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This year, we’re excited to celebrate 50 years of providing public transportation. Since 1976, the City has helped residents access jobs, medical facilities, shopping and recreation opportunities. Today, the Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) provides more efficient and reliable service, completing nearly 1.6 million passenger trips each year.
FAST Director Tyffany Neal and her team remain committed to providing safe, accessible transportation options for all Fayetteville residents. A recent study that was presented to City Council this week found that while many transit systems experienced ridership declines over the past seven years, FAST saw a 6% increase in passenger trips. The study also identified opportunities to grow FAST service and strengthen connectivity across our City and the surrounding communities.
As we look to the future and the possibilities, FAST will continue to play an important role in connecting residents to jobs, services and destinations throughout Cumberland County. The study identified six potential regional express routes, including connections between Hope Mills and West Fayetteville, Fort Bragg and Fayetteville Regional Airport, and Spring Lake and Fayetteville. These potential routes would provide faster, limited-stop service between key destinations, helping FAST meet growing demand and improve mobility across the City and County.
FAST looks very different from what it did 50 years ago, and so does our City. As Fayetteville has grown and evolved, City leaders and City Councils have continued to set priorities that move our community forward and respond to the needs of our residents. FAST’s growth is just one example of how our City continues to adapt and plan for the future.
Mayor Mitch Colvin will host the State of the City Address, where he will share where our city is headed and how City Council priorities are shaping decisions that impact our everyday lives. I encourage you to join us Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall or tune in live on FayTV to hear how City leaders are positioning Fayetteville to move forward with purpose.
It’s that time again to spring your clocks forward, which is a great time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to keep you safe.
Have a great weekend!
Best,
Dr. Douglas J. Hewett
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