The North Harnett Transit Study is inviting the community to provide feedback on a proposed microtransit service aimed at enhancing public transportation options in the northern part of Harnett County.

In November 2023, Harnett County partnered with the North Carolina Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), to launch the North Harnett Transit Study. This study evaluates public transportation needs in areas that overlap with CAMPO’s boundary, including Angier, Lillington, Coats, Buies Creek, Raven Rock State Park, and Campbell University.

Based on community feedback and transit data, CAMPO has recommended a microtransit system with regional connections, and now the study team is seeking public input to help shape the final proposal.

What is being proposed?

• Microtransit - Combines traditional bus service with ridesharing, allowing riders to travel anywhere within the service area. All of this is on their own schedule. Users request a ride in real-time using a smartphone app, website, or phone call. It's flexible, convenient, reliable, and open to everyone.
• Microtransit with Regional Connections -Microtransit within a proposed service area combined with connections to or from a set of nearby destination options. This would include three Park & Rides north of Harnett County that provide connections to existing transit services in Wake County, as well as popular services and shopping centers to the south.

“Microtransit is like having a personal ride service you can book through an app on your phone,” Gaby Lawlor, Sr. Transportation Planner at CAMPO. “It's flexible and easy, letting you travel on your own schedule to reach multiple destinations in this growing rural area. We need feedback from the community about microtransit and the proposed service area to help our study team finalize the implementation plan."

How to get involved

Residents are encouraged to review the proposal and share their thoughts through the public comment period, which runs until Monday, April 14, 2025.

Opportunities for engagement include:

• Community Event: Study team members will be at various locations to discuss the proposal, answer questions, and gather feedback.
• Online Survey & Resources: The study’s website provides detailed information about microtransit, a survey to collect input, and updates on upcoming events.
• Virtual “Ask A Planner” Event: Join study team members on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, for a live Question and Answer session to learn more or share your thoughts.

Beyond this study, additional planning will be needed before operation can begin. Based on public input, transit demand, and feedback from officials and stakeholders, the study is developing an implementation plan to help outline those future steps for the proposed transit services in Harnett County.

About N.C. Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO): CAMPO is a regional transportation planning organization serving communities in Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, and Wake Counties. CAMPO serves as the coordinating agency between local governments, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Federal Highway Administration.