News

RTA and partners launch BRT across the Triangle at RTA breakfast

The RTA Transportation Breakfast 2023 was an outstanding success, as more than 200 attendees enjoyed remarks from more than 20 presenters and panelists, including elected officials from five counties, transportation partners, and business leaders. If you missed the event or would like to relive it, you can view our photo gallery.

Some remarks from our various panelists about the importance and opportunity of BRT tell the story:

• “Johnston County is ready to get moving on BRT, and get moving ‘FAST’ .” – Butch Lawter, chair, Johnston County Board of Commissioners.
• “BRT is good for RDU.” – Bill Sandifer, EVP and chief development officer, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
• “What can I say about BRT? It is so simple. This is how we bring our region together.” – Mary-Ann Baldwin, mayor, City of Raleigh
• “We’re looking forward to BRT connecting our region as one.” – Harold Weinbrecht, mayor, Town of Cary
• “I’m excited about the future of BRT in our area. It’s going to enhance our mobility options, and connect people with the places they want to go.” – Brandon Jones, division 5 engineer, NCDOT
• “We are honored and very excited about the new bus rapid transit program along the New Bern Avenue corridor and what it’s going to mean for our patients, our team, and all of Wake County.” – Dr. Donald Ginzig, president and CEO, WakeMed Health & Hospitals
• “All of us at UNC are excited about the new north-south BRT route. It’s going to be a game-changer for our commuting students, faculty and staff. Let’s go Heels and let’s get moving” – Dr. Gordon Merklein, associate vice chancellor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• “Bus rapid transit is important to Durham County residents because they want fast, reliable bus service.” – Ellen Beckmann, transportation director, Durham County
• “The key to the system is the interconnectivity of these modes, to destinations such as the airport, which will continue to make us the best place to live in America.” – Sig Hutchinson, chair, GoTriangle board of trustees
• “As Chatham continues to grow, regional transportation planning is critical, in ensuring we remain a great place to live, work and get around. We’re grateful for the work of the RTA and all of the regional partners, and we are looking forward to what’s next. Let’s get moving.” – Mike Dasher, vice chair, Chatham County board of commissioners
• “I am excited about the possibilities that BRT will bring to connect all of the communities in the Triangle.” – Vivian Jones, mayor of Wake Forest and chair, Capital Area MPO
• “I am excited about bus rapid transit, because connectivity connects us to a quality of life.” – Leonardo Williams, member, Durham city council
• “I am really excited about what bus rapid transit can do for our region, as well as meeting many of our local needs.” – Michael Parker, member, Chapel Hill town council
• “BRT is the way for the Triangle to go. It’s affordable, it’s implementable, and it will get people where they need to be.” – Scott Levitan, president and CEO, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
• “(The Orange County Transit Plan) anticipates full, robust, regional buildout in future years.” – Sally Greene, member, Orange County board of commissioners
• “At NC State we are thrilled to work with the City of Raleigh to develop BRT in the region. Our campus’ future depends on it.” – Than Austin, director of transportation, NC State University
• “I’m really excited about bus rapid transit and other modes of transportation that will be coming to our community that will relieve our residents’ dependence on an automobile and help our folks get more efficiently to all the places they need to go.” – Susan Evans, vice chair, Wake County board of commissioners
• “We know that a strong BRT network can generate economic development, help attract jobs, and promote expansion of both retail and affordable housing.” – Jay Irby, Triangle area executive, First Citizens Bank and chair, RTA

The regional business community was excited to launch BRT across the Triangle with our partners — and we were also pleased to launch the new Freeway, Arterial, Street, and Tactical (FAST) transit study that will interconnect BRT across the region and link with RDU Airport. Thank you to NCDOT and many transit partners for supporting the FAST study; we will have more to come in the months ahead.

Let’s get moving!

Joe Milazzo II, PE
RTA Executive Director

Click here for prior RTA Member Briefings and RTA Blogs.