Raleigh’s Public Transit System Isn’t as Bad as You Think

I took the bus everywhere for a month—here’s how it went.

Turns out, Raleigh’s public transit system isn’t as bad as you may think. It’s not what I would have expected after encountering the sights and smells of various bus stops I’ve trekked by in the past, but my forced four-week stint on public transit proved otherwise. 

I wouldn’t go as far as to call it a civic masterpiece, but the GoRaleigh system is like most cities’ public transit service—somewhat efficient, a little gross, but will reliably transport you. And it’s far better than many transit services in much bigger cities (looking at you, LA). 

From the jump, the majority of common stereotypes of public transit I expected to encounter weren’t a problem—namely, the buses aren’t overwhelmingly crowded; pickpocketing isn’t an issue; and drivers follow the rules of the road. Beyond these cliches, GoRaleigh actually has a wealth of pros. 

Compared to complaints about GoTriangle—you may recall our coverage last summer re: its constant cancellations and no shows—GoRaleigh exceeded my expectations. Of my 51 total bus rides, I only experienced one no-show, and all other 50 came within ~five minutes of their scheduled time—though I acknowledge a no-show or extra five minutes may be more of a casualty for riders with less flexibility. 

To be fair, five minutes late is *technically* on time in public-transit speak, where on time is typically defined as no more than one minute early or five minutes late. Plus delays are obviously part of any mode of transit, and the top public transit systems in the U.S. still experience them frequently—for example, the F line in NYC is delayed 30% of the time. That said, these delays could possibly be offset by more frequent buses—specifically in less urban areas—but is a hard sell during the multimillion budget deficit Raleigh transit is facing.

That assumed inconvenience led me to initially plan to only take the bus to work, but after seeing how easy the system was to navigate, I took it everywhere—occasionally, I even opted to hop on the bus and ride to bars over ordering a $10 Uber. This wealth (!) of knowledge was hacked by savvy transit users long before me—according to the American Public Transit Association, bus riders save an average of $1,100 a month and are 10 times safer per mile than those who drive an automobile—not to mention I never had to worry about parking.

But let’s be real—there are definitely aspects that need improving. Buses can be very gross. In a 2023 GoRaleigh survey, frequent riders cited cleanliness as an issue—and I concur. White jeans and open-toed shoes were temporarily retired after I noted the amount of dirt on the floor, and, after my second ride, I opted to stand rather than sit after grazing a damp seat. While the grime isn’t ideal, public transit is *public* after all and won’t ever be perfectly spotless—and GoRaleigh is still one of the cleaner transit services I’ve experienced. 

Those surveyed also cited personal safety as a concern—but I never felt in danger on the bus. The bus stops, though, were definitely a little sketchy, and I briefly considered walking home once when a fellow passenger waiting for the bus started yelling and hitting surrounding objects with a leather belt. Ultimately, though, both on and off the bus, if you make a point to stay out of others’ way and mind your own business (read: no staring), you’re less likely to be bothered. 

So, after a month of riding the bus, I settled on the conclusion that anyone who refuses to ride is—to be frank—being dramatic.  Public transit cannot and does not cater to each individual, rather every individual must make it work for them.

How to Get Started:

• Download Transit, or just use the public transit option on Apple Maps
• Start with a short, easy-to-navigate ride—save the day trip for later.  
• Zip up your purse and keep any baggage out of the aisles.  
• Mind your own business and stay out of the way of other passengers. 
• Wear comfy, closed toed shoes. If you’re wearing light-colored clothing, don’t sit. 
• Carry pepper spray, just in case.
• Say thank you to your drivers!

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