GoRaleigh reports rising ridership and shifting funding share under Wake Transit Plan

Patel, transportation transit, told the Raleigh City Council that GoRaleigh recorded about 7.5 million annual rides last year and will operate on an approximately $94.7 million budget next fiscal year.

The presentation said the system runs 34 routes, about 120 buses and roughly 1,400 stops; high-frequency corridors (15-minute or better) expanded from 40 miles to 137 miles between 2024 and March 2026. Councilors were shown that the system returned to fares in fall 2024; before the pandemic roughly 32% of riders rode free through programs such as senior and youth passes, and in FY25 that share rose to about 61% because of expanded fare‑free programs and a transit assistance program implemented with GoTriangle.

Councilors asked about the city’s level of discretion in making changes. Patel said the city retains decision authority but noted tradeoffs: federal grant interests and Wake Transit Plan programming mean relocating or substantially reconfiguring facilities could trigger federal repayment obligations or shifts in Wake Transit capital and operational programming.

The presentation described Wake Transit Plan’s contributions to Raleigh’s transit budget: Wake Transit covered about 30% of the city’s transit budget in FY23, was projected at about 49% for fiscal year 2027, and — given planned frequency and capital improvements under Wake Transit’s 10‑year planning model — could represent about 60% of the program’s funding share in out years. Patel said the city’s general fund contribution has remained largely consistent.

Patel also discussed procurement and operations: GoRaleigh’s operating contract is with RATP Dev; the contractor supplies most drivers and supervisory staff. The department said federal funding constraints require equitable distribution of federally purchased vehicles across routes, which limits how extensively the agency can substitute smaller vehicles for federally funded buses.

The presentation closed with staff commitments to provide follow-up details requested by council, including a breakdown of youth ridership and additional costing information for longer-term station studies. The presentation will go to the Raleigh Transit Authority for further review.