GoDurham

The City of Durham assumed the operation of the local Duke Power bus system in January 1991, naming it Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA).{{Cite web |title=About & History|url=https://godurhamtransit.org/about |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=godurhamtransit.org}}{{Cite journal |date=1992-10-31 |title=The Carolina times. (Durham, N.C.) 1919-current, October 31, 1992, Image 18 |url=https://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn83045120/1992-10-31/ed-1/seq-18/ |issue=1992/10/31}}

• 1891–1902 – Durham Street Railway Co.
• 1902–1913 – Durham Traction Co.
• 1913–1921 – Durham Traction Co. (Cities Service Co.)
• 1921–1943 – Durham Public Service Co. (Cities Service Co.)
• 1930 – streetcars discontinued
• After 1943 – Duke Power Company

To benefit riders and to replace aging equipment, DATA purchased 31 new Gillig Low Floors in 2002. The first bus arrived on April 16, 2003. The next day on April 17, the bus ran in revenue service on Route 7. The first bus ran through all routes, fare-free. These buses included LED destination signs, longer 40-foot buses, and automated announcements.{{Cite web |date=2003-12-08 |title=Durham, NC - City of Medicine |url=http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/news/NewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID=442 |access-date=2023-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031208032829/http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/news/NewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID=442 |archive-date=2003-12-08 }}

In 2005, DATA collaborated and funded with Capital Area Transit (now GoRaleigh) and Triangle Transit Authority (now GoTriangle) to create a route connecting the DATA Downtown Terminal with the Brier Creek Shopping Center in Raleigh. The new route, designated 15, began in November 2005.{{Cite web |date=2006-06-24 |title=Durham, NC - City of Medicine |url=http://www.durhamnc.gov/news/NewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID=939 |access-date=2023-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624203625/http://www.durhamnc.gov/news/NewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID=939 |archive-date=2006-06-24 }}

The downtown terminal, located at Great Jones St and W Main St, was relocated to a new transportation center, named Durham Station. This also serves the GoTriangle and Greyhound Lines buses on February 22, 2009. It later served Megabus and FlixBus. The building was designed by the Freelon group.{{Cite web |date=2009-03-30 |title=Bull City Rising: Durham Station rolls out to DATA bus traffic for the first time |url=https://www.bullcityrising.com/2009/02/durham-station-rolls-out-to-data-bus-traffic-for-the-first-time.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330055611/https://www.bullcityrising.com/2009/02/durham-station-rolls-out-to-data-bus-traffic-for-the-first-time.html |archive-date=2009-03-30 }} Triangle Transit merged operations with DATA in 2010. As a result, Triangle Transit (now GoTriangle) handled management, planning, and marketing for the transit company. In 2011, DATA, along with GoTriangle began the Designing Better Bus Service project, a project offering the following improvements:

• Better on-time performance.
• Revamped routes, with new alignments and variants.
• Improved bus stops.

These revamped routes debuted in two phases. Phase One, which affected routes 1 (became 1/1A/1B/1N), 6 (became 6/6B), and 11 (became 11/11B) began on September 29, 2012. Phase 2, affecting the rest of the routes began on January 9, 2013.{{Cite web |date=2012-08-13 |title=Designingbetterbus » Partners » Go Local » GoTriangle |url=http://www.gotriangle.org/go-local/partners/designingbetterbus/ |access-date=2023-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813052426/http://www.gotriangle.org/go-local/partners/designingbetterbus/ |archive-date=2012-08-13 }}

In 2015, as part of the GoTransit naming scheme, DATA was renamed GoDurham. Total ridership, for the fiscal year 2015 was almost 6.3 million ridership.{{cite web | title=US Federal Transportation Administration – NTD Database|url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/ntd/data-product/monthly-module-raw-data-release}} To improve service, GoTriangle introduced GoDurham's Short-Range Transit Plan in April 2019. This plan intended to speed up service while the original 2017 and current revision of the Durham Transit Plan were being done. These improvements were:

• Further improve on-timer performance
• Simplify routes, removing variations to make them easier.
• Introduce micro-transit on select areas.
• Improve frequencies to reduce wait times, introducing the Frequent Service Network program.
• Add more crosstown routes to connect to more places.

They offered the changes GoDurham can in the upcoming years. The plan was done by late 2019 and by January 2020, the new routes began running service. However, the implementation of the plan was slowed and eventually halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, GoDurham service ran normally until March 20. Service was reduced, as service was scheduled to end at 9:30 pm, similar to Sundays. On March 22, fare collections were suspended, and rear-door boarding was allowed. However, on March 30, GoDurham severely reduced service as operators start to drop. The following service changes included reductions of service to hourly or every 2 hours.

