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2. Update on Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Grant Agreement: (a) Operating <br /> Assistance for Proposed Intra-Hillsborough Public Transit Route and (b) Capital <br /> Expenses for DTCC Orange Campus Park and Ride Lot <br /> Department on Aging Director Jerry Passmore said that he and Transportation Planner <br /> Karen Lincoln along with Margaret Hauth have looked at transportation in the Hillsborough <br /> area, which has one of the highest concentrations of seniors. He said that they are excited <br /> about including transportation in this area and this will allow people to use public transportation <br /> rather than their own cars. The primary connecting point is the park and ride lot at Durham <br /> Tech. For an eight-hour run, it would cost $45.51 per hour. He made reference to Attachment <br /> 2 and went through this information. <br /> Karen Lincoln said that one of the reasons for this revised application is because the <br /> original route was primarily between Durham Tech and the downtown justice facility area and <br /> at that time they had proposed a more extensive route. The 420 Hillsborough-Chapel Hill <br /> route is doing that now so it is covering the initial intent. <br /> Jerry Passmore pointed out the route on page 9 and said that the intent of each stop is <br /> to cover the northern part of Hillsborough and making a loop. The route runs about 55 <br /> minutes. He said that he tried to put stops in areas where people would likely go. The goal is <br /> to make this route convenient. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that the fare is so nominal and he asked if there had been <br /> any discussion about making this fare-free. Jerry Passmore said that they did not think about <br /> this, in these economic times. <br /> Frank Clifton said that this might be a decision that the Town would need to make <br /> because they are going to ask the Town to subsidize the operational costs (page 7). <br /> Margaret Hauth said that when the application was made by Orange County it was that <br /> Hillsborough would share the match and she does not think it was the Town's expectation to <br /> fund the full match requirement. <br /> Hillsborough Manager Eric Peterson asked if there would be benefits to the County as <br /> far as parking issues. <br /> Commissioner Nelson asked for a copy of the record about the commitment by Orange <br /> County. <br /> Frank Clifton said that Orange County does not participate in the transit system in the <br /> southern part of the County, so the plan was to not do it in the northern part. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that presumably people would pick this route up in a <br /> neighborhood. He suggested approaching DMV about using the parking lot and having people <br /> park there and pick up the bus. He also asked why they would give free bus rides to those 65 <br /> and older, but charge for people too young to drive. <br /> Jerry Passmore said that the reasoning nationally is that older adults are more transit <br /> dependent and are usually on fixed incomes. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to see more consideration for younger <br /> people that do not drive. <br /> Frank Clifton suggested creating annual passes for a nominal fee. <br /> Jerry Passmore said that the local match could be paid back by the fares. <br /> Commissioner Gordon asked about the indirect costs and if they are included. Jerry <br /> Passmore said that they will be included when they get the final numbers. Commissioner <br /> Gordon said that 22% is significant and this needs to be worked out before the grant is <br /> submitted so that the indirect costs can be included. <br /> Jerry Passmore said that OPT's costs are only about half of what Chapel Hill's costs <br /> are. <br />