RTA Member Briefing: January 17
- January 17, 2025
- Posted by: Joe Milazzo II
- Category: Member briefing
RTA Members,
January is moving along very quickly, and effectively. Our region received new transit wins in Wake, Orange, and Durham counties, while RDU put the finishing touches on a record-breaking 2024 at the airport.
RDU sets record in 2024
Two weeks ago, as part of our first weekly briefing of 2025, we highlighted the success at RDU last year over the past year. RDU released more specifics this week about their record-setting growth and impact in 2024, and that gives us an opportunity to shine another spotlight on our partners at the airport and the importance of our top strategic priority.
More than 15,000,000 passengers enjoyed the use of RDU International on their way to and from more than 70 nonstop destinations. A recent economic impact study by NCDOT noted that “RDU has an annual impact of $24.1 billion on the economy and supports 139,745 direct and indirect jobs. RDU also generates $9.8 billion in personal income and $1.3 billion in tax revenue for government agencies.”
RTA’s top strategic priority for 2025 remains focused on identifying a sustainable business model for RDU infrastructure.
The transit wins keep coming
This week we received good news about new federal funding for multiple transit initiatives, as well as a milestone for another transit project. These wins include a new train station in Wake Forest, as well as new funding and project milestones in Chapel Hill and Durham.
This region is in various stages of advancing 10 BRT corridors, and the regional business community is committed to supporting the rapid creation of a regional BRT network. You can read more about these wins in this week’s blog; in addition, we will highlight the opportunity these and other BRT corridors present our region — along with the sense of urgency to advance them — at next week’s RTA annual meeting.
Let’s get moving,
Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA executive director
