Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
o The cost of attempting a new service and marketing it well enough to be sure that there is a <br /> fair trial must be considered. <br /> COMMUTER SERVICES <br /> This alternative was developed primarily to deal with the commuter transportation market from <br /> Orange County to the rest of the region, addressing the fact that TTA's (Triangle Transit Authority) <br /> Ridesharing program has the primary responsibility for such service. Given the multitude of employment <br /> destinations, and the continued growth of Orange County outside Chapel Hill in low-density residential <br /> patterns, ridesharing will be a major means of addressing regional commuter needs in the near-term future. <br /> However, development of transitional modes between carpooling/ridematching and fixed-route, fixed- <br /> schedule regional transit can be an initial step during the coming four-year planning period. <br /> Alternative 3: TTA "Buspool" Services <br /> Description of the Proposed Service <br /> o TTA's Ridesharing program would focus on finding vanpool drivers and riders from Orange <br /> County to regional destinations, including the RTP, Durham, Raleigh, etc. (wherever the <br /> demand exists). TTA would provide the vehicle, and would pay the driver for actual driving <br /> and related time. Regular riders would pay a monthly fare, and seats would be available for <br /> short-term or daily riders would make a reservation and pay a daily fare. TTA would use the <br /> ridesharing database and work with employers to develop the core ridership. TTA is calling <br /> this concept a "buspool" and is developing a pilot program in eastern Wake County. This <br /> alternative for Orange is intended to have Orange County be the next implementation site, <br /> probably in a year or two, after eastern Wake has shown the way to go. <br /> o OPT's role would be that of the local entity working with TTA to provide any assistance in <br /> implementation. OPT would also be an alternative first point of contact for potential riders, <br /> and would refer potential riders to TTA. OPT would not own or operate the vehicles, or pay <br /> drivers. <br /> o TTA could use OPT taxi contractors, or perhaps even OPT itself to offer the "Guaranteed <br /> Ride Home" for persons who had a personal emergency. Experience shows that this program <br /> makes ridesharing much more attractive, and that the emergency service is not often used. <br /> Estimated Ridership and Revenue <br /> o Ridership depends on finding the riders -- and the TTA Ridesharing program will have to <br /> utilize its database and employer contacts to develop ridership. It is often the case that riders <br /> -32- <br />