Apex advisory board adopts FY27 priorities, forms subcommittees as members press for transit safety fixes

The Apex Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board on May 13 adopted a fiscal‑year 2027 priority task list and formed three subcommittees to advance safety, community outreach/marketing and infrastructure recommendations.

The board voted 7–1 to approve the FY27 priorities after a lengthy discussion that centered on vehicle safety and access to paratransit services. Vice Chair Noah Tob presided in the absence of Chair Linda. The motion to adopt the task list was made and seconded and then approved, with one member opposed.

Board member Elizabeth Bruner urged the advisory board and staff to treat bus safety as urgent, describing multiple operational problems on Go Apex service. “This is a serious issue that’s making it difficult for about 20% of people to use that bus,” Bruner said, citing steep boarding slopes, sideways seats with slippery vinyl and a recent passenger fall. She and other members pressed staff to compile a concise list of safety problems the board can escalate to GoCary and town council.

Staff acknowledged safety is a high priority and said those items are included in the board’s high‑priority list. “That is recommended to be a high priority,” Shannon Cox, the town’s long‑range planning manager, said during the meeting and directed staff to follow up on specific vehicle and stop‑location concerns.

Beyond safety, board members debated the timing and focus of a proposed multimodal marketing campaign. Some members questioned whether marketing should be postponed until riders experience reliable, safe service and recommended beginning with operational fixes and targeted pilot projects. Others supported planning a marketing strategy now to improve ridership over the longer term.

The board also unanimously approved creation of three subcommittees to pursue the priorities: a safety group, a community outreach/marketing group, and an infrastructure planning group. Volunteers were announced during the meeting to staff each group; staff advised subcommittees should remain below quorum so they can meet informally without public‑meeting notices.

The advisory board directed staff to return with follow‑up details, including: an itemized list of immediate safety concerns with proposed next steps, a breakdown of Go Apex operating line items, and a recommended subcommittee operating plan to guide work between regular meetings. The board scheduled its next regular meeting and will begin its FY27 work plan on July 1.

The board adopted the FY27 priority task list by vote of 7–1 and approved the subcommittee structure by unanimous vote.