GoCary Will Remain Fare-Free Through June 2026 — Here’s How to Take Full Advantage

Good news for Cary residents: GoCary has extended its fare-free service through June 2026.

The GoCary bus system has been fare-free since 2020, and while many residents have taken advantage of that fact (ln 2024, 441,596 passengers utilized GoCary, a 21% increase from 2023), there are still many that aren’t aware of how it might be useful for them.

If you’ve never used GoCary, or haven’t tried it in a while, here’s a quick guide to what it offers and how to make it work for you.

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What Is GoCary?

GoCary is the Town of Cary’s public bus system, offering fixed-route service throughout Cary and connections to regional transit systems like GoTriangle, GoRaleigh, and GoApex.

There are currently six main routes, with stops near major shopping centers, neighborhoods, parks, medical facilities, libraries, and more. In addition to those main routes, there is also a route that runs Thursday-Sunday continuously going through downtown called Downtown Loop, which is especially useful during big events when parking is limited.

In addition to the fixed-route system, GoCary also provides door-to-door services for eligible seniors and residents with disabilities. Note that fees may apply for some of these services.

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Where You Can Go (For Free)

A few destinations you can easily access using GoCary include:

• Downtown Cary (Cary Regional Library, Downtown Park, Town Hall)
• Waverly Place
• WakeMed Cary Hospital
• Major grocery stores like Walmart, Aldi, and Harris Teeter
• Bond Park and Cary Senior Center

GoCary also connects to other transit systems if you need to get to Raleigh, Apex, Durham, or RTP (note that fees may apply on the other bus systems).

Type in any address that you’d like to go to on https://www.gocarylive.org/, and you can quickly figure out which bus to take and when it is arriving.

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Planning Your Trip

The GoCary app is the easiest way to plan your trip. Just type in your starting location and destination, and the app will show you exactly which routes to take, including transfers if needed. It also provides real-time bus tracking so you’ll know when your bus is approaching.

You can also plan routes using Google Maps or the TransLoc app, but the official GoCary app is the most tailored to Cary’s system. You can download it on iOS here and Android here.

If you’re on your computer or don’t want to download the app, GoCaryLive is a website that has much of the same functionality of the app.

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Tips for Making the Most of GoCary

• Avoid traffic during events. During popular events like Lazy Daze or Spring Daze, using the bus means no worrying about road closures or finding a parking spot.
• Bike + bus = more range. All GoCary buses come equipped with bike racks, so you can ride to a stop and finish your trip on two wheels. Great for exploring new greenways!
• Try it for your commute. If your office or co-working space is near a route, you might be able to cut your gas costs significantly.

It goes without saying that using GoCary will almost certainly take more time than driving a car. While it can be a great way to save on gas, lower your carbon footprint, and provide options for individuals that don’t drive, it likely won’t be able to replace every trip that you do in town for most people. The GoCary app will tell you the estimated time it will take for you to reach your destination, so make sure you plan ahead if you need to be somewhere at a certain time!

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Why This Matters

Cary has grown steadily over the past few years, and with that growth comes more cars, more traffic, and more need for reliable transportation alternatives. GoCary is one of the few services that is both accessible and 100% free, which is something most towns do not offer. You have nothing to lose by trying it out if you haven’t already.

Taking the bus even once or twice a week can save you money, reduce your environmental impact, and help you feel more connected to your community. Even if you don’t want to attempt to replace any of your daily commutes via the bus, it can be a great way to get to many of the events in Cary without having to worry about parking or traffic.

You can visit GoCary’s website to learn more here.

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