Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Recognized for its leadership in rider-facing transit technology, and “having an incredibly positive and widespread impact on the way people think about and use public transit...” according to an FTA official. TransLoc powers N.C.-based Triangle Transit’s live bus tracking system, GoLive.

The agency started with 35 staffers. Today, it takes 191 full- and part-time employees to help operate regional bus, vanpool, paratransit, planning, customer service, marketing, public affairs and sustainable transportation services. Ridership for the first year averaged 500 daily compared with 7,000 daily last month.

At a meeting held by Triangle Transit to talk about the future of affordable housing along a planned rail corridor, presenters said light rail projects around the country have shown it is important to start early to procure affordable housing nearby.

Proposed Durham/Orange Light Rail Transit Project named one of the best transportation projects in the U.S. in the organization’s national report, “Smart Choices, Less Traffic: 50 Best and Worst Transportation Projects in the United States.”

Will take over operation of an express bus service that provides transportation between Duke and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in early 2013.

New program to allow buses to travel on the shoulders of selected highways in times of heavy traffic congestion to help maintain transit schedules and bypass problem areas. They would only be allowed to use the shoulders when travel speed in the highway lanes fell below 35 miles per hour.

The decision comes just under a year after Durham called the Triangle’s first transit referendum, approving its own half-percent sales tax surcharge with a 60% majority. Durham County is waiting to impose the tax until after similar measures are approved in both Orange and Wake counties.

Would include increased bus services, improvements for existing bus stops, a rail station, and light rail plans between the university and Durham. It would be partially funded by a half-cent sales tax.

This system will allow for the seamless planning of trips using public transportation in the Triangle region. Riders will have a real-time view of buses in route on a detailed online map.

The new service represents part of a continuing campaign to bring technological advances to current riders, potential riders and public transit.