Wake Forest Loop to offer shorter wait times & Saturday service

Beginning the week of January 6, 2020, the Wake Forest Loop (WFL), a fare-free bus for residents traveling within Wake Forest and a portion of Wakefield, will add a second bus to run a reverse route and introduce Saturday service.

Originally, the WFL was comprised of one bus running the hour-long route Monday-Friday in a clockwise direction. Starting Monday, Jan. 6, the WFL will operate six days-a-week enabling riders to travel both clockwise and counter-clockwise along the existing route cutting wait times in half from 60 to 30 minutes. The local service will remain free of charge.

The upcoming changes, coupled with enhancements introduced in October, are designed to make public transportation more accessible to larger numbers of residents.

In mid-October the WFL began offering an early/late extension along North Main Street and a mid-day extension into Heritage. At 6:32 a.m., 7:32 a.m., 8:32 a.m. and 9:32 a.m., the WFL departs Wake Forest Crossing, 12536 Capital Blvd., and makes stops at the intersections of North Main Street/East Oak Avenue and North Wingate Street/West Oak Avenue before proceeding to the CVS Pharmacy stop at the intersection of North White Street/Roosevelt Avenue. The late extension repeats the sequence hourly from 4:32 p.m. to 7:32 p.m.

The mid-day extension into Heritage is now offered hourly from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. At the top of each hour, the WFL departs downtown Wake Forest and travels to a bus stop at the intersection of Heritage Branch Road/Branch Ferry Court before proceeding to the stop at Wakefield Commons, 14600 New Falls of Neuse Road.

Since 2008, Wake Forest Bus Service has included the WFL and the Wake Forest-Raleigh Express (WFX), a weekday rush-hour express to Triangle Town Center and downtown Raleigh. The result of a 2008 partnership between the Town of Wake Forest, GoTriangle, GoRaleigh and the City of Raleigh, both the local circulator and express routes are operated using GoRaleigh vehicles.

While the WFL is free, the WFX fare is $3 each way for adults. Daily passes and a variety of other passes are available at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and GoTriangle Regional Transit Center, 901 Slater Road, Durham. Passes may also be purchased online at www.GoTriangle.org.

As an alternative to driving to and from work, riding the bus offers many advantages, including flexible schedules; low cost; reduced wear, tear and maintenance on your personal vehicle; the opportunity to get work done during your commute, or read the paper - or just relax; and reduced emissions, cleaner air.

For complete information about Wake Forest Bus Service, including route schedules, maps, brochures and holiday schedules, visit www.wakeforestnc.gov/transportation/bus-service or contact Transportation Engineer Jonathan Jacobs at 919-435-9441 or jjacobs@wakeforestnc.gov.

Bus Service

Transit service began in Wake Forest in July 2008 giving residents the opportunity to use a free local circulator service (Wake Forest Loop) that serves the Town and provides access to grocery stores, shopping, and other services and ride a weekday rush-hour express from Wake Forest to downtown Raleigh (Wake Forest Express). The two routes are the result of a partnership between the Town of Wake Forest and GoRaleigh.

Both the Wake Forest Express Route and the Wake Forest Loop Route are operated using GoRaleigh vehicles.

Wake Forest-Raleigh Express (WRX)

The Wake Forest-Raleigh Express (WRX) serves a Park and Ride Lot (located at the intersection of White Street and Elm Avenue) in Wake Forest, the Triangle Town Center Park-and-Ride at Orvis, State Government, and the Moore Square Transit Station during rush hour. Tickets can be purchased on the GoRaleigh website, in-person at the GoRaleigh Station, or at Wake Forest Town Hall. Ticket sales at Town Hall can be made by visiting the Planning Department on the 3rd Floor.

