5 Freight, Rail + Transit Element
Transit Most people acknowledge that they would use transit if service was fast, frequent, dependable, and easy to use. Like a complete system of roads, sidewalks, and bikeways, transit must provide connections to the places people need or want to go at a time when they need to get there. As shown in Chapter 2, Fuquay-Varina’s only transit route is the GoRaleigh FRX, an express route that connects to downtown Raleigh. Transit stops are located at Wake Tech South Campus and South Park. Regional Recommendations
Transit Alternatives The Town recently leveraged funding available through the Wake Transit Community Funding Area Program to study local and regional transit alternatives. The study considered six (6) circulator service alternatives and three (3) express service alternatives. Each of the alternatives were screened based on their ability to:
• Improve mobility options for all; • Make transit convenient; and • Support growth and development
Ultimately, a fixed-route circulator service and an express service between Fuquay-Varina and the Town of Holly Springs were identified as the most likely alternatives to address the criteria outlined above. Additionally, the study recommended the continuation of the FRX express route. The potential service alternatives are shown on the following page. At this time, the Town will not be moving forward with the immediate implementation of the service alternatives, as additional work is needed to identify potential funding streams and partnerships for operation.
Since the passage of the Wake County Transit Plan and associated sales tax increase in 2016, many studies and projects are underway to expand transit service and access across the county. Two particular regional initiatives include recommendations directly relevant to the Town of Fuquay-Varina. • Freeway and Street-based Transit (FAST) Network Study and Implementation Playbook: This study, commissioned by the Regional Transportation Alliance, in partnership with GoTriangle and NCDOT, identified priority corridors for the implementation of transit advantage opportunities. These opportunities include features such as Bus On Shoulder System (BOSS) expansion, priority lanes for transit, and other technology solutions such as transit signal priority (TSP). Currently NC 540 is identified as a 10+ Year Fast Freeway. • The Bus On Shoulder System (BOSS) Implementation Blueprint: The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization partnered with several regional agencies to study and identify high priority corridors for the expansion of BOSS. The NC 55 Highway corridor between Holly Springs and Downtown Fuquay-Varina, as well as US 401 between Downtown Raleigh and NC 540, were identified in the second-tier BOSS expansion that aims to expand operations and connect suburban markets to major activity centers.
Figure 26. Potential Transit Alternatives Map
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Town of Fuquay-Varina
2040 Comprehensive Transportation Plan
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