WAKE FOREST PUBLIC TRANSIT PLAN
PURPOSE AND NEED FOR EXPANDED TRANSIT IN WAKE FOREST Although the Town of Wake Forest is currently served by transit services, rapid growth and development over the past decade require renewed understanding of how the transit services can be expanded to meet the current and future needs of the Town. Expanded transit service in the Town will provide an additional mobility option for residents, employees, and visitors to reach destinations inside and outside of the Town. Additional mobility options can support the Town’s ability to grow while lessening the impact of the growth on the existing roadway network. PREVIOUS PLANS AND STUDIES A review of previous plans and studies by the Town of Wake Forest, transit service providers, and regional partnering agencies provided insight into the purpose and need for expanding transit in the Town. The plans and studies summarized below have set the foundation from which the Transit Plan and the transit service alternatives considered are based. • The Town of Wake Forest Community Plan , adopted in April 2022, prioritizes transit as a key element of its long-term vision for the Town. It includes recommendations to nurture supportive urban development for transit, walking, and bicycling, with specific land use typologies and designated areas for Transit- Oriented Development. The Plan also proposes actions such as incorporating pedestrian/bicyclist/transit- oriented areas in shopping centers, expanding route networks, constructing smart bus shelters with interactive features, and exploring long-term transit options like fixed or microtransit. • The Town’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is a long-range multi-modal Plan that aims to develop a safe, efficient, and inclusive transportation system. With a low percentage of residents utilizing existing services, the Plan acknowledges the current barriers to transit use. To address these barriers, the CTP recommends implementing additional bus loops, developing interactive websites and real-time technology, incorporating public art and wayfinding at bus shelters, and exploring microtransit options. • The Northeast Community Plan , adopted in late 2021, focuses on improving transit options in the historically Black Northeast Community. The Plan acknowledges limited connectivity and the lack of transit frequency in the area. Recommendations include exploring new transit connections and routes to link the community to commercial and job centers, investigating innovative multimodal technologies like microtransit, and considering the viability of adding transit routes to points north of the community. • The Wake Bus Plan provides an overview of the recommended transit service and capital investments from FY2025 to FY2030 across Wake County. The Plan focuses on four big moves, including regional connections, frequent transit networks, and enhanced access to transit. The Plan proposes replacing Route 401X in the Town of Rolesville with a potential microtransit service, a new Route2L that connects the northern terminus of Route 2 to Wake Forest, and capital investment for the Wake Forest Park and Ride Lot.
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