Last week’s City Council meeting (watch on YouTube here) featured an important update on downtown Raleigh, covering public safety and ongoing improvements to our public spaces. The primary focus was on Fayetteville Street and security enhancements at GoRaleigh Station. There were some great takeaways, and overall, things seem to be moving in a positive direction.
What’s Been Done or Coming Soon
Downtown Businesses Holding Strong – Contrary to some concerns, (and TV news) more businesses are opening than closing. Get out there and support them.
Fayetteville Street Tree Lighting – Expect some fresh ambiance in May/June when new lighting is installed on the trees along Fayetteville Street.
City Plaza Enhancements – New shade structures, planter boxes, and “lookout” tables, all aimed at making the area more inviting, are coming this Summer.
GoRaleigh Station Security Upgrades – The city has hired its first-ever safety director to oversee security at the transit hub.
Crime Trends – Violent crime in downtown is down 3%, while property crime has seen a significant 29% decrease.
More Active Patrols – Expect to see increased foot and e-bike patrols to improve visibility and safety. Also, Raleigh’s ACORNS unit is fully staffed.
On the Glenwood South front, Raleigh Police Department (RPD) is satisfied with its current strategy, and we’ve shifted from focusing on violent crime to managing noise issues. That, in itself, is a positive sign.
Looking further ahead, the Fayetteville Street Streetscape Plan is expected to be officially adopted by Winter 2026. What does that mean? I take it to mean that the plan is agreed upon and when looking into my crystal ball, I hope the following takes place:
Winter 2026: Plan adoption and cost estimation
Spring 2026: Budgeting process begins
Summer/Fall 2026: Procurement and request process
Beyond that: Implementation—hopefully aligning with the opening of major downtown developments like the Omni Hotel, Convention Center Expansion, and Red Hat renovations.
This week, we have a not so great photo of the new sign on the Union Station Transit Facility. I thought this would be significant as we are months away from the station opening. The area looks very unfinished and future development is still to come to the area.
Have you ridden any GoRaleigh buses lately? It’s been about six months or so since fares have returned and at the same time, the number of ways to plan your trips and pay for your fare have increased. All those options are meant to help you, not confuse you, and so with lots of options out there, I wanted to take a second and get a list going of all the tech available for connoisseurs to get around Raleigh stress-free and fully informed.
“Impress your coworkers with live bus tacking, right on your phone!” is something we can say here in the year 2025. (and years past but it’s worth mentioning all the time really) Let me start out with the “Just do this” portion and then we’ll dive into the list.
Best Ways To Do GoRaleigh
2 Apps, 1 website.
Pay for your fare with Umo – Install the app on your phone
Plan your trip/Track your bus with Transit – Install the app on your phone
And now more on everything that’s out there for you to create your own Raleigh Mobility Kit.
GoRaleigh.org: Your Central Hub
The official GoRaleigh website is your go-to resource for all things transit-related. Here, you can sign up for service alerts to stay informed about any changes or updates to your usual routes. The site offers comprehensive maps and schedules, ensuring you have the latest information at your fingertips. Additionally, it’s the place to catch up on the latest news and developments within the GoRaleigh system. Whether you’re a daily commuter or an occasional rider, GoRaleigh.org keeps you connected and informed.
GoRaleighlive.org: Real-Time Tracking Without the Hassle
For those who prefer not to download additional apps, GoRaleighlive.org is for you. This dedicated website provides live bus tracking and route planning directly from your desktop or mobile browser. Its user-friendly interface ensures you can quickly see where your bus is in real-time, helping you plan your journey with precision. No installations, no updates—just straightforward, reliable information when you need it.
Stay Connected Through Social Media
GoRaleigh maintains an active presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). By following their accounts, you can receive timely updates, service alerts, and even engage with the community. It’s a convenient way to stay in the loop and connect with fellow riders, sharing experiences and tips.
Google Maps and Apple Maps: Integrated Route Planning
Both Google Maps and Apple Maps have integrated GoRaleigh’s transit data, allowing for efficient route planning. Simply input your destination, and these apps will provide detailed directions, including which bus to take, transfer points, and estimated travel times. This integration ensures that even if you’re new to the city or the transit system, you can navigate with confidence using tools you likely already use.
