JUNE 29, 2021 -- The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the availability and affordability of childcare, eldercare and other essential services, making it challenging for many community members to return to work and worsening a shortage of available GoDurham bus operators.
Because of the shortage, GoDurham will temporarily reduce service beginning Saturday, July 10. As described below, certain routes are suspended and alternatives are available. In addition, routes with service every half hour change to hourly service Monday through Saturday until 7 p.m., changes to evening service become effective after 7 p.m. and service on routes with the highest number of passengers remains unchanged.
- Route 1: Daytime trip time changes; no service to Croasdaile Commons; evening service reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes.
- Route 2: Daytime trip time changes; departures from Durham Station at 6 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. trips will serve Miami Boulevard at Stirrup Creek (PBM Graphics).
- Routes 3, 3B, and 3C: No changes.
- Route 4: Evening service reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes.
- Route 5: Daytime service reduced from every 15 to every 30 minutes.
- Route 6: Daytime service reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes.
- Route 7: Daytime service reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes.
- Route 8: Daytime service reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes.
- Routes 9A, 9B, and 9: No changes.
- Routes 10 and 10B: Route 10B is suspended; Route 10 serves James Street and Nation Avenue at all times.
- Routes 11 and 11B: Daytime service on each route reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes.
- Routes 12 and 12B: Route 12B is suspended; Route 12 serves Falls Pointe at all times. Customers traveling to the Regional Transit Center can use GoTriangle Route 700 from Durham Station or Route 800 from Southpoint. Use GoTriangle RTP Connect to get to destinations along NC 54 between NC 55 and RTC (call 919-485-RIDE for more details).
- Route 20: Suspended until further notice. Service on University Drive is available on Route 10 and GoTriangle Route 400 during peak hours. Service to Duke University, Duke/VA Hospitals is available on Routes 6, 11 and 11B.
GoDurham’s Sunday service is not affected. For more information about new route schedules, please visit godurhamtransit.org/service-changes.
“GoDurham is an essential service for our community, and service reductions represent a hardship for our riders,” says Sean Egan, director of Transportation for the City of Durham. “Better pay, recruitment and training are critical to quickly restoring the service our residents rely on for nearly 14,000 trips each day.”
In recognition of the dedication of current staff members and the needs of potential candidates for bus operator positions, GoDurham is taking steps to provide additional compensation to attract and retain the professionals needed to serve the Durham community:
- $2,500 retention bonus for new employees who complete 90% of scheduled hours during their first year.
- 4% pay increase effective July 1.
- Premium pay for essential frontline workers consistent with the principles of the City of Durham budget approved June 21.
- Job fairs held in Durham on June 15 and in Greensboro on June 26.
- GoDurham job advertisements on Indeed, Craigslist, Facebook, Monster and several other sites.
- Radio advertising soundbites and a recruitment video available online.
- Partnership with Durham Tech to provide essential skills for individuals new to the transit industry.
Interested in becoming a bus operator? Having a Commercial Driver’s License is not required to apply, but those offered employment will need to have a CDL Permit with a Passenger Endorsement before starting training. GoDurham then will help them get a CDL.
Learn more and apply at godurhamtransit.org/careers.