Durham County is on the move, setting its sights on an ambitious Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Vision Plan that's all about making getting around town faster and more convenient for everyone. The county has been poring over a 30-year roadmap to elevate its public transportation via BRT – a kind of high-speed, fancy bus service that promises reliable and frequent travel for those who rely on public transit.
Revenue from the local sales tax that's earmarked for public transportation will fuel this vision, making sure that change isn't just a pipe dream. According to the Durham County Transportation Department, they're not just plotting routes on a map in some back office; they're rolling out the welcome mat for residents to pitch in with their two cents. A call for community feedback is open, and the department's plan includes a lineup of virtual and face-to-face events scheduled for the tail-end of October and early November. Individuals keen on contributing can find the project survey and event details on the project’s website.
For those new to the BRT beat, imagine your regular bus line souped-up with dedicated lanes, more buses zipping around, smart traffic lights that favor buses, and places to wait that won't leave you drenched during downpours or melting in the summer heat. The Durham BRT Vision Plan will take a hard look at which corridors are ripe for this high-level service and what upgrades can make a concrete difference in terms of speed and reliability.
In a statement obtained by the Durham County Transportation Department, Transportation Director Ellen Beckmann articulated the priorities laid out by both residents and local leaders, saying, "Residents and our governing boards requested that we prioritize quick and reliable bus service during the development of the 2023 Durham Transit Plan." She emphasized that the Vision Plan will pinpoint specific projects and corridors to further with local sales tax revenue.
This isn't a solitary endeavor – Durham County is working hand in hand with several heavyweight regional players, including the City of Durham, GoTriangle, the Triangle West Planning Organization (TWPO), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), to make sure that their BRT vision aligns nicely with broader transportation goals. The City of Durham has its own Central Durham BRT project on the go, and details about their advances can be checked out on the City of Durham’s website.
