This is NOT what we said. Please stop mis-characterizing our response. It is NOT OK for our bus drivers to exceed the speed limit and it was not our intention to imply that with the response to the other issue. Once again, the driver was not aware or paying attention to the fact that there is a speed zone here. The speed limit on Hillsborough Street is 35. The speed limit a few blocks east of here entering downtown is 35. The change in speed limit for a very small section of this street explains why the driver was mistakenly driving within the 35 mph speed limit but does not excuse it. There are almost no places anywhere in Raleigh where a bus route traverses a street with a 25 mph speed limit, so the driver thought they were traveling safely within the 35 mph limit that they experience virtually everywhere in the city. The driver was simply not aware that they were caught in a speed zone. What we are going to do about this is enhance our training for all drivers who operate on this route to make sure they are aware, and stay within, the 25 mph speed limit.

I am not sure whether this was a serious inquiry about changing speed limits, but should citizens wish to petition that the speed limit be changed, generally this process involves submitting a petition to the Public Works Department for consideration by City Council. This process is described more fully here:

http://www.raleighnc.gov/services/content/PWksTrafficEng/Articles/NeighborhoodTrafficMan.html

The highest speed viewed via AVL through the 25 mph zone was 34, the average of the six recorded speeds was 28.8. We do recognize that this is not acceptable and we will be addressing this directly with the employee identified, with a memo to appropriate parties, as well as discussing this during our upcoming safety meetings.

EXCUSES EXCUSES! This is unbelievable. The City is defending its speeding employees. These are pathetic excuses. You say the bus driver is not aware? NOT AWARE?!? A bus driver not aware?!! What the heck is she driving a bus for if she is not aware of what the rules of the road are on her route?

We think we have resolved this issue - supervisors are on site in this area regularly now, and are monitoring for compliance. We have addressed with all drivers in safety meetings.