By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
GoTriangle’s newly appointed President and CEO, Dr. Brian Smith, has officially stepped into the role with a pragmatic focus on strengthening the foundation of the Triangle’s regional transit system.
At a press conference last Wednesday, Smith outlined his immediate priorities and long-term vision, emphasizing reliability, consistency, and collaboration as cornerstones for GoTriangle’s future success.
Smith takes the helm at a pivotal moment for GoTriangle, the regional transit agency serving Durham, Orange, and Wake counties. The agency is still regrouping following the resignation of former CEO Charles Lattuca and the collapse of long-anticipated commuter rail plans due to funding issues.
“Right now, the focus is on building a stable and mature organization and operation, and focusing on services we can deliver here in the near future,” Smith said. “There will be opportunities for the bigger picture stuff down the road.”
Smith, a U.S. Army veteran and former Deputy CEO at Hampton Roads Transit in Virginia, brings over 18 years of transit leadership experience. At Hampton Roads, he helped grow Virginia’s largest transit agency, overseeing both bus and light rail services and securing over $32 million annually in investments.
He also completed executive training at MIT Sloan and earned a doctorate in organizational leadership, with a focus on collaborative leadership—something GoTriangle’s board highlighted in their selection process.
“GoTriangle is very fortunate, I’m very fortunate, to have an outstanding team around me—a diverse and talented team,” Smith said. “Our mission every day is connecting people and the region with high-quality transit. That’s what we’re here to do and I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves.”
Smith made clear that before considering large-scale regional expansions, GoTriangle will concentrate on strengthening its core offerings. His first priority? Improving the reliability and frequency of the agency’s existing bus service.
GoTriangle is already in the midst of significant operational milestones. The new Raleigh Union Station Bus (RUSBus) facility, located on West Hargett Street, is set to open on July 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This multimodal hub will link regional bus routes with rail service, enhancing connectivity in downtown Raleigh.
In August, GoTriangle will implement a 15-minute frequency service for the first time on its Route 400 line, a vital link between downtown Durham and downtown Chapel Hill, including direct access to both cities’ major hospitals.
Additionally, the agency has selected a developer for a new mobility hub planned for the heart of Research Triangle Park. The project, expected to be completed by 2028, received a $25 million federal grant under the Biden Administration and is one of the cornerstones of GoTriangle’s three-year strategic plan.
With several Triangle cities pursuing their own Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiatives, regional coordination is becoming increasingly crucial. Raleigh is preparing to break ground on its first BRT line, Chapel Hill has secured key federal funding for its system, and Durham is in the early planning stages.
Smith supports these localized efforts and believes they must be proven successful before attempting to integrate them regionally.
“I think it’s important to deliver results initially, and then we will look at opportunities to perhaps connect those services across the region,” Smith said. “It’s a long game, but I think if we roll up our sleeves and stick with it, it’s going to prove out in the future.”
Smith is optimistic about continued federal investment in transit despite shifting political winds.
The agency’s leadership emphasized that the future of transit in the Triangle will rely heavily on partnership and shared purpose.
“Today marks a new chapter. We continue the mission to become the strongest and most profound regional transit system in the nation,” said Chief Communications Officer Eric Curry.
Former Raleigh Mayor and current Board Chair, Mary Baldwin, echoed that sentiment: “We can’t do this alone. This is about partnerships, and that’s part of why we’re here to celebrate. We all have that common purpose; that purpose is not just about transit. It’s about making our region one of the best places to work, play, and live in the country.”
Smith brings not just technical expertise but also a deeply personal motivation for public service. He credits a decades-old gift—a collection of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches and sermons—with shaping his leadership philosophy.
“And that has been a gift that has just kept on giving over the years,” Smith shared.
As GoTriangle moves forward with plans both immediate and long-term, Smith is embracing his role with humility, optimism, and readiness.
“I accept the charge and I’m very eager to be fully engaged with our regional partners and just continuing to work on the progress and the positive efforts that are already very much well underway,” he said.
