Downtown Raleigh will soon see a new transit hub, bringing trains and buses into closer proximity.
Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility (RUS Bus) Opens in Downtown Raleigh
The Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility (RUS Bus) officially opened on August 3, 2025, marking a significant step forward in the city's public transportation system. Located at 525 W Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District, the facility aims to centralize bus transit connections across the Raleigh region and improve convenience for riders.
RUS Bus serves a wide range of bus routes operated mainly by GoTriangle and GoRaleigh. These include popular routes like the 100 (Raleigh-Airport-RTC), 105 (Raleigh-RTC), 300 (RTC-Cary-Raleigh), 301 (Cary-Raleigh), 305 (Lake Pine-Cary-Raleigh), 310 (RTC-Wake Tech RTP), 311 (Apex-RTC), 400 (Durham-Chapel Hill), 405 (Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro), 700 (Durham-RTC), 800/800S (Chapel Hill-Southpoint-RTC), 805 (Chapel Hill-Woodcroft-RTC), CRX (Chapel Hill-Raleigh Express), DRX (Durham-Raleigh Express), FRX (Fuquay-Varina - Raleigh Express), HC (Hillsborough Circulator), NRX (North Raleigh Express), OCH (Orange - Chapel Hill Connector), ODX (Orange-Durham Express), RDU (RDU Shuttle), and multiple GoRaleigh routes such as 1 (Northgate-North Pointe-Croasdaile Crossings-Willowdale), 10 (South Square - New Hope Commons) [1].
Two other express buses, from Wake Forest and Zebulon, will use the station starting in November. RUS Bus cost $37.9 million, with funding from federal grants, state funds, and Wake County's transit tax.
The facility's strategic location at Raleigh Union Station is expected to increase vibrancy in the future. The city's only local bus station is located separately from Raleigh Union Station, but RUS Bus has been designed with the Union West tower in mind. The concrete shell of RUS Bus is designed to support the structures above it, including Union West, a planned apartment tower and parking deck [2].
RUS Bus is expected to ease crowding at GoRaleigh's main station at Moore Square and improve connections with the train station. As downtown Raleigh grows, the RUS Bus station is expected to make riding the bus a more attractive option for some people who might otherwise drive.
The station features six bays, room to park two additional buses, public restrooms, bike racks and lockers, and digital signs with real-time information about arrivals and departures. RUS Bus is more than just a bus station; it's a testament to the city's commitment to improving public transportation and creating a more connected, convenient, and sustainable city [3].
Sources:
[1] News & Observer. (2025, August 4). Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility opens, serving a comprehensive network of local and regional bus routes. Retrieved from https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article263317963.html
[2] GoTriangle. (2025, August 3). Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility opens, providing a nicer, more convenient experience for those traveling to or from downtown Raleigh. Retrieved from https://www.gotriangle.org/news/raleigh-union-station-bus-facility-opens
[3] City of Raleigh. (2025, August 3). Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility opens, marking a significant step forward in the city's public transportation system. Retrieved from https://www.raleighnc.gov/news/article/2025/raleigh-union-station-bus-facility-opens
[4] The News & Observer. (2025, August 3). Inside Look: Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility. Retrieved from https://www.newsobserver.com/features/inside-look/article263317964.html
- The strategic location of RUS Bus at Raleigh Union Station, a hub for transportation like rail and potentially future tech developments, is anticipated to boost the area's vibrancy.
- The increased convenience offered by RUS Bus, which serves a variety of bus routes operated by industry leaders GoTriangle and GoRaleigh, is expected to incentivize some people to leave their cars and resort to public transportation, contributing to a more sustainable city.
- In an effort to establish a conjoined transportation system, the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility (RUS Bus) is designed to support additional structures like Union West, a planned apartment tower and parking deck, furthering the intersection of finance, technology, and transportation.
