It’s always exciting when opposing groups can come together to advocate for the same much-needed improvements in Chapel Hill.

We, as you might recall, are big fans of Bus Rapid Transit and Chapel Hill Transit’s planned North-South Bus Rapid Transit route (NSBRT) along MLK and S. Columbia.

The NSBRT buses will travel in dedicated lanes and traffic signals will sense and adjust to them. That will allow transit vehicles (and riders!) to bypass traffic, even during the most congested times of day.

We’ll also get an off-road multiuse path along both sides of the route along MLK. This will make MLK more comfortable, safer, and enjoyable for anyone on foot or on wheels.

Everyone is FOR this project! 

Previous transit investments in Chapel Hill have not been without their challenges or detractors. The Durham-Orange Light Rail (DOLRT) sparked Wars of the Roses-level battles that pitted neighbor against neighbor; brother against brother; signs against signs against signs against signs….

CHALT is one of the biggest proponents of BRT and that makes us so happy! 

We don’t want to return to those days.

That’s why we are SO EXCITED that the NSBRT already has considerable community support — even among strange bedfellows of groups who are often on opposite sides of local politics.

For example, Chapel Hill Alliance for a Livable Town (also known as CHALT) has been one of the biggest proponents of BRT in Chapel Hill. Surprised?

We were, too!

In fact, CHALT doubled-down on their support of the NSBRT in several of their 2017 newsletters, point out that it would serve as an “affordable and efficient” alternative to the DOLRT.

WE AGREE THAT THE NSBRT IS GOOD.

We also agree that, as CHALT notes in a series of articles from the DOLRT era, it is extremely important to let your local (and state!) elected officials know (early and often) that you support the NSBRT. Which is why we are pleased to announce our FIRST EVER ever collaboration with CHALT in support of the NSBRT!

… OK, it’s not officially a collaboration yet, but we definitely think it’s going to happen because we are so aligned with CHALT on this:

We are so happy that CHALT feels strongly in favor of the BRT because they’re really good at getting people motivated to advocate. And we feel strongly about this project too — keeping the BRT in limbo isn’t good when thinking about the future of Chapel Hill.

Let’s work together to get this project funded!

How you can help

  • Email the Mayor and Council ([email protected]) and let them know you support the project and that the Complete Community initiative should better integrate this important investment.
  • Tag @unc and @uncmedcenter on Twitter and ask them to provide financial support for this project.
  • Write a letter to the DTH or the News and Observer
  • For goodness sake, VOTE! Especially for candidates who support investing in multi-modal transportation!

In the last municipal election cycle, we helped increase turnout by over 20 percent. We're all volunteers who care deeply about Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and we're working to make Chapel Hill and Carrboro more vibrant, accessible, fun, and sustainable.  Please consider a small donation to help us keep our digital lights on, host events, and hire students to do data deep-dives.