GoTriangle Transit Expansion Could Bring More Bus Service to Holly Springs (NC) and Apex
Wake County commissioners hear update on GoTriangle service improvements and upcoming planning that could shape transit routes across Southern Wake.
Raleigh, NC, Mar. 12, 2026 — As Southern Wake County continues to grow, regional transit leaders say expanded bus service could eventually bring more transportation options to communities such as Apex and Holly Springs.
That possibility was part of a broader discussion during the Wake County Board of Commissioners’ March 9th work session, where officials from GoTriangle outlined recent service improvements and long-term transit planning efforts that could affect residents across the county.
While no decisions were made during the meeting, commissioners asked several questions about how transit planning is adapting to rapid population growth in Southern Wake.
Regional Transit System Serving a Growing County
GoTriangle operates regional bus routes connecting Wake County communities with major destinations throughout the Triangle, including downtown Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, universities, and hospitals.
The system currently links nine downtown areas in Wake County: Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Wake Forest, Wendell, Zebulon, and Research Triangle Park, and connects with multiple local transit systems across four counties.
Transit leaders said improving reliability and increasing service frequency remain key priorities as the region continues to add new residents.
Beginning March 15th, GoTriangle will introduce 15-minute service along Route 100, which connects downtown Raleigh with the Regional Transit Center along Hillsborough Street. Officials said similar increases in service frequency elsewhere in the system have led to double-digit ridership growth.
Southern Wake Growth Driving Transit Planning
During the discussion, commissioners raised questions about how the transit network is adapting to population growth in the southern portion of Wake County.
Communities such as Apex and Holly Springs have seen rapid development in recent years, with new neighborhoods, healthcare facilities, and employment centers expanding throughout the area.
GoTriangle officials said some service expansions have already occurred.
One example is Route 305, which connects Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and Holly Springs. The route originally operated primarily during peak commuting hours but has gradually expanded to include midday service.
Transit planners said future improvements could eventually include more frequent service and possible weekend trips as demand increases.
Another route connecting Apex to Research Triangle Park that was suspended during the pandemic is expected to return later this year, initially running hourly throughout the day.
Officials noted that additional growth in areas near Research Triangle Park, including major healthcare and development projects, could further increase demand for transit connections in Southern Wake.
Wake Transit Planning Update Coming Later This Year
Much of the future transit expansion across the county will be guided by upcoming planning work expected to begin this summer.
Regional transportation planners are preparing to launch an update to the Wake Bus Plan, which will evaluate where new routes, increased service frequency, and additional transit investments could provide the greatest benefit to residents.
That effort will build on the recently updated Wake Transit Vision Plan, which outlines long-term priorities for regional transit investments across Wake County.
Transit leaders said the challenge will be balancing growing demand in multiple areas while making strategic decisions about where new service can have the biggest impact.
Major Regional Transit Projects Also Moving Forward
GoTriangle officials also highlighted several major infrastructure projects currently in development.
Among them is the planned Triangle Mobility Hub, a future regional transit center proposed within Research Triangle Park that would allow riders to transfer between multiple transit systems and better connect communities throughout the Triangle.
The agency is also planning upgrades to its bus operations and maintenance facilities and continuing to pursue federal funding to support future transit projects.
Why It Matters for Southern Wake Residents
For many residents in Holly Springs, Apex, and Fuquay-Varina, commuting still largely depends on driving.
But transit leaders said expanded regional bus service could eventually offer additional transportation options as the county continues to grow.
Improved transit connections can help residents reach jobs, universities, medical centers, and the airport without driving across the region, something planners say will become increasingly important as population and traffic continue to increase throughout Wake County.