Jessi Morton, News Editor 

A plan to make Greensboro car-optional by 2045 has been finalized and was presented to the Transportation Advisory Committee on March 12, 2025. The plan, called GoBORO, has been published online for public comment, and while not many responses were received for the full document, community involvement was crucial for developing the plan. Over the course of creating the plan, over 3000 Greensboro-area residents responded to surveys, and their input suggested high levels of support for funding transit improvements. 

The GoBORO plan involves long-term plans to improve accessibility and efficiency of public transportation in Greensboro. Some aspects of the plan have already been implemented, including the new “CrossMax” series of crosstown routes. Route 1 CrossMax Purple started service in March 2024. According to the Greensboro Transit Authority, “Buses depart every 15 minutes, reducing wait times in between. Longer service hours on weekends provide more flexibility in times of travel. And unlike other GTA routes, riders experience a one-seat ride without the need to change buses at the Depot.” 

Next steps in the GoBORO plan involve the creation of additional CrossMax lines, specifically a North-South Crosstown (CrossMax Orange Line) serving Church Street and Randleman Road, as well as extended evening and weekend service. According to information presented to the Transportation Advisory Committee, “Analysis indicates full implementation of the plan would have benefits, including a 154% increase in jobs reachable by transit for a typical resident. 90,000 people would have access to frequent service (every 15 minutes or better). 10,000 more households would gain access to transit. Significant reductions in wait times, improved travel speed, and better connections across the city would also be achieved.” 

Despite these promising projections, there are still hurdles for the plan to overcome before it will be fully implemented. Now that the Transportation Advisory Committee has finalized the plan, it still needs to go before the Greensboro City Council. After that, additional voter engagement would be necessary. 

The proposed primary funding source for the GoBORO plan would be “a ½-cent sales tax under Article 43 (similar to Mecklenburg, Durham, Orange, and Wake counties) is recommended for consideration. This would be estimated to generate $45 million per year (2024 dollars), growing to $92 million per year by 2040. […] The sales tax would cost the average household ~$9/month. In comparison to other spending, Households in Greensboro spend $1.2 billion per year on automobiles. The region spends $300 million per year on highways. The proposed transit tax would be just 2% of overall transportation spending.” 

If approved by the Greensboro City Council, the plan would then need a countywide plan and additional approvals from Metropolitical Planning Organizations for other cities in the area, as well as approval from the Guilford County Commission. Finally, the plan would also require “Guilford County approval of a ballot measure for the ½-cent sales tax following a public hearing. This process could take 1-2 years to complete. If the end result is a successful voter referendum the implementation, improvements would be phased in over a 10+ year period.” 

According to reporting by Cassie Fambro for Fox8, GTA Specialist Kevin Elwood said that “The last two to three years, the city has placed a major emphasis on transit, recognizing the importance of it … especially the role it will play in making the city car-optional by 2045 […] What it means is you have a system of transportation options that are so robust, you can leave your car at home anytime.” 

While environmental protections at the federal level are uncertain, local efforts toward sustainable, accessible transportation systems are still a priority for many people, including Greensboro city leadership. 

The Carolinian has also reported on other growth, development, and sustainability efforts in Greensboro and Guilford County, including previous Growth and Development Trends Reports as well as projects to assist Greensboro’s unhoused population. 

Other Links: 

https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/62150/638774591872670000

https://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/transit/goboro-greensboro-s-long-range-transit-plan