What is a Transit Plan?

A Transit Plan determines how public transportation funds will be managed and spent. It also determines which proposed projects and improvements will be approved by the governing bodies. The Durham Transit Plan will decide how we want to invest in, expand, and prioritize public transportation over the next 20 years.

The Durham Transit Plan team consists of representatives from Durham County and City of Durham governments, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO), Triangle J Council of Governments, and GoTriangle.

Reasons for the Update

In 2011, Durham County voters approved a half-cent sales tax to fund public transportation improvements in Durham and the Triangle region. With the discontinuation of the Durham-Orange Light Rail project in 2019, a plan update is required to use funds that would have been spent on the light rail project. This update continues the transit improvements that are already in place from the 2017 Transit Plan, and adds new priorities like additional local and regional bus improvements, bus stop improvements, as well as funding for high-speed regional connections.

What goes into the plan?

Existing Conditions – Existing conditions considers the current transportation system as well as demographic and land use trends.

Data Analysis – Analysis of existing transit routes helps to identify limitations of the current public transportation system.

Public Input – Public input will be incorporated throughout the planning process.

Goals and Objectives – Through public input, the planning team created goals and objectives to help inform performance measures and plan recommendations.

Recommended Scenario – Based on public input and data analysis, and following the goals and objectives of the plan, a recommended scenario was created to best fit the needs of Durham residents, workers, and visitors. The recommended final plan is now out for public comment through January 13, 2023. The final scenario will be brought to the three plan partners for adoption:

  • Durham County Board of Commissioners
  • Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) Board
  • GoTriangle Board of Trustees