Ways to get around the Triangle if you give up the car keys

As you enter your golden years, you may choose to retire, downsize, or travel. You might also reconsider the way you get around town for day-to-day activities.

After all, perhaps you’re tired of the expense and upkeep of a vehicle, or maybe you want to live close to the amenities you need. You also may develop health concerns that prevent you from driving safely. In fact, you and your loved ones can watch for warning signs that it is unsafe to continue driving, according to AARP:

• You become easily distracted while driving.
• You have a delayed response to unexpected situations.
• You hit curbs when turning or backing up.
• You have frequent close calls.
• You drive too slow or too fast for road conditions.
• You dent the car or mailbox.
• You have difficulty staying in the correct lane of traffic.
• You have decreased confidence in your driving skills.

Fortunately, living in the Research Triangle, named for its proximity to three major research universities, you have a variety of transportation options. Here are the best ways to get around the Triangle without your own vehicle.

Use ride share apps

Ride share apps like Uber and Lyft offer the convenience of calling a car to your home to deliver you exactly where you want to go without having to worry about driving or parking. You need to download and put your information into a ride share app only once, after which calling for a ride and paying is a simple process.

Join a carpool

If you have a regular schedule of going between home and another location, like the gym, a job, or a relative’s house, joining a carpool can be an inexpensive way to get around. Share the Ride NC is a statewide website that helps you form carpools.

One review from a user talked about commuting to and from work with their husband for four years.

“We started to carpool to cut the cost of our monthly parking permits, but now we like the fact that it helps us save with the rising cost of gas prices and wear and tear of our vehicle,” the user writes. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to in the morning on our way to work.”

You can also arrange a carpool on your own if you have co-workers, neighbors, or friends going to the same place.

Ride public transportation

The Triangle offers inexpensive local transportation options. In Raleigh, for instance, the R-Line is a free bus that is restarting service in July. It connects riders to museums, entertainment venues, retail, hotels, and more. Buses will circulate every 15 minutes, so you’ll never have to wait long.

NC State University’s Wolfline Transit System is another free option. The bus service runs every day school is in session, serving all three campuses, three park & ride lots, and residential areas between.

Another public transportation option is the Triangle bus system, which offers a website trip planner to help you map your route. GoTriangle ACCESS offers curb-to-curb paratransit service for eligible riders in Wake, Durham, and Orange counties. Access is wheelchair-accessible and costs $4.50 per trip.

“GoTriangle improves our region’s quality of life by connecting people and places through safe, reliable and easy-to-use travel choices,” according to the GoTriangle website.

Wherever you want to go in the Triangle, you can find transportation to get you there.