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Talbert; Cheryl Young <br /> Subject: Questions/ comments on Oct. 1, 2013 agenda <br /> Questions/ comments on Oct. 1, 2013 agenda <br /> 6a - ROAP grant application <br /> My understanding from the abstract is that the $92,624 in RGP funds will be used for <br /> the Hillsborough-Chapel Hill route and for the Hillsborough circulator route. <br /> How much will be allocated to each of these routes? Are there any other general public routes <br /> that will receive these funds? <br /> The abstract refers to the "development of the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill public route, no <br /> longer funded through Triangle Transit....." <br /> Please clarify what this means. My understanding was that Triangle Transit did fund the <br /> morning and evening service on this route, but that OPT funded the mid-day service. How are <br /> these services funded now? <br /> Staff Response: <br /> Although not clearly stated in the abstract, to clarify, Triangle Transit still funds the <br /> morning and evening service for the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill route; however, the RGP <br /> funds the County receives are partially used to support the midday service for that route. <br /> RGP funds are not used at all for the Hillsborough Circulator bus service. The <br /> Hillsborough Circulator route is financially supported exclusively through a Federal <br /> CMAQ grant and the Town of Hillsborough's matching contribution. Other uses of RGP <br /> funds by OPT in the county include: <br /> 1) Rural general public demand response trips; <br /> 2) Demand response medical trips for the disabled who do not qualify for the <br /> Elderly/Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP); and <br /> 3) Two fixed routes designed to transport persons with disabilities for employment trips <br /> that are also open to the general public on a seat-available basis. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if this is a competitive grant and if there is an expected <br /> amount to be received. <br /> Craig Benedict said the County can reasonably expect over $200,000. He said this is <br /> not too competitive, since OPT is the only rural entity providing transportation in this area. He <br /> said there is legislation out there that may make this more competitive in the future. <br /> Commissioner Price asked about the $3.00 per trip co-pay, and questioned whether <br /> Craig Benedict is aware of the percentage of residents that are unable to pay that amount. <br /> Craig said he does not know a percentage. He said that OPT allows free companion <br /> trips for residents taking a trip for medical reasons. He said over 116,000 one way passenger <br /> trips are served per year. He said this isn't a source of revenue for the program; it simply <br /> covers the segment of the population that is not elderly or being covered by Medicare costs. <br /> He said this cost is being analyzed to see if there are any other support mechanisms to reduce <br /> the amount. <br /> Commissioner Price noted that the cost is $3 for one way, and she asked if many <br /> people use the service only for one way. <br /> Craig Benedict said it varies, and it is not 100 percent two way trips. <br />