Agenda - 12-08-2011 - Attachment 2

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12. What is the backeround rationale for the eastern route from UNC towards Hwv 54 and then NNE alone I-40 to 15-501 instead of a more direct UNC to 15 501 route? In combination has a BRT line been examined in the Hwv 54 corridor or similar alternative analvsis scenarios? This question was raised by the Chapel Hill Town Manager during the Transitional Analysis phase at the beginning of the Alternatives Analysis process. Triangle Transit and consultant staff put together a memo detailed why the MPO chose the preferred alignment over the Fordham Blvd/15-501 approach to campus. It is attached to this document as Exhibit D. Independent from the Alternatives Analysis conducted by Triangle Transit, the Town of Chapel Hill studied an enhanced form of bus service that it referred to as "BRT" along the 15-501 Fordham Blvd corridor from exit 273 west towards campus passing Sage Rd and Europa Drive. This concept would offer some improvement in bus travel times and reliability, but is not considered true Bus Rapid Transit by the definitions used in Triangle Transit's alternative analysis. According to this definition, true Bus Rapid Transit operates in its own, permanent, exclusive right-of-way and is not subject to interference by automobiles. The guideway provides the ability for express buses to pass at ALL station locations at full freeway speeds. Off-board fare payment is the norm, with no time lost during boarding for passengers to put payments into the farebox. Information about these concepts can be found in the Chapel Hill Transit Master Plan, which has not been adopted. 13. Please provide the various financial scenarios with reference to 2011 tax dollars or 2035 dollars or some other clearly explained footnote so the financial plan can be monitored accordinely. As there is presently no adopted version of the Orange County plan, we have provided the most recent vital statistics of the financial plan that was discussed in June 2011 at the Orange County BoCC. This is included as Exhibit E. 14. Ensure how no financial liability would befall the county beyond stated revenue sources includine debt capacity. The plan is built around the revenues in the model; requiring no additional funding outside of the model to execute the plan. If for some reason any of the revenue streams in the model were not performing, the overall plan outcomes would be reconsidered and revised to stay within the available revenues. 15. How much bus service can be provided if there is no state monev and no federal monev for rail?