In April, bus capacity was reduced to 16 passengers max. Seats were taped off from buses to prioritize social distancing. However, in May, they reduced service to a modified Sunday schedule. This took effect on May 4. This was short-lived as on May 18, some service was restored. By June 29, GoDurham restored all bus service back to pre-COVID service patterns. In October 2020, GoDurham expanded service with the Short-Range Transit Plan, adding 15-minute service to Fayetteville St and adding better weekday evening and weekend service to various routes.

On June 29, 2021, service was reduced due to another operator shortage. The following service reductions included, reversing the improvements and suspending certain routes. However, in late 2021, GoDurham slowly restoring service again, adding the 5K and 10B routes back.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-01 |title=Service Changes |url=http://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |access-date=2023-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101222139/http://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |archive-date=2021-11-01 }}

2022 brought more restorations. To provide lost service to Croasdaile Crossings previously served by the 1 route, on February 1, 2022, route 6 service was extended to serve Croasdaile Crossings during weekday daytime hours.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-17 |title=Service Changes |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |access-date=2023-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517150819/https://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |archive-date=2022-05-17 }} Major restorations occurred on October 28, when GoDurham restored 15-minute service, discontinuing the 5K route again, minor changes to the 11/11B routes, and restoring the 12B route, servicing RTC.

2023 saw most service return to pre-COVID levels. On February 13, full service returned on route 7.{{Cite web |title=Service Changes |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502175406/https://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |archive-date=2023-05-02 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=godurhamtransit.org}} On June 24, routes 2, 8, 11/11B were restored to full frequencies and service. In October, GoDurham plans to get full service restored by early 2024.{{Cite web |title=10.4.23 Public Meeting Notes |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/sites/default/files/gd_public_meeting_10.4.23.pdf |access-date=2023-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025191947/https://godurhamtransit.org/sites/default/files/gd_public_meeting_10.4.23.pdf |archive-date=2023-10-25 }} On November 11, routes 1 and 4 will have restored overnight service, Frequent Service Network on route 5 will be active on Saturdays, and 10/10B will have expanded service.{{Cite web |title=Service Changes |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025192550/https://godurhamtransit.org/service-changes |archive-date=2023-10-25 |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=godurhamtransit.org}} Service was restored to January 2020 levels with the service changes on routes 1/6/12/12B on January 27th, 2024. Route 1 was interlined with route 6, route 6 was restored to 30 minute frequencies, and 12/12B service runs to Saturday.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-20 |title=Transit Equity Week {{!}} GoDurham |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/news/transit-equity-week |access-date=2024-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820225642/https://godurhamtransit.org/news/transit-equity-week |archive-date=2024-08-20 }}

After restoring service, GoDurham started to improve existing service with the April 27th service changes, that focused that every route would see 30-minute service. This saw routes 9A/9B and 12B have overnight/Sunday hours and increased night/Sunday frequencies to 30-minutes on routes 6, 7, and 8.

North Durham saw improvements on August 2024, which affected routes 1, 4, 6, and 9. Changes include Route 1 being partially extended to Riverside High School and route 4 being extended to Tom Wilkinson Road. Route 6 is extended past Duke/VA, bringing a new crosstown connection, serving Horton Road and Danube Lane, and route 9 being shortened to Duke Regional Hospital.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-20 |title=Service Changes {{!}} GoDurham |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/gd/service-changes |access-date=2024-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240820224457/https://godurhamtransit.org/gd/service-changes |archive-date=2024-08-20 }} All routes run every 30-minutes all day.

East and South Durham will see improvements by Spring 2025, which affects routes 3/3B/3C, 5, 8, and 12/12B. Changes include frequency increases on routes 3 and 16 (renamed from 3B), route 5 extending to service NC-54, route 8 extending to serve NC-55, route 12 being shortened to NC-54 and Alston Avenue with route 12B being eliminated, and a new crosstown route connecting Durham Tech, NCCU, and The Village. Improvements on routes 3 and 16 will see Holloway St have a bus arrive better than 15-minutes until 7 pm weekdays, which is a first for GoDurham's history.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-10 |title=Service Changes {{!}} GoDurham |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/gd/service-changes |access-date=2025-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310154044/https://godurhamtransit.org/gd/service-changes |archive-date=10 March 2025 }}

Currently GoDurham is fare-free until summer 2025.