WF Express Map — Click map to view larger version

Wake Forest-Raleigh Express Fares

One Way

adult - $3
youth, ages 12 and younger - free (with paying adult)
youth, ages 13–18 (with Youth Go Pass) - free
youth, ages 13–18 (without Youth Go Pass) - $1.25
seniors, ages 65+, - free (with ID)
disabled* - $1.25

Day Pass

adult - $6
youth, ages 6–18 - $2.50
youth, ages 5 and younger - free
seniors, ages 65+ - Free (with ID)
disabled* - $2.50

7-Day Express Pass

adult - $22
youth, ages 6–18 - $9.25
youth, ages 5 and younger - free
seniors, ages 65+ - free (with ID)
disabled* - $9.25

31-Day Express Pass

adult - $102
youth, ages 6–18 - $42.50
youth, ages 5 and younger - free
seniors, ages 65+ - free (with ID)
disabled* - $42.50

Stored Value Cards**

$13.50 stored value card - $12
$25 stored value card - $20
$50 stored value card - $40

* DISABLED RATE QUALIFICATIONS: Medicare card holders, disabled riders with a VA Disability Card, VA “Service Connected” card or disability card from any transit system.

** Stored Value Cards are valid on Regional and Express Triangle Transit Routes and on C-Tran and GoRaleigh.

DISCOUNTS: UNC, NCSU, NC state government and other Triangle employers may offer free or discounted passes to students and staff. Check with your transportation coordinator or HR department.

Wake Forest Express Weekday Schedule

WRX Schedule

WRX Holiday Schedule

The Wake Forest-Raleigh Express does not operate on New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday After Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For all bus route holiday schedules, visit www.goraleigh.org or call 919-485-7433.

Wake Forest Loop (WFL)

The no-cost Wake Forest Loop is a local circulator for residents wanting to travel within Wake Forest and a portion of the Wakefield community. The Wake Forest Loop serves the Park and Ride at White Street and Elm Avenue for those riders wanting to connect with the Wake Forest-Raleigh Express in rush hours and with Triangle Town Center in midday. In addition to the local route, ADA Paratransit (door to door service) is provided for eligible persons with disabilities whose trips originate within 3/4 miles of the Wake Forest Loop and end within the service areas of GoRaleigh.

Wake Forest Loop (WFL) Weekly Schedule - Beginning Jan. 6, 2020

Beginning the week of January 6, 2020, the Wake Forest Loop (WFL) will add a second bus to run a reverse route and introduce Saturday service.

WFL Holiday Schedule

The Wake Forest Loop does not provide service on New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Good Friday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. To view all bus route holiday schedules, visit www.goraleigh.org or call 919-485-7433.

Route Brochures

Full schedules for routes are available for download and at the Wake Forest Town Hall. Please note there is no Wake Forest Saturday or Sunday service.

Bus schedule brochure (PDF)

Bus Schedule Brochure - Effective Oct. 14, 2019

Tips for riding the bus

The bus will stop at designated bus stop signs along the route. To board the bus, signal to the driver as he approaches the stop.
When you want to exit the bus, press the strip or pull the cord located above the seats at least one-half block before your stop.
Whenever possible, exit the bus through the rear doors.
To request a new stop, call 919-485-7433.

Benefits

As an alternative to driving to and from work, riding the bus offers many advantages. And today's soaring gas prices make the bus a better way to get there. Just a few of the benefits include:

flexible schedules
low cost
reduced wear and tear, and maintenance, on your personal vehicle
the opportunity to get work done during your commute, or read the paper - or just relax!
reduced emissions, cleaner air

Accessible Raleigh Transportation Program (ART)

If you are a Wake Forest resident with a physical or mental disability that makes it impossible to drive a car and/or use Wake Forest Bus Service, you may qualify for the Accessible Raleigh Transportation Program (ART). This program provides subsidized curb-to-curb transportation service through participating contractors. The program in Wake Forest is administered by the City of Raleigh and funded by the Town of Wake Forest.

For more information, visit the ART website or call 919-435-9441.

flag_raising_ceremony.jpg