DURHAM, N.C. — A man who depends on bus service to get to his job every day said more frequent service is his biggest need.
What You Need To Know
The city of Durham is asking for public input on three proposed transit plans
The final proposal likely will combine elements of each option
Residents have until August 20 to fill out the online survey
The project would cost about $500 million over 20 years
Isaac Woolsey said he has high-functioning autism and night blindness, so he can't drive. He lives in Chapel Hill and his job is in Durham, so he said his only option is to take the bus every day. This requires him to take three buses from three different bus services: Chapel Hill Transit first, then a GoTriangle route from Chapel Hill into Durham and finally a GoDurham bus to his final destination. The commute, which would take about 30 minutes by car, takes him anywhere from one to two hours.
“You never know when you get (to the bus stop),” he said. “Especially on the weekends, it's really, really hard to get here because of the delayed schedules.”
Woolsey said his GoDurham bus usually is the biggest variable. Even if the bus is waiting for him at The Streets at Southpoint mall, he said it sometimes sits and waits for 15 to 20 minutes before setting off on its route. A GoDurham spokesperson said buses will do that at some stops to ensure they don't leave before their appointed time and leave people stranded.
Durham officials are developing their new transit plan. As part of it, they are asking the public to weigh in on three proposed transit system changes.
Option A would increase the number of routes where buses run every 15 or 30 minutes. Option B would have fewer such routes but add a bus rapid transit corridor, while Option C would incorporate light rail service. The final transit plan will direct how the city will spend about $500 million from its public transit sales tax revenue over the next 20 years.
Woolsey said more frequent stops would ensure he and workers like him can get to their jobs on time. He said he'd also like to see better-connected bus routes throughout the Triangle.
“If I could just get on one or two buses and get to work, that would be great,” he said. “It is what it is, but I do think we need more buses. More stops and less delay times between each stop.”
Members of the public have until August 20 to take the survey. Durham officials said once they come up with a final proposal, they will make it available for additional public comment. Planners said the final version likely will incorporate elements from more than one of the proposals currently up for review.