A New Route Forward: $3 Million Grant Launches Raleigh–Rocky Mount Commuter Bus Service

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has allocated a $3 million grant to assist in the start of a weekday commuter bus service connecting Rocky Mount and Raleigh, marking a significant step toward regional connectivity. The new service, which is intended to run during peak traffic times, will provide people of Rocky Mount and the surrounding areas with dependable access to Triangle employment, healthcare, and educational options without the inconvenience or cost of daily driving.

The project is a first for the region and may serve as a model for other public transportation initiatives in eastern North Carolina.

“This investment opens doors for people who want to work or go to school in Raleigh but live here in Rocky Mount,” said city officials in the July 2025 press release. “It’s about equity, mobility, and making the region stronger together.”

Rocky Mount is situated in a crucial area that separates the state's rural and urban areas. Even though the Triangle has numerous local benefits, many residents have moved west for opportunities due to job growth and economic development in the area. Those without a car or ridesharing choices have faced significant obstacles to upward mobility for years.

Those obstacles are directly addressed by the commuter bus program. It will:

o   Lower the cost of transportation for employees that commute from Rocky Mount to Raleigh.

o   Reduce the amount of traffic on US Highway 64.

o   Reduce emissions by providing a more environmentally friendly option to single-occupant cars.

o   Enhance access to transportation for locals who wish to stay in the area in order to support talent retention.

Rocky Mount will be the starting and finishing point of the bus route, with stops along the way contingent on approved plans. Planning is under process, and city officials anticipate service to start within the next year, though the precise launch date has not yet been disclosed.

The goal of this grant is to establish Rocky Mount as a transit hub that links eastern North Carolina with more expansive urban areas, even though it only supports one commuter route.

Long-term objectives include extending east and south beyond the Raleigh route to encompass towns like Wilson, Greenville, Roanoke Rapids, and even Wilmington. As a result, Rocky Mount would be in the middle of an expanding mobility corridor, which would be perfect for future tourism, job creation, and local business growth.

Rocky Mount is in a unique position to fulfill this function. The city is situated at the crossroads of U.S. 64 and Interstate 95, approximately 45 miles east of Raleigh, making it a convenient location for both road and rail connectivity.

This is not the first time that Rocky Mount has tried to find innovative solutions to transit problems.

Microtransit, a flexible on-demand shuttle service akin to rideshare applications, is one of the alternative transportations options the city has investigated in recent years. Even though those initial attempts were eventually shelved because of the high estimated costs (more than $24 million over seven years), they showed that local officials were clearly eager to reconsider conventional bus routes and look at equity-driven alternatives.

With state-level funding and robust regional backing, the new commuter bus service is now poised to become a more economical and scalable means of serving Rocky Mount's expanding workforce and population.

In addition to being convenient, the award assists Rocky Mount in resolving historical economic and social injustices. For access to necessary services, a large number of elderly persons, low-income locals, and individuals with disabilities depend on public transit. In addition to fostering ecologically conscious architecture, this project builds a link between marginalized communities and metropolitan resources.

“This is about more than transportation,” said one local stakeholder. “It’s about showing that Rocky Mount is ready to grow, to connect, and to invest in its people.”

The bus route, cost, and launch schedule are currently being finalized by city officials in collaboration with community partners and transportation planners. Although a precise start date has not been specified, excitement is growing, and Rocky Mount is well on its way to becoming a more resilient, mobile, and connected community now that funding has been obtained.

Quick Facts: Raleigh–Rocky Mount Commuter Bus

• Funding: $3 million grant from NCDOT

• Launch Date: TBD (expected within 12 months)

• Service: Weekday commuter hours

• Route: Rocky Mount to Raleigh via U.S. 64 corridor

• Impact Areas: Economic access, workforce growth, transit equity

  
  

In the history of Rocky Mount's transportation, this is only the start of what may turn out to be a revolutionary chapter. As the wheels start spinning, both literally and figuratively, the city is announcing that Rocky Mount is moving.