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31 <br /> ATTACHMENT 6 <br /> 2. New Regional Mebane-Orange-Durham Express (MODE) Route <br /> a. Rationale: The County Commissioners have voiced an interest for <br /> a west-east route that will service the county from Mebane to <br /> Efland to Hillsborough to Durham/Duke (along the US 70 corridor). <br /> Transit, including a park-and-ride lot is also supported by the <br /> adopted Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan and adopted Eno Small <br /> Area Plan. The Efland-Mebane Small Area Plan specifically states <br /> that the county should work cooperatively with Triangle Transit <br /> Authority (TTA) to provide bus service in the area. <br /> b. Type: Regional express service <br /> C. Service Options: 14-hr. full-day; or 8-hr. mid-day <br /> d. Route Variations: <br /> i. MODE Route operated under contract by OPT, with stops in <br /> Mebane, Efland, Hillsborough, and Durham/Duke (utilizing US <br /> 70 for the majority of the route) <br /> ii. MODE Route operated under contract by OPT, with stops in <br /> Mebane, Hillsborough and Durham/Duke (utilizing 1-85 for the <br /> majority of the route) <br /> iii. Partial MODE Route from Hillsborough to Durham/Duke <br /> operated by TTA (utilizing 1-85 for the majority of the route) <br /> iv. Partial MODE Route from Mebane to Efland to Hillsborough <br /> operated by OPT (utilizing US 70) <br /> e. Route Variation Note: TTA proposes that this route not stop in <br /> Efland and utilize 1-85 for the majority of the route to meet its <br /> criteria for a regional express route. Orange County's preference is <br /> that this route utilize US 70 for the majority of the route. Staff has <br /> reviewed the existing TTA Durham Station to Chapel Hill Route 405 <br /> and Chapel Hill to Raleigh Express Route (CRX) regional express <br /> routes referenced in the OCBRIP. By comparison with the 405 and <br /> the CRX, the MODE route, as proposed by Orange County has the <br /> shortest run time, fewer overall stops, and time periods between <br /> stops that are well within the range of these other TTA regional <br /> express routes. Therefore, the MODE route, with the included stop <br /> in Efland, appears to be consistent with the regional express route <br /> concept and criteria as intended in the OCBRIP. <br /> e. Associated Capital Expenditures: OPT will need a new 27- <br /> passenger bus for this route, or two new buses or two new buses to <br /> run the full route with more frequent runs. <br /> f. Funding- By TTA with its 24% share per OCBRIP <br /> g. Annual Route Option Service Costs <br /> (Note: Same cost but fewer runs on full route vs. half route): <br /> i. OPT's annual estimated costs for operating the full Mebane- <br /> Efland-Hillsborough-Durham/Duke full MODE Route is estimated <br /> as follows: <br />