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June 22nd. She said that staffs have given good overviews tonight. She suggested having a <br /> discussion and moving forward on June 21St <br /> Chair Pelissier said that she would like to see comments on the balance of the <br /> additional bus hours and the capital expenditures and if this plan meets the needs of the <br /> Orange County residents. The other area is the cost sharing and what is being proposed. <br /> She said that they might want to consider the varying costs of the light rail line versus bus <br /> hours. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that there seems to be a significant increase in bus hours in <br /> the first three years. He asked what these usage projections were based on. <br /> Craig Benedict said that the total plan is 75,000 hours distributed regionally, locally, <br /> etc., and there are several iterations. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that if there is any part of this plan that he supports it is the <br /> bus component. He said that he is concerned that routes and bus hours are going to be <br /> increased without an increase in unique riders. <br /> Craig Benedict explained that this will be reevaluated as it becomes a living document. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that the Chapel Hill Transit system is fare free and he asked <br /> if it is sustainable in the long run to have a fare free system. <br /> Patrick McDonough said that the key point is that the fare is being paid for by taxes but <br /> this policy drives the ridership. It is the assumption that only Chapel Hill Transit will remain fare <br /> free. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that this is overwhelming since he has not been involved in <br /> this process over time. He asked to see a chart with the numbers of the different levels of <br /> spending. He said that this financial plan assumes something greater than 90% funding is <br /> coming from someone else. He asked if there was a Plan B if the 90% disappears. <br /> David King said that this is the question that is on everyone's mind. He said that they <br /> are on version 8 of this plan. If the funding falls through, then there would only be buses and <br /> no light rail. <br /> Discussion ensued on the different financial iterations. <br /> Chair Pelissier asked for Commissioner Gordon's perception on bus hours with this <br /> financial plan. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she would like for the County Commissioners to look at <br /> the information and give her some feedback. She would like to move forward as a Board with <br /> this when there is consensus. This plan is important for mobility and for the environment. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that the County Commissioners should keep in mind that both the <br /> Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro have endorsed this financial plan, which means that they <br /> like the number of bus hours. This is an important point. The Town of Hillsborough has not <br /> yet reviewed it. UNC is also supportive of this financial plan. There certainly needs to be <br /> public input on the bus plan. <br /> Commissioner Foushee said she agreed with all the points made by Commissioner <br /> Gordon and she would not want to miss an opportunity to put a plan forward. She said that <br /> she has some of the same concerns as Commissioner McKee related to what to expect from <br /> the federal government. As the region grows, she wants the County to be a part of the <br /> planning process. She wants to move forward with a transportation plan that works for Orange <br /> County. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that, for the most part, he agreed with Commissioner <br /> Foushee. He also wants to ratify the comment that the Chair made regarding the fact that the <br /> Board has not heard from the public yet. He said that he would like to try and have a schedule <br /> to make a decision in some manner that the County Commissioners can signal to Durham <br /> County so that it can put it on the ballot knowing that Orange County is supportive too. He <br /> said that no one can predict the future, but they should try and get to a place where they are <br /> 15 <br />