Umo App: All-in-One Travel Companion
The Umo app, available for both Android and iOS, is designed to streamline your transit experience. With Umo, you can plan trips, track buses in real-time, and pay your fare—all within a single app. The digital ticketing system is particularly convenient, allowing for quick and contactless payments. However, and it certainly could just be me, but my experience is inconsistent with the live bus tracking feature. Despite this, its comprehensive functionalities make it a valuable tool for regular commuters.
Transit App: A Robust Alternative
If you’re exploring alternatives, the Transit app offers robust route planning and real-time tracking features. Its intuitive design makes it easy to see upcoming departures and find the best routes. While it doesn’t currently support fare payments, its reliability in providing transit information has made it a favorite among many users. Plus, Raleigh is on the list of Transit Royale cities which makes the experience even better.
MicroLink: On-Demand Microtransit Service
GoRaleigh’s MicroLink service introduces flexibility to public transit with its on-demand microtransit options. Using the dedicated MicroLink app, you can request rides that connect you to the broader GoRaleigh network, making it easier to reach areas not serviced by regular bus routes. This service is especially beneficial for those in suburban areas or for trips during off-peak hours.
Text Messaging Service: Quick Arrival Updates
For quick updates without accessing the internet, GoRaleigh offers a convenient text messaging service. By texting “Raleigh” followed by your bus stop number to 41411 (e.g., “Raleigh 8182”), you’ll receive estimated arrival times for buses at that stop. This feature is perfect for those moments when you’re on the go and need immediate information.
Open Data Portal: Empowering Developers and Enthusiasts
Raleigh’s commitment to transparency is evident through its Open Data Portal. This platform provides access to a wealth of transit-related data, including routes and bus stop locations. Developers can utilize this information to create innovative applications, while data enthusiasts can delve into transit patterns and performance metrics. It’s a valuable resource for anyone interested in the technical aspects of our city’s transit system.
That list should cover it all and we certainly may see some new ones in the future. The options are certainly welcome but I do wonder if the plethora of options may inadvertently confuse people. There’s also an accessibility angle here that I’m not well versed in yet to know if these technologies are helping or not. Either way, it seems like options are good and I hope riders are using these options to keep them more informed.
Here’s a nice perspective I captured showing the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility, or RUS Bus, that’s been under construction for the better part of this year. It’s not that clear from the street but from a higher vantage point, you can see the orientation of the bus station and the future location of high-rise developments. The bus station is planned to be in operation in 2025 but the site is nowhere close to being complete.
A new bus route, the #9 Hillsborough, started service in September of this year, offering 15-minute frequency between downtown and NC State seven days a week. This got me thinking about other bus routes that operate every 15 minutes—our definition of “high frequency” here in Raleigh.
I’m guessing you probably didn’t hear about this new route as you don’t use GoRaleigh. I feel confident with the claim as it’s estimated that only 2% of the Raleigh population uses the GoRaleigh bus system. (I may be off by a few percentage points but the point is, it’s pretty low) However, as Bus Rapid Transit grabs headlines these days, it’s the small details that are going unnoticed and there’s a case to reconsider GoRaleigh as part of your mobility toolkit.
Rezoning case Z-92-22, or better The New Bern Avenue Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) case, is now in the books. Or “on the map” as I prefer to see these things. The final votes took place in July and I wanted to kind of wrap up these changes as the city council has been working it since January of this year. Above is a screen grab from iMaps where you can see the applied TOD zoning in East Raleigh.
Embedded above (direct link here) is the video from the June 4, 2024 Raleigh City Council meeting where the latest updates and discussion took place related to the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) rezoning case for the New Bern Avenue corridor. We’ve been following this for awhile now and the rezoning case here, which sets to change the zoning for over 700 properties on or near the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit line for New Bern Avenue, is being worked on in phases. I wanted to share my notes and provide a summary of the latest.
Feel free to dive right into the video above, as it opens with a nice summary, and check out these resources on the city’s website:
Remember the R-Line? If not, you can refresh your memory now as we have the fare-free circulator service back up and running. The service was put on hold when the COVID pandemic began in early 2020. Long time residents may remember the old route as being a loop around downtown but it’s worth mentioning that it’s actually a bit different now.