GoDurham currently runs in three service patterns. Weekday daytime hours which run from 5:30 am to 7:00 pm, weekday evening hours which runs from 7:00 pm to 12:30 am, and Sundays which runs from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm{{Cite web |title=GoDurham Holiday Hours|url=https://godurhamtransit.org/holiday-hours |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=godurhamtransit.org}} Sunday-level service is also operated during New Years, MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day. There is no service on Christmas Day. Service operates normally on Christmas Eve; however, service ends after 7:30 pm.

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The fleet livery changed throughout the years. The first ever livery, prior to 2003, had buses utilized blue stripes over a white body.{{Cite web |title=BusTalk U.S. Surface Transportation Galleries - Durham Area Transit Authority/DATA 104 |url=http://gallery.bustalk.info/displayimage.php?album=820&pos=0 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=gallery.bustalk.info}} However, with the introduction of Gillig Low Floors in 2003, buses used a white body with red, yellow, and blue stripes.

In 2010 with the delivery of new Gillig BRT Hybrids, a new livery was created, which featured a brighter color, arc scheme on the buses. As the result of the transition to GoDurham, the livery was changed into a gray body with blue triangles in different hues. Retrofitted buses, which are the buses before the rebranding retain the black trim. All buses delivered after 2017 lack any black trim. The slogan used for the buses was changed to Connecting the Bull City.

GoDurham's fixed-route service currently runs 58 vehicles, running on 21 routes. GoDurham currently operates Gillig Low Floor, Gillig BRT, and Gillig Low Floor Plus buses. They currently run diesel, hybrid and electric buses. As part of the clean-energy program, 20 Gillig BRT Hybrids were delivered to the city in 2009–2010.{{cite news|title=2009 Durham Buses|url=http://www.wral.com/durham-tests-hybrid-buses/3053104/}} Bicycle racks are fitted to the front of all buses to increase efforts for public transit. All buses are equipped with Wi-Fi on board. USB ports were introduced with the 2018-2019 units. In 2019, GoDurham placed an order for six electric buses. Two of these buses were delivered on Earth Day 2021. The rest of the fleet arrived in 2023, to replace aging units.{{cite news |title=GoDurham Adds Two New Electric Buses on Earth Day |url=https://abc11.com/godurham-durham-electric-buses-clean-energy-earth-day/10538841/}}{{Cite web |last=WRAL |date=2022-03-15 |title=City of Durham to receive $10.8 million grant for public transit upgrades |url=https://www.wral.com/city-of-durham-to-receive-10-8-million-grant-for-public-transit-upgrades/20187974/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=WRAL.com |language=en}} Further, in February 2024 it was announced that 18 more electric buses are to be received in the following two years.{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2024 |title=Transit Equity Week |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/news/transit-equity-week |website=GoDurham}} The 2023 Gillig electric units now feature next stop information screens. As of now, this is the current fleet as of August 2024.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2023 |title=GoDurham Fleet Plan 2023-2028 |url=https://meadhunt.com/client/GoDurham/Vehicles/GoDurhamFleetPlanFY23-28_01-10-2023.xlsx |website=Meadhunt - GoDurham Fleet Plan FY23-28}}

Here is the list of routes in the current system as of March 2025. All routes depart from Durham Station. Refer to the GoDurham site for more information.{{cite web |title=GoDurham Maps & Schedules |url=http://godurhamtransit.org/maps-and-schedules}} Most routes run every 30 to 60 minutes. Select routes run under the Frequent Service Network program, which provides 15-minute service during daytime hours and 30 minute service during evening, Sundays, and Holidays.

{{reflist|group=note}}

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The GoDurham Better Bus Project is a program created in 2019 by the City of Durham to plan and improve current bus stops, crosswalks, and roads to both make bus stops more comfortable for riders and to speed up GoDurham service. The 18-month plan, which has six projects plans to improve major corridor routes, more attention on both Holloway Street and Fayetteville Street bus lines.{{Cite web |title=GoDurham Better Bus Project |url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4372/GoDurham-Better-Bus-Project |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.durhamnc.gov}}

Currently, GoDurham's planned projects are shown here, expected to be planned and finished by 2023-2024:

