Agenda - 03-06-2008-4h - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 6, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. ~' {'1 SUBJECT: Ratify the Submission of Joint Application for Funding an Experimental Chapel Hill/Carrboro Cross Town Senior Shuttle , DEPARTMENT: Aging/Transportation PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Funding Application Introduction INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Passmore 245-2009 AI Terry 245-2008 PURPOSE: To ratify staff's submission of a joint funding application for a Chapel Hill/Carrboro Cross Town Senior Shuttle in cooperation with the Chapel Hill Transit and Orange Public Transportation. BACKGROUND: The Durham/Chapel Hill/Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO) is soliciting projects that have been derived from the DCHC-MPO's adopted Coordinated Public Transportation -Human Services Transportation Plan. "New Freedom" funds are intended to fund innovative and flexible programs that identify the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with limited incomes. Coordinating service between Chapel Hill Transit and Orange Public Transportation would enable residents to visit the Seymour Senior Center Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. An application was jointly prepared and if approved, project funds would begin FY2008-09. The application was due February 29, 2008 and provided necessary background studies of both systems to show impacts to existing services, possibilities for future coordinated efforts, and possible improvements to both systems. Staff submitted the application by the February 29, 2008 deadline and requests the Board's ratification of the submission. Staff can withdraw the application if the Board directs this to occur. The older population of Orange County is projected to double in 2020, especially among the 75+. With this increase in the older population, new services must be offered to ensure seniors, with a wide range of mobility needs, can access City and County services. Chapel Hill Transit would benefit from coordination with Orange Public Transportation by offering a more frequent service to access designated stops to include the Seymour Center and relieve some E-Z Rider transportation for more disabled clients. FINANCIAL IMPACT: No Orange County funds will be used to support this application. The required 50% local match will be requested from Chapel Hill Transit. Discussions are under way with Chapel Hill transit concerning the financial impact, services changes, and route configuration changes.