GoDurham's Short Range Plan
GoDurham’s Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP), the plan that guides service and operations for the next five to ten years, was adopted by the Durham City Council in June 2019. It identifies a list of transportation-related issues and proposes service improvements. Other transit planning analyses, such as the GoDurham Transit Planning and Operations Analysis (POA), may also indicate service changes.
Microtransit Planning Study
The Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) identified six potential on-demand zones on the periphery of the city where fixed-route ridership and residential density are low, but mobility needs of the community remain high. The purpose of the Microtransit Planning Study is to investigate service scenarios and provide recommendations for three of these zones, listed below:
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Zone 1: East Durham – east of the Village Shopping Center
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Zone 2: Sparger Road – west of Cole Mill Road serving Neal Road, Sparger Road, and Operations Drive
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Zone 3: North Durham – north of Horton Road
The final report was drafted in June 2020 and has been finalized. To view it, CLICK HERE
SRTP Service Proposal
Survey responses, feedback from riders, ridership and on-time performance data have helped shape the service proposal outlined below.
The Short Range Transit Plan:
- Improves reliability on many routes which run consistently late
- Extends the high frequency service network, offering 15 minutes service to the Streets at Southpoint, the Duke/VA Hospital and E. Main Street and Alston Avenue.
- Simplifies many GoDurham routes which have route variations
- Adds 30 minute frequency to some Sunday and weekday evening services, and
- Provides more direct connections to major destination (e.g. East Durham to RTP, Southpoint and Brier Creek)
The Durham City Council is currently considering approval of this plan which will provide:
- 9.3 more miles of frequent service (15 minute frequency or better)
- 12,700 more residents and jobs access (within a quarter-mile) to frequent service, and
- 16,000 additional residents and jobs will exist with access (within a quarter-mile) to 30 minute frequency or better.
GoDurham receives funding from a number of sources, including:
- City of Durham funds (City Budget)
- Triangle Transit Tax District funds (half-cent sales tax, vehicle registration fees and rental car tax voter-approved in 2011 and implemented in 2013)
- North Carolina Department of Transportation funds
- Federal Transit Administration funds
- Fares from riders, and
- other sources, including revenue from advertising
Cuts to federal and state funding over the past few years mean, as part of the development of this plan, GoDurham has had to depend more on other revenue sources and look for places to find savings. Several changes are proposed to be made so the GoDurham can make the improvements outlined above.
Bull City Connector
In the plan, resources used for the BCC have been reallocated to enable system-wide improvements.
- The vast majority of the BCC's service area will be maintained
- There will be a public schedule which provides frequent (15-minute) services from East Main Street to the Duke/VA Medical Centers
- Service will connect at Durham Station allowing transfers to other routes
Other Potential Changes
Other changes to service are being considered. Stay tuned to this webpage or the Durham City Council agenda to stay informed.
View maps of the proposed service changes:
(Current System Map)
Future Changes
GoDurham has also looked at service proposals which we would like to implement, but currently do not currently have the financial resources to implement. These proposals include:
- more frequent service
- service operating later on nights and weekends
- more direct services
- on-demand zones, and
- additional transit amenities
Presentation at City Council Budget Retreat Session
Click the image below to view the presentation given to the Durham City Council on Friday, March 8, 2019.
