Transit News in Raleigh

Today Cricket Communications has sponsored a free fare day on Capital Area Transit and Durham Area Transit Authority buses. While the reality of the sponsorship is pandering burners to low income bus riders- its encouraging to see alternative transit being incorporated into local marketing efforts. 

With the completion of I-540 westward, NC will likely get its first toll road, in large part due to the lobbying force of the NC Turnpike Authority – a division of the NC Department of Transportation (NC DOT). It seems that the “good roads state” continues be committed to building new roads, even in the face of skyrocketing construction (click here and check out #4) and fuel costs (over $4/gallon).

Raleigh’s bus system is in many ways inadequate for its present and growing population. Along with an unreliable schedule, less than 10% of Raleigh bus stops have benches. The , along with Have a Seat NC, is hosting a design charrette to address this problem.

Raleigh isn’t the most bike friendly place but that has never stopped the area’s forward thinkers from using this alternative transit.  Any day of the week you will see dozens of cyclists around town sliding through traffic.  Thats why its so disturbing to hear news like what the N&O reported yesterday.  NC State student Brian Reid, just 21, hit and killed 60 year old Nancy Leidy who was cycling. 

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