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8 <br /> (d) Responsibility of Triangle Transit for direct disbursement of funds from the revenues <br /> received per Section V (above)to the public agency responsible for implementing the bus <br /> services set forth in the Plan; and <br /> (e) Other necessary provisions regarding implementation of this Plan as agreed to by the <br /> County, the MPO, and Triangle Tr nsit.^ <br /> Items a, b, and e directly affect the MPO and items e and d are critical to the implementation of the plan <br /> and the MPO's Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The DCHC MPO is clearly affected by the <br /> agreement, and therefore we believe it should be a full party to the agreement. <br /> Of primary concern to the MPO is the process for review and vote by the County, MPO, and Triangle <br /> Transit on any changes to the plan. The Durham-Orange rail transit corridor project is the most costly <br /> single project im the MPO'sLRTP and it cannot be implemented without the local, state, and federal <br /> funding as outlined in the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plain. Further, the Bus and Rail <br /> Investment Plan also includes funding for future local and regional bus services that are commitments in <br /> our LRTP important to the MPO's member agencies, and critical to the success of the rail system. The <br /> MPO has a high degree of interest in making sure that these bus and rail projects are implemented. Any <br /> changes to the Bus and Rail Investment Plan must be approved by the MPO, must be consistent with our <br /> LRTP, and must also be included in the MPO's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as they are <br /> funded. As such, the MPO must be a part of developing the language in the implementation Agreement <br /> that describes the process for changing the plan and this language must require Orange County and <br /> Triangle Transit to coordinate with the MPO. In short, we believe that the DCHC MPO needs to be a full <br /> party to the Implementation Agreement for the Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan. This <br /> would best ensure that the MPO's interests are protected. <br /> We understand that Orange County has concerns that if the MPO were a party to the agreement, the <br /> MPO may be able to change the Bus and Rail investment Plan without Orange County's approval. This is <br /> not the case. The Congestion Relief and Intermodal Transport Fund Act(HB 148)requires that the plan <br /> be approved by the County, Triangle Transit, and the MPO. None of the parties can adopt or change the <br /> plan unilaterally. North Carolina House Bill 148 required approval by all three because each has an <br /> important role in transit planning and implementation. We believe that the development of the plan <br /> has benefitted from close collaboration between the three parties and we believe that continuing this <br /> close collaboration will only serve to improve the plan and successfully implement the bus and rail <br /> projects in the plan. <br /> We are competing with other regions across the country for limited federal transit funding. /t is critical <br /> to be able to demonstrate to the federal government that our plan was developed collaboratively and is <br /> supported by local jurisdictions and transit operators, The DCHC MPO TAC is a forum for regional <br /> collaboration between counties, municipaiities,Triangle Transit, and state and federal agencies. We <br /> have had a history of coliegial discussion on issues of regional importance at TAC meetings. Including <br /> the D[H[ MPO as a party to the Implementation Agreement will help continue the successful regional <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />