WAKE TRANSIT HELPS COMMUNITIES GO FORWARD…

What is the Purpose of the Wake Transit Blog?
The Wake Transit Blog is an online resource developed to connect communities with accurate and timely information about the Wake Transit Plan and the Go Forward program, which promotes the Wake County, Durham County, and Orange County transit plans. Wake County residents, riders, community leaders, and other stakeholders can find the latest updates, as well as links to vital online resources, social media channels, and in-person activity calendars by visiting waketransit.org and goforwardnc.org on a regular basis. While viewing the Go Forward website, community members should make sure they stay in the know by signing up for email updates. 

The information posted on the blog will help keep transit community members up to speed with current and future plans for service improvements and capital investments, as well as time-sensitive opportunities to provide their input into the process. These efforts are designed with one purpose in mind: to improve public transportation systems and services in ways that help develop thriving communities and better futures for all residents of Wake County and the Greater Triangle Region.

The Wake Transit Plan’s vision is focused on delivering more frequent and reliable mobility and service options that make it more convenient for community members to access centers of employment, education, commerce, healthcare, entertainment, and recreation. The purpose of the Wake Transit Blog is to support this vision by keeping residents and stakeholders informed about our community investment in transit.

What is the Wake Transit Plan?
The Wake Transit Plan is a funding and investment program designed to implement the goals that guide the improvement and expansion of public transportation in Wake County. Funding for the Wake Transit Plan is made possible through portions of vehicle registration fees, federal and state contributions, local revenues that fund transit services, and fares paid by transit customers during times they are collected. In addition, Wake County voters approved a half-cent sales tax in 2016 that is dedicated to investments in public transit. The investment of Wake Transit Plan funds are guided by the Four Big Moves:

1. Connect Regionally
2. Connect All Wake County Communities
3. Invest in Frequent, Reliable Urban Mobility
4. Enhance Access to Transit

To accomplish the Wake Transit Plan’s Four Big Moves, GoTriangle and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) were assigned to work as lead agencies. The Wake Transit Vision Plan is the foundational document for the entire program. It is developed by the two lead agencies with extensive participation from Wake Transit Plan partners, members of the community, and key stakeholders. The Wake Transit Vision Plan sets system goals and investment priorities for enhancing the transit system in Wake County over a 10-year period. To remain current, the Wake Transit Vision Plan is updated every four years. It currently extends through FY2030. The upcoming update will extend it through 2035.

An annual budget is adopted for each fiscal year to provide a yearly blueprint for service improvements and capital investments. The budget is known as the Wake Transit Work Plan. The annual Wake Transit Work Plan helps ensure the Wake Transit Vision Plan is effectively and efficiently implemented. The Wake Transit Plan’s annual budget, including revenue estimates and cost assumptions, is published in the annual Wake Transit Work Plan. The Wake Transit Work Plan is updated each fiscal year and requires public input and the ongoing involvement of key partners. In addition to GoTriangle and CAMPO, the Wake Transit Vision Plan and the Wake Transit Work Plan depend on input from county residents, community stakeholders, and the following partners:

• Wake County
• City of Raleigh
• Town of Cary
• Town of Apex
• Town of Fuquay-Varina
• Town of Garner
• Town of Holly Springs
• Town of Knightdale
• Town of Morrisville
• Town of Rolesville
• Town of Wake Forest
• Town of Wendell
• Town of Zebulon
• North Carolina State University
• Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina.

What is Go Forward?
Go Forward is the brand that promotes the regional investment in public transportation services and infrastructure investments made possible through the Wake County Transit Plan, Durham County Transit Plan, and Orange County Transit Plan. Voters in Durham County approved a half-cent sales tax to invest in transit improvements in 2011, followed by Orange County voters in 2012, and finally Wake County voters in 2016.

The Greater Triangle Region’s three counties are focus on the mission behind the Go Forward theme. Go Forward indicates the counties are going forward together. Their individual county transit plans are designed to work together and create a regional network that provides alternatives to driving on increasingly congested roads and opens up access to more jobs, education, and health care opportunities for everyone.

What is the Wake Transit Performance Tracker?
Curious about the overall progress of Wake Transit program and project initiatives? Wake Transit is committed to working toward improved and expanded public transportation options and opportunities. Check out the Wake Transit Performance Tracker for progress updates. https://waketransittracker.com/