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In 2017, Durham and Orange counties adopted County Transit Plans for the first time. These Plans updated the Bus & Rail Investment Plans that were voter-approved in 2011 and 2012 in Durham and Orange Counties, respectively.

Here are the links to the most recently updated transit plans:

Durham County Transit Plan

This document is housed on Durham County's Transit Plan webpage.

Orange County Transit Plan

This document is housed on Orange County's Transit Plan webpage. 

County Transit plans are each managed through an agreement signed by each county, Triangle West TPO, and GoTriangle. Each plan is administered through a Staff Working Group made up of a voting staff member from each signer of the agreement.

Where does the transit tax go?

The plans address the need for enhanced bus and rail to serve growth and provide access to jobs and education. Funding for the plans come from:

  • Half-Cent Sales and Use Tax
  • 5% Vehicle Rental Tax
  • $3 increase to GoTriangle Regional Vehicle Registration Fee
  • $7 County Vehicle Registration Fee

Both plans support:

  • Improved local and regional bus service
  • Better bus stops and park and rides
  • Long-range planning for high-capacity transit, such as bus rapid transit (BRT) or commuter rail transit (CRT)

Both plans initially supported a light rail transit system to connect Durham and Orange counties. In April 2019, Durham and Orange counties discontinued planning for the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit project due to funding difficulties and an inability to reach final agreements with Duke University and the North Carolina Railroad.

In August 2009, House Bill 148 became law, allowing counties in North Carolina to hold referenda to fund transit projects with voter-approved sales tax. Orange and Durham counties subsequently developed county-wide transit plans and held successful referenda to impose a half-cent sales tax increase to fund transit. The original county transit plans were called Bus and Rail Investment Plans (BRIPs).

Durham County Plan
The DCHC MPO Board approved the Durham County Bus and Rail Investment Plan on June 22, 2011. On June 27, 2011, the Durham Board of County Commissioners adopted the plan and called for a referendum on a one-half cent sales tax for public transportation. Durham County Voters passed the referendum for a one-half cent sales tax on November 8, 2011.

Orange County Plan
On October 2, 2012, the Orange Board of County Commissioners adopted the Bus and Rail Investment Plan and called for a referendum on a half-cent sales tax for public transportation. The DCHC MPO Board approved the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan on October 10, 2012. Orange County voters approved the referendum for a one-half cent sales tax on November 6, 2012.

Durham County Transit Plan

This document is housed on Durham County's Transit Plan webpage.

Orange County Transit Plan

This document is housed on Orange County's Transit Plan webpage.