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8 <br /> 1 Bret Martin said yes. He said this is a guess. <br /> 2 Commissioner Rich asked if this will be brought back to the Board of County <br /> 3 Commissioners for further discussion if the ridership does increase. <br /> 4 Bonnie Hammersley said these are just projections over a 5 year period; however the <br /> 5 numbers will be monitored annually through the budget process and adjustments will be made <br /> 6 as needed. <br /> 7 Commission Rich asked if adjustments will always come out of the half cent sales tax for <br /> 8 operations. <br /> 9 Bonnie Hammersley said yes. <br /> 10 John Roberts referred to Commissioner Price's question. He said the appeal process is <br /> 11 an administrative process, and if appeal is denied the person would have access to further <br /> 12 appeal hearings through the office of civil rights. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> 15 Alex Castro, Jr. is from the Bingham Township. He said he is vice-chair of the Aging <br /> 16 Advisory Board, and vice-chair of the OUTBoard. He said this item has not yet come before the <br /> 17 OUTBoard. He said his comments are personal, and they do not reflect the opinions of the <br /> 18 opinions of the two boards. <br /> 19 He read from the following submitted written comments: <br /> 20 <br /> 21 The proposed service expansion is a very positive step for the rural communities of Orange <br /> 22 County. However, rural residents are not accustomed to riding a transit bus and marketing <br /> 23 efforts are needed to increase ridership rapidly and ensure the success of an expanded Orange <br /> 24 Public Transit service. Some suggestions: <br /> 25 <br /> 26 1. Branding: Chapel Hill Transit has EZ Rider and Triangle Transit uses Flex Rider. Triangle <br /> 27 Transit is also using GO Triangle. Orange Bus is vague and there should be a catchy name <br /> 28 given to OPT to provide instant recognition. <br /> 29 <br /> 30 2. A simple how to use the bus guide needs to be developed, made available on-line and in <br /> 31 written form on each bus. On each bus there should be printed route schedules in a case <br /> 32 mounted in a readily accessible location on the bus. A map showing the routes should also <br /> 33 be posted on the bus. These schedules and guides should be widely distributed to <br /> 34 congregations, key retail outlets and the Sportsplex/Central Orange Senior Center. Service <br /> 35 changes should be forwarded to the Orange County Public Relations Director for on-line <br /> 36 distribution to County residents. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 3. Fixed route bus stops should have a posted sign indicating the name of the stop and a route <br /> 39 map showing the times the bus arrives at the stop. Each stop should have a simple shelter <br /> 40 that provides cover from the elements for waiting riders. Partnership with sponsors in <br /> 41 exchange for simple acknowledgements of the sponsors should be pursued. A good start <br /> 42 would be to provide shelters at the Wal-Mart in Hampton Pointe, the new UNC Hospital, and <br /> 43 Durham Tech Community College Campus. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 4. Fares for low income ADA certified riders should be subsidized to reduce the financial <br /> 46 impact on these riders. For those riders requiring and accompanying health aide, the aide <br /> 47 should not be charged a fare. <br /> 48 <br />