Inquiry: What is the estimated arrival time for the next bus on GoTriangle's busiest routes as they have reduced wait times?
Boosting Bus Ridership in the Research Triangle
The Research Triangle area is set to see a significant increase in public transit ridership, as bus systems GoTriangle, GoRaleigh, and GoDurham introduce 15-minute service on key routes. This change, set to take effect from August 4 for GoTriangle, aims to make bus travel more convenient, consistent, and attractive to riders.
For the first time, GoTriangle will offer 15-minute service on its busiest routes, including the 700 bus and the 100 bus. This follows in the footsteps of GoRaleigh, which already provides 15-minute service on at least 12 hours each weekday on nine routes, with Route 1 along Capital Boulevard being the first to adopt this frequency around 2010. GoDurham, too, has been offering 15-minute service since 2013, and currently has five high-frequency corridors radiating from Durham Station downtown.
The change from 30-minute to 15-minute wait times between buses has had a significant impact on GoRaleigh's ridership. After the change on Route 6 along Glenwood Avenue, ridership more than doubled to 47,286 in June 2025 compared to a year earlier. Similarly, GoDurham saw an increase in ridership after offering its first 15-minute route in 2013.
Improved reliability is a key benefit of 15-minute service. Missed transfers can be accommodated with another bus coming soon, making the service more predictable and less prone to delays. Riders will no longer need to be as mindful about the schedule as they do for buses that run every half hour or hour.
The goal of these changes is to make bus travel more convenient for current riders and more attractive for new riders. By reducing wait times and improving access to jobs, shopping, and educational destinations, the increased frequencies are expected to lead to a meaningful ridership increase and improved transit usability for a wider range of trips beyond traditional peak hours.
For more information about the changes to GoTriangle routes and times, visit gotriangle.org/service-changes.
- The finance industry might see increased investments in the transportation sector, given the significant growth of public-transit ridership in the Research Triangle, particularly with the improvemenmt of bus systems like GoTriangle, GoRaleigh, and GoDurham.
- As the Research Triangle's public-transit system evolves, with buses replacing rail service for some routes, it raises questions about the future role of rail in the region's transportation industry.
- One potential target demographic for increased bus ridership in the Research Triangle is students and staff connected to the education industry, given the easily accessible destinations like universities and colleges.
