Transportation

September 22nd, 2007

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The public transportation systems in Chapel Hill and Carrboro are quite reliable and extensive. The list of services is as follows,

Regular bus

The bus system in Chapel Hill is extensive and free of charge. It operates weekdays from 5.30AM to 11.30PM (some routes end the service earlier in the evening). Limited service is offered Saturdays and Sundays. For all route maps and schedules, visit http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=397, in which you can check actual bus arrival times on every stop (which is quite reliable and time-saving).

Moreover, you can get a pamphlet containing the system maps and bus schedules in every bus.

During summer holidays (mid-May to mid-August), winter holidays (mid-December to early January), and spring break (mid-March), the bus service will be operated in a reduced service schedule. When it is in effect, some bus routes end earlier in the evening. Caution must be taken using the service.

UNC’s Point-to-Point bus service (P2P)

UNC’s Point-to-Point express service is a free nightly bus service covering the campus area. It is available to UNC students, faculty and staff, particularly those who work on campus (or drink in a pub) late at night. The service is operated between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. nightly by UNC department of Public Safety.

After 3 a.m. UNC’s free Point-to-Point demand service is available by calling 962-7867 (962-P-TO-P) and providing your UNC personal identification number.

This bus service can prove to be useful for those living on-campus. Obviously, you do not want to walk alone late at night.

Triangle Transit Authority (TTA)

TTA provides a bus service throughout the triangle area, covering the area of Chapel Hill and Durham, and the most part of the research triangle area. This is the bus service that takes you from Chapel Hill to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and the Southpoint Mall. For more information, visit http://www.ridetta.org or call (919) 549-9999

For Chapel Hill to Southpoint Mall, take TTA 412 towards RTP. For a return trip to Chapel Hill, take TTA 413 towards Chapel Hill. For Walmart and Target on 15/501, take TTA 413 or TTA 403 towards Durham and take TTA 412 or TTA 402 back to Chapel Hill. Be sure to check the bus schedule because not every bus mentioned above stops at Target.

Fare on regular TTA routes is $2.00 for a one-way trip. Fare on the TTA express routes is $2.50.You might find that you need to use more than one bus to reach your destination. In that case, you will want to request a transfer from the driver as you pay your fare. When you board a second TTA Bus, insert your transfer into the farebox on the second bus.

TTA offers passes to save riders’ money. The regional one-day pass cost $4 which is good for travel on all public transportation systems in the Triangle (excluding Greyhound).

You can plan your trip either online in http://www.gotriangle.org/trip/en or by using printed maps and schedules. Click here to view the TTA system maps.

Tar Heel Express

Express bus service is provided for each UNC home football and basketball game as well as most concerts at the Smith Center. Service begins 1 1/2 hours before the scheduled start of an event. Return trips begin immediately after each event and continue for approximately 1/2 hour. Buses operate from the Jones Ferry Park & Ride lot, the Friday Center Park & Ride lot, the Southern Village Park & Ride lot, and University Mall at Estes Drive and 15-501. One-way fare for Tar Heel Express service is $3.00; round-trip is $5.00.

Fare from Carolina Coffee Shop to the Smith Center is also available on a special Downtown shuttle. One-way fare for the downtown shuttle services is $2.00; round-trip fare is $4.00.

Train

Traveling by train can be a nice experience. The service is provided by Amtrak. The nearest Amtrak station to Chapel Hill is located in Durham. To view the street map of the station, click here. Finding the Amtrak station in Durham can be rather difficult for a first-time train traveler as the station is cutely small.

The train routes that run through Durham are The Carolinian and The Piedmont. The Carolinian travels daily between Charlotte and New York City, with stops in Raleigh, Richmond, Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. The Piedmont makes daily trips between Raleigh and Charlotte. So these two train lines can take you to the most major cities along the east coast.

To plan your trip on Amtrak, click here.