Transportation

Transportation Planning

The City of Wilmington leads the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to conduct regional transportation planning.

Bike and pedestrian facilities, including the Cross City Trail map, is available on the city’s GIS portal. Visit the Bicycle and Pedestrian facility map to find a facility or trail near you.

Trails and Routes

• The Cross City Trail reaches many neighborhoods, parks and employment centers. Many sections are off the road on a multi-use path. The Cross City Trail is a great way to explore the city by bike.
• Follow the historic streetcar line route from downtown Wilmington to Wrightsville beach by following the River To The Sea Bikeway Map.
• East Coast Greenway is a 2,900 mile route from Maine to Florida, passing through Wilmington, NC.
• Riverwalk is a great way to build an understanding of the connection between the city and the Cape Fear River. View the Wilmington Riverwalk Map to plan your visit.

Public Transportation, Carpool and Vanpool

• The regional public transportation authority, WAVE Transit, operates several fixed bus routes and contracts to offer a vanpool service, called WAVE pool.
• A state-wide carpool matching program is available through Share the Ride NC.
• Three newly marked Park and Ride lots are located in Leland, NC. The lots are located on the Brunswick Connector route and available to community members who carpool, vanpool or utilize public transportation. The lots are located at the Food Lion on Mt. Misery Road near US 74/76, the Lowes Foods near Brunswick Forest and the Leland Town Hall.
• Vanpools are available to area employers or groups through WAVE Transit’s ‘WAVE Pool’. Contact WAVE Transit for more details.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

The City of Wilmington was selected to participate in the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Load Progress Energy Research Project managed by Progress Energy in 2011 for a period of two years. Progress Energy purchased and installed an Eaton Level 2 Charging Station in the Market Street parking deck. In June 2013, ownership of the station was transferred to the city. Although the city charges for the parking time, the electricity is not charged to the user due to North Carolina restrictions on third-party sales of electricity in a regulated utility landscape.

Fleet Operations

The Public Services’ Fleet of approximately 89 vehicles were outfitted with Global Positioning System technology in 2014. The GPS devices were installed to promote efficiency and asset management. In FY2016, City Council approved the purchase and installation of GPS units for the remainder of the fleet, approximately 550 vehicles.