If you live in downtown Raleigh, you’re already sold on the ease and excitement of urban dwelling. If you’re living in the ‘burbs, chances are you venture in to take advantage of the delicious dining, entertainment, shopping and family activities that fill the downtown scene.
This article featured in Midtown MagazineAnd if you’re a daily commuter, you’ve probably figured out your favorite place to get coffee or pick up flowers for your lovely wife before you head for home.
Regardless of where you rest your head, this holiday season you’ll find it easier than ever to get around downtown. The old reliables continue to make navigating the city a breeze and a new addition makes heading out of town as simple as swiping a card. And an added benefit? All the transportation options we’ve highlighted are green, helping to make downtown Raleigh a more environmentally friendly city.
Here’s what you need to know:
WeCar
WeCar, a division of Enterprise, is the newest method of transportation to hit downtown. This not-your-traditional-rental-car service provides downtown Raleigh residents with access to fuel-efficient rental cars that are available for a minimum of one hour or a maximum of 24 hours for a low hourly rate. This car-sharing community is especially enticing to those who need a car to scoot around town for some holiday errands or take an afternoon outing to visit friends.
Getting your car couldn’t be simpler. Just visit the WeCar website and request to join the downtown Raleigh car-sharing community. After your request is processed, stop by the local Enterprise office, where they’ll take a peek at your valid driver’s license and in exchange, give you your membership card. You’re ready to rent.
When the need for the car arises, log on and reserve your vehicle. You’ll be directed to the location of your car, currently either West at North Condos on Harrington Street (conveniently, an R-Line stop) or at the Enterprise office on McDowell, where the swipe of your card will grant access to your vehicle. Once your rental period is over, return the car to its original spot.
“WeCar is ideally structured for city living, offering accessibility without commitment. This in turn helps the city, by reducing the amount of cars on the road, fuel consumption, air quality and the number of parking spaces required,” says Adam Schneider, Regional Vice President for Enterprise.
Triangle Segway
Experience Raleigh from a slightly different angle by taking advantage of a tour offered by Triangle Segway. Whether it’s your holiday houseguests, an event for your business, or you and your family wanting to get out and explore Raleigh, a Triangle Segway tour is the ideal way to spend a couple of hours. After a brief training session, where you’ll be provided with helmets and a wireless audio pack so you can hear your guide’s narration, you’ll be ready to glide across the city. Tour options include an Experience Tour, with sights such as the NC State Capital, Governor’s Mansion and City Market, a Raleigh’s Great Romance Tour, including Oakwood Cemetery, and NC State.
Raleigh Rickshaw
Since 2007, Raleigh Rickshaw has provided a unique and eco friendly form of free transportation for diners, bar hoppers, newlyweds, families and tourists across downtown Raleigh through the use of pedal cabs. “As a matter of fact, last year Raleigh Rickshaw had over 80,500 riders and drivers peddled over 15,000 hours,” says owner Donald Mertrud. An amazing achievement, but one that will be bypassed by the time you’ve read this sentence.
With over 20 Raleigh Rickshaws traveling between the five downtown districts, getting from point A to point B is both fast and smooth. While you always have the option of flagging down an empty rickshaw to take you from the restaurant to the show or from the museum to the art gallery, Raleigh Rickshaw does have a dispatch service available by telephone or easily accessible on-line, so it’s easy to make a reservation. And who doesn’t love the invigorating, fresh air of a cool night under city lights as you take in the downtown landscape? It’s the ideal mode for getting around when it’s too close to hop in the car and just little too far for a walk.
If Mertrud has his way, soon, Raleigh Rickshaw drivers won’t be the only ones pedaling around downtown Raleigh. Raleigh Rickshaw is working in conjunction with the City of Raleigh to launch a public use bicycle program. Stayed tune for more information.
R- Line
Yet another environmentally friendly approach to urban transportation, the R-Line is about to celebrate its second anniversary. This free circulator service, which means that it “circulates” around a defined community instead of traveling far distances, features hybrid electric buses that will connect you to restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, museums, hotels and parking facilities in downtown Raleigh.
Two green and blue buses run every 10-15 minutes, with a route that circles from the Convention Center to Seaboard Station and Glenwood South during the day, then expands to include the Warehouse District and City Market in the evening, making the R-Line an uncomplicated, convenient and enjoyable way to run errands during lunch, be transported to your favorite shop, connect with friends for drinks or just get a ride home. You’ll know you’ve found an R-Line stop, for the signs sport the big “R” logo.
J&L Carriage
For over ten years, J&L Carriage has been offering rides to downtown residents and visitors. You’ll find the carriages in the mall between the museums the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month, where you can just walk up and hop on, enjoying a family ride or a narrated tour of the city. Rides are also available for your more romantic occasions, weddings, festivals, parties and even funerals by appointment. And for those of you with younger children, be sure and ask about Marbles, J&L’s miniature horse, who pulls a miniature carriage.
This article was written by Ilyse Lane for the Midtown Magazine, and was featured in their November / December edition. The Midtown Magazine is now online! Visit them at www.midtownmag.com.