY2011 that is similar to the existing Saturday service. This means that Routes 101, 412S, 413S, and 747 will run on Sundays. There are currently no plans to provide service beyond current Saturday levels.
RTP Shuttles: In order to reduce the time on the RTP end of a commute, riders requested better coordination of the shuttles with the regional bus service, improving the on-time performance, and increasing the frequency of the shuttles.
- Triangle Transit will be conducting a study in FY2009 to investigate the best ways to improve regional access to RTP, which could include innovative partnerships with RTP businesses to provide these services. In FY2010, Triangle Transit and the RTP’s employer partners will implement demonstration projects to test their effectiveness. In the meantime, efforts to improve the shuttles’ on-time performance and provide reliable connections with regional routes will be ongoing.
Comments on service expansions
Clayton – Johnston County: There was support for the proposed service expansion to a park-and-ride located in Clayton and suggestions to extend further into Johnston County.
- Triangle Transit is planning to extend the current Route 102 to provide service from Clayton and Garner to downtown Raleigh in FY2011 with an increased frequency of service in FY2013. If a partnership develops sooner, the implementation of this service could be considered ahead of the projected date.
Southern Wake Express: There was support for the Southern Wake Express providing access for residents of Fuquay-Varina to downtown Raleigh. People supported service to Harnett County in general with access to Wake Tech and Wake Med in Raleigh.
- Capital Area Transit (cat) will begin operating the service from downtown Raleigh to Wake Tech in FY2009. With this change, Triangle Transit will begin negotiations to find a suitable park-and-ride location near Wake Tech. Service is planned for an extension into Fuquay-Varina in FY2013.
Durham to Person County Express: There was support for the Person County to Durham Express service. Riders suggested Rougemont as a location for a park-and-ride and requested that the express route be timed with the Durham-Raleigh Express with a transfer at the American Tobacco Parking Deck.
- Triangle Transit has proposed the implementation of service from Person County to Duke/Durham in FY2012. Service characteristics, including park-and-ride locations, schedules, and timed transfer opportunities will be determined closer to the date of implementation.
Other Comments
Real time passenger information: There was significant support for real time information about bus locations and delays to be provided online and at the call center similar to the system implemented for the NC State Wolfline and Chapel Hill Transit. Additionally, text messages alerting riders of bus delays were suggested as a way to inform riders about their commute. Riders also expressed interest in information about bus arrival times to be provided at the bus stops.
- Triangle Transit is currently planning to implement a real time passenger information system in FY2010. This system will attempt to integrate the existing systems in the region used by the various transit agencies and will be provided through a web interface and the GoTriangle Regional Information Center.
Durham Bulls home games: Express service from Raleigh and Chapel Hill for games played at the Durham Bulls Stadium was suggested.
- Triangle Transit provided free bus service from Cary to Durham Bulls home games, but discontinued service in 2007. This service was initiated as a marketing demonstration for the wider range of Triangle Transit services, but was not cost effective. Within the last year, changes in the Federal Transit Administration’s charter regulations now prohibit us from offering this type of service, so it is unlikely that similar service will be offered in the future.
Additional express routes: There were suggestions for a Southpoint to NCSU express route and an express from Regency Park in Cary to RTP and Durham.
- Triangle Transit did not identify these corridors as priorities in the Short Range Transit Plan. We recognize that transit demand exists in other corridors, but do not have the resources to provide all of the services requested.
Seats on new Gillig buses: Several people commented that the seats on the older Thomas buses were more comfortable than the seats on the new Gillig buses, especially for the longer express routes.
- As Triangle Transit focuses on providing improved express regional bus service, we may consider the use of over-the-road coaches for the express routes. The over-the-road coaches are designed for comfort on longer trips. The older Thomas bus seats are more difficult to maintain than the new bus seats, but we will continue working with transit manufacturers as newer buses are purchased to provide the best ride possible.
Bike racks: The bike racks on the front of the bus are often full and riders often have to wait for the next bus since it is not allowed to bring the bike on the bus.
- Triangle Transit ran a pilot program with 3-bike capacity racks on the front of the bus and determined that the rack was not strong enough to safely secure the bikes while the bus was in motion. Having three bicycles mounted in front of the vehicle obscured its headlights. For these reasons, we have returned to the 2-bike rack as have many public transit providers nationwide. It will continue to be Triangle Transit policy to not allow bikes inside the bus for safety reasons. As part of our amenities improvement program, staff is looking into the possibility of adding bike storage facilities at major stops in our system. For our express routes, we are looking into purchasing or leasing over-the-road coaches. These coaches may be outfitted to carry additional bicycles in the luggage compartment under the bus.
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