View Zebulon/Wendell-Raleigh Express (ZWX) in a larger map x
The long-awaited rush-hour express bus between Raleigh and the eastern Wake towns of Wendell and Zebulon will start rolling Monday, Oct. 26.
Using Capital Area Transit buses, the Zebulon/Wendell-Raleigh Express primarily will serve commuters who work in downtown Raleigh and East Raleigh, running weekdays 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
Morning buses leave a Zebulon park-and-ride lot at 5:55, 6:55 and 7:55 a.m., to arrive an hour later at Moore Square in downtown Raleigh.
Along the way they stop at a Wendell park-and-ride lot, in East Raleigh near WakeMed and Wake County Human Services, and at four state government complex stops. There are three afternoon buses making the reverse trip, leaving Moore Square at 4:10, 5:10 and 6:10 p.m.
The eastern Wake park-and-ride locations are in Zebulon at Compare Foods, 410 W. Gannon Ave., and in Wendell at East 4th Street and Oakwood Avenue. The route map is online.
In addition, three morning buses will make the trip east from Raleigh, leaving Moore Square at 5, 6 and 7 a.m. Two afternoon buses will depart Zebulon for Raleigh at 5:05 and 6:05 p.m. The schedule is online.
Triangle Transit is sponsoring the new service, with help from Raleigh and the towns of Zebulon and Wendell. The service will run fare-free for the first five weeks, and then riders will start paying Tuesday, Dec. 1.
A single trip costs $2.50 each way, with discount fares and passes available. Many government and private employers provide free or discounted transit passes to employees.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter, editor and blogger since 1976, he took over the