Agenda - 09-11-2014 - 1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 • Option #2 involves one -hour directional headways for the U.S. 70 midday service and provides a fixed -route connection among Mebane, Hillsborough and Efland, whereas Option #1 involves two -hour directional headways and an extended connection to Durham; and • Option #2 does not provide the Efland- Hillsborough commuter loop service, whereas Option #1 does. The presentation will also include follow -up information to specific questions asked by Board members at the June 17, 2014 meeting in response to the original presentation of the draft bus service expansion program options. Other policy decisions that must be made as part of the program, such as the collection of fares and minimum service standards, will also be discussed. Bus Capital Availability It has become apparent from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Public Transportation Division (NCDOT -PTD) that OPT will not be able to make use of the new buses it has requested that are essential to providing these expanded services until winter 2015. Consequently, the County and OPT have more time than originally anticipated to finalize the bus service expansion program before implementation. However, certain steps in the transit service planning process that must be undertaken before program execution cannot be completed until a bus service expansion program is endorsed. Next Steps for BOCC If the BOCC chooses to indicate a preference for an option for OPT's expansion concepts, Orange County planning staff will develop and draft more detailed service design characteristics (i.e., service times, stop locations, bus capital programming, etc.) for inclusion in OPT's Community Transportation Service Plan (CTSP), which will return for the BOCC's consideration and approval at a future regular meeting. Public outreach, education, and marketing of these new routes will be ongoing over the next several months prior to and during the initiation of service. Results of prior public outreach conducted by both Orange County and Triangle Transit staff are accessible using the following link: http://www.co.orange.nc.us/occlerks/1 40617. pdf FINANCIAL IMPACT: Although this item does not have an immediate financial impact, the associated activity relates to the process to expend half -cent transit sales tax revenue and the $7 county vehicle registration fees. The expansion of the proposed OPT services is to be financially supported in full by these revenue sources. The $3 increase to the TTA regional tag fee will begin affecting residents in October 2014. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board: 1. Receive the presentation; and 2. Discuss as necessary the proposed program Options #1 and #2 (Attachments A and B) and consider providing feedback indicating a preference for one of the options, or a combination thereof, if deemed appropriate.