Q&A on Transit

Q: What is the latest on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Raleigh, and how will it benefit the area?

Jane Harrison: The City of Raleigh broke ground on the New Bern Corridor last fall which will connect southeast Raleigh to downtown with dedicated bus lanes. These lanes will allow for frequent (every 15 minutes) and reliable service, featuring longer, articulated buses with ample space for bicycles and improved accessibility through elevated platforms. The streetscape will also be designed to be more walkable and bikeable. New Bern is the first of four BRT routes. After New Bern, we will extend BRT to South Saunders towards Garner, Western Boulevard & Buck Jones Rd towards Cary, and eventually north along Capital Boulevard. These projects will be game changers for connectivity, making it easier for residents to get to work, school, and other destinations, while improving the overall quality of life across Raleigh.

Q: With fares returning on GoRaleigh bus routes, how is the city ensuring that transit remains accessible?

Jane Harrison: While fares have returned, we’ve ensured that most people can still ride for free. About 70% of bus riders qualify for free passes—whether they’re under 18, over 65, income-eligible, or connected to our nonprofit partners. One of the primary reasons we brought back fares was to add a bit of friction and prevent folks from riding the bus who were only there to make trouble. Bus drivers were experiencing fights and other nuisance behavior, and now it’s much better. Charging fares helps ensure that people are genuinely using the service to get where they need to go, and it also contributes to keeping GoRaleigh financially healthy.

Q: How is the e-bike incentive program going, and what are some of the goals behind it?

Jane Harrison: The e-bike program launches on Monday, October 28, and we’re excited to offer $500 vouchers for Raleigh residents to purchase an electric bicycle. If you earn 80% of the area median income or lower, you can get a $1,500 voucher—potentially making the e-bike free! This program is all about making biking more accessible for everyone, especially in a city like Raleigh, where heat and hills can keep folks from biking. E-bikes make it easier to commute or run errands, allowing you to carry groceries, kids, or other loads. I ride an e-bike myself and can get everywhere I need to go in District D. Seriously!

Q: I saw you participated in the National Week without Driving. What was that like?

Jane Harrison: I found new routes by bike and bus that previously I would default to the car. It made me realize that with improved infrastructure for safety and comfort, a car isn’t needed for the distances I typically go. A positive was getting more exercise and time outdoors which put me in a good mood. The biggest downside was it took more time to reach my destinations. If you need to be somewhere at an exact hour, it is difficult to rely on the bus. I built in a lot of extra time in my commutes to ensure I got to appointments and work on time. Americans who can’t drive – approximately 1/3 of the population – face significant barriers to mobility like inadequate sidewalks, poor transit, lack of connectivity and dangerous roads. People without a car or unable to drive should be able to get to where they need to go safely and efficiently.

Q: What’s being done to expand bike lanes and greenways, and where does that fit into the city’s overall priorities?

Jane Harrison: We’re always expanding bike lanes and greenways. That’s a huge priority for me. I serve as liaison to the City’s bicycle and pedestrian advisory commission, and our staff is currently updating the city’s bike network plan, which will help us identify missing connections and set future priorities for expansion. A new project in District D will soon extend the Walnut Creek Greenway across Avent Ferry Road, connecting nearby apartment complexes. This crossing will make it much safer for people to access the Greenway without needing to cross busy traffic. One of the factors that drives bike lane and greenway improvements is equity—we focus on underserved areas and neighborhoods with vulnerable populations.

Q: As a member of City Council’s Transportation and Transit Committee, what are your top priorities for improving transit in Raleigh?

Jane Harrison: In the T&T committee, we deal with issues like traffic calming, road closures, and sidewalk gaps. Expanding sidewalks is a need across the City, especially in neighborhoods where sidewalks were never required in older developments. In the T&T committee, we often evaluate how rezoning cases and proposed developments consider traffic impacts and incorporate measures to slow vehicles down. Signals, traffic circles, pedestrian crossings, protected bike lanes, and wider sidewalks create safer streets for everyone.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges in connecting transit infrastructure across Raleigh?

Jane Harrison: One major challenge is safely connecting neighborhoods that are separated by large roads or highways. For example, areas like Renaissance Park and Carolina Pines need safer ways to cross I-40 to access greenways and other transit options. We should consider pedestrian overpasses and protected crossings to bridge these gaps. I expect a new transportation bond in 2026, and will advocate for these less connected neighborhoods.

Q: What are some quick improvements that could be made to the current bus system?

Jane Harrison: Increasing the frequency of bus routes is key—having buses that run every 15 minutes would make transit much more dependable. We also need more shelters at bus stops, which would make waiting for the bus more comfortable, especially in bad weather. And improving ADA accessibility is crucial, particularly for Paratransit services, which need to be reliable and user-friendly for those who depend on them.

Q: What’s your long-term vision for transit in Raleigh, and what does that look like in 10 to 20 years?

Jane Harrison: My long-term vision is to create safer and more accessible transportation for everyone, whether they walk, bike, take the bus, or drive. We need to build infrastructure that allows people to get around comfortably and confidently, regardless of their age or ability. Protected bike lanes, ample sidewalks with safe pedestrian crossings, and reliable transit are key. Ultimately, this multimodal approach will make Raleigh more livable, allowing people to get where they need to go without always relying on a car.