News

Here is a brief weekly update from the RTA business coalition — the voice of the regional business community on transportation.

I-40 Transit Priority Shoulder – bringing the region together, faster
RTA is focused on advancing a transit priority shoulder (TPS) pilot for I-40, which would speed up regional transit, quickly and reliably — in particular between the Chapel Hill area and the rest of the Triangle region. The initiative is a natural complement to the just-completed Freeway And Street-based Transit (FAST) study as well as ongoing commuter rail efforts. Thank you to our colleagues at The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro for elevating the opportunity.  RTA will continue to work with our private and public sector partners on the potential for rapid implementation of a TPS pilot along I-40 in southern Durham County towards Chapel Hill.
                                                                            
RDU launches real-time COVID travel information tool
RDU Airport is making it easier to find coronavirus-related travel information with a new interactive online webpage. The RDU “Travel Requirements” tool offers a centralized location for health and safety information, such as testing requirements and local regulations, for the state or country you are planning to visit. Kudos to our RDU partners for continuously working to improve the air travel experience! And, don’t forget to visit the  “Fly Confident” page for the latest health and safety measures at RDU.

RTA requests Wake Transit budget allocation for possible zero fare pilot
As we noted in last week’s member briefing, RTA continues to support and promote the potential of a future zero fare weekends pilot for our region. This week, RTA was joined by the ACLU in requesting a budgetary allocation of funds in the draft FY 2022 Wake Transit work plan to support a possible zero fare weekends pilot later this year or in early 2022. We also submitted written comments this week in support of a budget allocation for a possible future pilot. Chapel Hill Transit has been zero fare for everyone for nearly 20 years. We believe that a “zero fare weekends for everyone” pilot for one or more additional transit agency partners would dramatically increase accessibility, accelerate recovery, and establish our region as a national leader in advancing equity and economic mobility.

RTA combines a regional business perspective with a transportation focus to accelerate results — thank you for your membership!

Let’s get moving,

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director