GoTriangle will assume direct operation of the Zebulon–Wendell route and expand it from peak‑only service to hourly weekday service between about 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., with the change taking effect the week of Nov. 9, officials said.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to really improve connectivity for this community," Brian Smith, president and CEO of GoTriangle, told the Wendell Town Board. Smith said the changes are part of a larger strategic plan and regional investments under the Wake Transit Plan.

Dr. Curtis Hayes of GoTriangle outlined outreach and funding. The expanded ZWX will add two stops in Wendell Falls (Taylor and Martin Pond), continue to serve the Fourth Street park‑and‑ride shelter, and extend eastward to downtown Zebulon (including the Zebulon Walmart). The route will also serve stops near Raleigh Union Station bus facilities to improve connections to Amtrak and other regional routes.

Chris Clark, GoTriangle transit service scheduler, provided operational details: GoTriangle will operate the service beginning the week of Nov. 9 (technically the first weekday run is Nov. 10), the line will run roughly hourly on weekdays from about 6 a.m. to about 9 p.m., and stops will be posted ahead of the start date. Clark said the ZWX will no longer serve the GoRaleigh station directly but will stop at nearby Edenton and Morgan Street locations and at the new Raleigh Union Station bus facility to allow transfers.

GoTriangle staff noted connections to microtransit: riders inside the GoWake Access SmartRide Northeast zone (including Knightdale, Lyndale and Zebulon) can book SmartRide trips that connect to ZWX stops at the Wendell park‑and‑ride and Wendell Falls. Fare payment options include the UMO app or exact change; GoTriangle also promotes several programs for reduced or free travel, including a Transit Assistance Program (TAP), youth passes for ages 13–18, and free senior passes for riders 65 and older.

Board members asked about employer fare programs, specific stop turnarounds in Zebulon, schedule availability, and weekend service. Clark said employer pass arrangements can be set up with GoTriangle and the new schedules are posted at gotriangle.org/service‑changes. He said there is no immediate weekend plan for the ZWX but that weekend service could be added if demand warrants.

The presenters said the changes were developed through multiple outreach phases and incorporated public feedback. Funding comes from the Wake Transit Plan half‑cent sales tax and related revenues, they said.

Residents seeking more information were directed to gotriangle.org, the GoTriangle call center at (919) 485‑7433, and the Go Access/UMO mobile apps.