Bus Rapid Transit Project Holding Public Input Sessions

Chapel Hill Transit is holding public input sessions over the next few days to get feedback on the progress of their bus rapid transit project.

From Friday, July 12 through Monday, July 15, Chapel Hill residents can learn more about the town’s North-South Bus Rapid Transit project, or NS-BRT. A group of developers, community advisory boards, and Chapel Hill Town Council members will host four charrettes over the weekend to hear public input and provide updated information on the bus line.

Orange County Commissioner Penny Rich spoke with WCHL’s Aaron Keck about the project, saying she hopes the community takes advantage of the chance to share their thoughts.

“Everyone that’s interested, everyone who rides the bus, everyone who’s never ridden the bus but is thinking of starting, you should all go and get some input in,” Rich said.

The NS-BRT is a proposed bus system along the 8.2 mile stretch from Eubanks Road to Southern Village. It would have its own dedicated bus lanes and a traffic light priority to provide efficient trips to riders. The streamlined service would complement the rest of Chapel Hill Transit’s bus fleet by providing faster service with upgraded features, like internet access and improved bus stations.

Rich said she understands the difficulty of creating this bus rapid transit around UNC’s campus, but expects it to fit in with the trajectory of the region’s transit.

“My biggest concern is that it doesn’t become just an express bus,” said Rich. “I want to make sure we’re being mindful and keep it a real bus rapid transit. Give it a dedicated lane, let it move people that way it’s supposed to move people, and let it become part of a comprehensive plan.”

The NS-BRT charrettes will be held at the Chapel Hill Council Chambers and the Franklin Hotel. While the project is not expected to be complete until 2022, the next phase after the community sessions is incorporating the public’s input into their design.

For the full schedule of charrettes, visit the Town of Chapel Hill’s website.