New Wake County transit plan includes expanded bus service

Wake County voters agreed to fund a countywide transit plan back in 2016 that would change the way residents and visitors use buses. The $2.3 billion transit plan includes a commuter rail system and expanded bus service.

One of the expansions includes Bus Rapid Transit, which calls for specific lanes and stations along Raleigh's Capital Boulevard, Wilmington Street, New Bern Avenue and Western Boulevard, all the way to Cary. The buses would run every 10 to 15 minutes.

Richmond, Va., is building a similar line right now.

A group of Wake County officials visited a couple of months ago to get an up-close look and said they learned a lot.

"We're just at the beginning phases," said Nicole Kreiser with Wake County. "We're going to see a transformation of our county with all the transit we're implementing in our time frame."

The time frame is 10 years, but officials said the full Bus Rapid Transit system could be running within five years. A countywide commuter rail system would take longer.

The Regional Transportation Alliance's Joe Milazzo says the investment will make it easier to attract business.

"People see that. They know we're taking our future seriously, and it stands out," he said.

Wake County officials say they want comments from the public about the next steps in the transit plan. Residents can comment through March 12.