An articulated Chapel Hill Transit bus parked on the side of the road.

About North-South Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT)

Project Overview
A station rendering on Franklin Street. Bench seating is included within the station.
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A digital rendering of what a station at Franklin Street could look like.

Cities around the country are launching BRT systems to improve transit reliability, shorten travel times, reduce congestion, and support economic development.

BRT Only Lanes separate buses from cars, allowing for faster, more efficient transportation for everyone.

Traffic Signal Priority systems hold green lights longer for approaching BRT vehicles.

High Capacity, Specialized Vehicles accommodate more riders than traditional buses and feature amenities such as onboard wireless internet and more comfortable seating than traditional buses.

State-of-the-Art Transit Stations provide more amenities for transit riders including covered seating, improved pedestrian crossings and cyclist access and real-time schedule information.

Multi-use paths along much of the corridor provide space for cyclists, pedestrians and other forms of transportation.

Electric buses reduce emissions and improve local air quality.

Download Planning
Study

Public Parks and Trails
along the North-South
BRT Route

Frequently Asked
Questions

Project Videos

Learn about BRT and Chapel by watching our informational videos

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Introduction to the North-South BRT (54 sec.)

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Bus Rapid Transit in Chapel Hill (52 sec.)
————————————————————————– What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)? (59 sec.)

Bus Rapid Transit is working nationwide.

As cities across the country address growing demand for transit services, Bus Rapid Transit systems have been implemented in small and large cities. Below is a short list of smaller U.S. cities that have launched BRT to improve transit in their communities.

A Charlotte Area Transit System bus rapid transit bus travelling on a road in Uptown Charlotte.
Charlotte, North Carolina
CATS is currently conducting a study for BRT in Charlotte’s North Corridor. The North Corridor aims to connect the following locations: The study aims to identify future BRT service opportunities and transit projects in the Towns of Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson in Mecklenburg County and Mooresville in Iredell County, North Carolina.
Cleveland, Ohio’s Healthline bus rapid transit service launched in 2008 and connects Downtown Cleveland to University Circle.

Cleveland, Ohio

Launched in 2008, Cleveland’s Healthline replaced 108 bus stops with 36 conveniently spaced stations and reduced travel time from 40 minutes to 28. The city’s first BRT system connects the two largest regional employment areas, Downtown and University Circle. Healthline was named ‘Best’ Bus Rapid Transit in North America by the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy in 2013. 

MAX bus rapid transit in Fort Collins, Colorado connects destinations throughout Fort Collins along the Mason Corridor.

Fort Collins, Colorado

MAX is the five-mile BRT system that connects destinations throughout Fort Collins along the Mason Corridor. Launched in 2014, MAX increased ridership 75 percent over the routes it replaced within the first six months of operation. 

The Silverline Bus rapid transit system in Grand Rapids, Michigan is 9.6 miles long and began service in 2014.

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids launched its 9.6-mile long Silver Line in 2014. The system serves 2,300 customers per day. The route is part of the rapid transit network in the Grand Rapids metro area. It is the first BRT service in the state of Michigan. 

Planning is currently underway in Wake County (Raleigh, North Carolina) for its first bus rapid transit system.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Planning is currently underway in Wake County for its first BRT system. It plans to provide services along the following four key corridors: New Bern Avenue, Western Boulevard (downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary), Southern Corridor (downtown Raleigh to Garner), and the Northern Corridor (downtown Raleigh north to Crabtree Boulevard). Services are expected to be fully available by 2030.

In 2018, the First Coast Flyer in Jacksonville, Florida became the southeast’s largest bus rapid transit system.

Jacksonville, Florida

With the completion of its East Corridor Red Line in 2018, Jacksonville, Florida will be home to the southeast’s largest BRT system. When completed, the First Coast Flyer will connect 57 miles of destination travel downtown and throughout Jacksonville. According to the city, the Flyer will be an essential part of a streamlined transit system as Northeast Florida grows. 

The Greater Richmond Transit Complany Pulse bus rapid transit system in Virginia has been running since June 24, 2018.

Richmond, Virginia

The GRTC Pulse has offered its high capacity BRT service since June 24, 2018. The system serves a 7.6-mile route along Broad Street and Main Street, from Rocketts Landing in the City of Richmond to Willow Lawn in Henrico County, Virginia.

Chapel Hill Transit
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