Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Ecosometrics' project staff met with the Steering Committee three times: once to identify goals, <br /> objectives and constraints,a second time to present alternative service designs and to discuss findings from <br /> the survey, and a third time to review the draft final version of the TDP. <br /> As part of this process,the NCDOT/PTD guidelines on private sector participation in the planning <br /> process have been met by a joint effort of the NCDOT, the consultant and the OPT office. A letter <br /> describing the process was drafted by OPT and sent to private sector operators within and out of the <br /> county. The private operators, both for profit and non-profit, were invited to respond in writing or attend <br /> a meeting with the Steering Committee,to present their qualifications,and indicate their interest in bidding <br /> on any possible request for proposals issued by the county. <br /> GOALS FOR IMPROVING TRANSPORTATION <br /> The first step in developing the current plan was to establish a Steering Committee for the study, <br /> as previously described. This Committee then met to determine County-wide goals for improving <br /> transportation, and to determine the constraints on possible service designs. The goals were developed <br /> to guide the consultants during the course of the study,and to allow the Committee to make informed and <br /> intelligent decisions regarding the use of transportation resources in the County. The goals are also used <br /> in the development and assessment of the alternative service designs in the later stages of the study. <br /> Previously Established Goals and Objectives <br /> Unlike most rural systems in North Carolina, OPT has had goals articulated in previous plans. <br /> In the 1991 planning effort the goals of the study included: <br /> • Analysis of all existing human service agency transportation providers in Orange County, <br /> assessing both cost-effectiveness and quality of service. <br /> • Assessment of the extent of unmet transportation needs among existing human service agency <br /> clientele and the general public, providing recommendations to meet those needs. <br /> • Development of a plan to meet State and Federal criteria so that the plan may be used to <br /> support future requests for capital and/or operating assistance. <br /> -2- <br />