• Bus Access Project{{Cite web |title=Bus Access Project |url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4402/Bus-Access-Project |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.durhamnc.gov}} - Will allow easier access to bus stops by adding sidewalks 1/4th mile from a GoDurham bus stop.
• Bus Speed and Reliability Project{{Cite web |title=Bus Speed and Reliability Project |url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4403/Bus-Speed-and-Reliability-Project |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.durhamnc.gov}} - Allows for the improvement of bus service by prioritizing buses in traffic, pavement markings, and better signage.
• Durham Station Transit Area{{Cite web |title=Durham Station Transit Area |url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4404/Durham-Station-Transit-Area |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.durhamnc.gov}} - This project will evaluate current streets in Downtown Durham taken by GoDurham buses and improving those streets to speed up service to/from Durham Station
• Fayetteville Street Corridor{{Cite web |title=Fayetteville Street Corridor |url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4405/Fayetteville-Street-Corridor |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.durhamnc.gov}} - This project would allow major improvements around Fayetteville Street like enhanced bus stops, better traffic, and safer access which will increase reliability, safety, and will speed up the route.
• Holloway Street Corridor and Village Transit Center{{Cite web |title=Holloway Street Corridor and Village Transit Center |url=https://www.durhamnc.gov/4406/Holloway-Street-Corridor-and-Village-Tra |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=www.durhamnc.gov}} - This project will follow the Fayetteville St Corridor goals with an additional transit center for The Village.
• Bus Stop Balancing Study - Will remove low ridership stops and modify existing stops to increase service reliability.{{Cite web |title=Bus Stop Balancing Study |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/bus-stop-balancing-study |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=godurhamtransit.org}}

The Durham Transit Plan is the plan for GoDurham's long-term future bus improvements for the city by 2040.{{Cite web |title=Durham Transit Plan |publisher=ENGAGE Durham |url=https://engagedurham.com/101/Durham-Transit-Plan |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=engagedurham.com}} In April 2011, Durham County added a sales tax for public transit to allow this plan to happen. This plans allows for the improvement of bus stops, acquire electric vehicles, and increased service. Durham was recently awarded $10.8 million in funding, which will allow GoDurham to advance with this plan.

The program is currently in its expansion phase, which has started to affect the GoDurham Network. Current changes since August 2024 are:

• Creating brand new bus terminals in The Streets at Southpoint and Glenview Station as part of their Bus Stop Improvement program.{{Cite web |title=Bus Stop Improvements |url=https://godurhamtransit.org/stops |access-date=2022-12-01 |website=godurhamtransit.org}}
• Improving 90 bus stops with benches and/or adding shelters.
• Received 8 new electric buses with another 18 expected to arrive within two years.
• Providing 30 minute service across the majority of the GoDurham network.
• Adding all or some 15-minute service/Frequent Service Network on routes 5, 3/3B/3C, 2/12/12B, 10/10B, & 11/11B.
• Micro transit on the East and North Durham Zones, now named Durham Connect
• Service Improvements on North Durham on routes 1, 4, 6, and 9.

In the summer of 2023, GoDurham and GoTriangle provided the draft for the new Short-Range Transit Plan., which is planned to improve the bus network in Durham from 2024 to 2028.{{Cite web |title=Short Range Transit Plan – GoForwardNC |url=https://www.goforwardnc.org/durham-archive/short-range-transit-plan_draft/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=www.goforwardnc.org}} Funding has been approved for these services, which the changes would happen between 2024 and 2028. These changes include:

• Add a crosstown route connecting NCCU, Durham Tech, and The Village Shopping Center
• Improve 75 bus stops are scheduled to be improved, with 114 more being planned.
• Increase frequency on route 3, 4, 9, and 10 routes to run 15-minute service weekdays and Saturdays.
• Increase all service to run every 30 minutes during weekdays, evening, and weekends.
• Create a transportation center in The Village Shopping Center
• Increased service on GoTriangle routes in Durham.

These other ideas are being considered to be added in the far future. These include:

• Create a transit center in North Duke Crossing [4/6]
• Acquire more buses for increased service.
• Extend Chapel Hill Transit's D route to Patterson Place.
• Provide ideas for North Durham [4/6] and Chapel Hill Road [10/10B] Transit Corridors.

{{Reflist}}

• {{commons category-inline|GoDurham}}
• [http://godurhamtransit.org/ Official webpage]
• [http://gotransitnc.org/ GoTransit]
• [http://www.freelon.com/portfolio/220 Freelon Design for the Transportation Center] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809162110/http://www.freelon.com/portfolio/220 |date=2008-08-09 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091207233807/http://www.durhamnc.gov/news/NewsDisplay.cfm?vNewsID=1437 Downtown Terminal Groundbreaking Announcement]
• [http://www.cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=Durham_Area_Transit_Authority Roster]

{{Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area}}

{{RATP Group}}

Category:Bus transportation in North Carolina

Category:Transportation in Durham, North Carolina

Category:RATP Group