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7 <br />Attachment 2 <br />Summarv of Public Comments on the Oranqe Countv Transit Plan <br />Comments Expressed at the April 3~d Public Hearing: <br />• Support for the passenger rail station in Hillsborough; <br />• Concern that the plan disproportionately benefits some areas of the county <br />over others, show county population distribution; <br />• Requests that citizens be given more time to consider and evaluate the <br />plan. What process to provide input and to make changes to percentage <br />distribution; <br />• The need to improve public awareness of the plan and offer a less formal <br />setting for citizens to ask questions and give feedback. Add two Open <br />House meetings in April; <br />• Requests that the plan consider the elderly population in the county and <br />their access to transit option; and <br />• Concern relating to the financial aspects of the plan including, the need for <br />increases taxes, and the plans reliance on Federal funding; <br />Comments Expressed at the April 17th Public Hearing: <br />~ Support for the passenger rail station in Hillsborough; <br />• Requests to improve mobility for rural residents working in the urban areas <br />of Orange County <br />• Requests that the referendum isn't delayed until 2013 <br />• Support for the transit plan and holding the sales tax referendum <br />• Expressions that buses aren't enough to handle traffic congestion and the <br />projected future growth; need rail <br />• Support for the expanded night and weekend bus service elements of the <br />plan <br />• Requests that the Commissioners consider not only what will make the <br />region bigger, such as light rail, but what might make it better, such as loan <br />guarantee programs for fuel efficient cars <br />• Encouragement for Commissioners to hold the referendum on the ballot <br />from UNC students who rely on transit to attend classes, community events <br />and social functions <br />• Appreciation that the Commissioners are taking the time to hear comments <br />through this hearing and the open houses <br />• Support for the light rail element of the plan <br />• Comments questioning the economic drivers of the plan and that those <br />outside Orange County might benefit more than those inside the County <br />