Minutes 03-01-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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17 The following services will be implemented in the upcoming fiscal year (FY16: July 2015-June 2016): • In August 2015, Orange County through Orange Public Transportation will implement an increase in the midday service frequency of the Hillsborough-Chapel Hill Shuttle and extended the route to Cedar Grove, north of Hillsborough. • Orange County through Orange Public Transportation will implement three new services: o Orange-Alamance Connector with midday service between Mebane and Hillsborough o Efland-Hillsborough Commuter Loop with peak period service between Efland and Hillsborough o Zoned deviated fixed routes serving three rural county areas midday, two days per week per zone • Chapel Hill Transit will expand service during peak periods and evenings on the HS route • Any new potential services for Chapel Hill Transit will be identified as part of annual budget development in coordination with Chapel Hill Transit's Public Transit Committee • GoTriangle will add trips to the Chapel Hill-Raleigh Express Milestones of light rail project • Project development was completed within a 2-year window, in compliance with Federal law. • Applications submitted for federal funding program. • Awaiting word from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regarding its review of submitted materials. • Once criteria are satisfied, final design phase of three years of engineering, will begin. Once completed a full funding grant agreement with the FTA will be pursued. Commissioner Rich referred to the expansion of service into Carrboro and asked if the bus route is known. John Tallmadge said the service will run at least during commuter hours (6:00 to 9:00 a.m.), and if one is coming from Carrboro toward Durham, the route will come down Main Street, to Franklin Street, to 15- 501. He said if one is coming into Carrboro, the route will go to the medical center at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Hospital first, then take the by- pass to Jones Ferry Road, and into downtown Carrboro. He said the major market is to the hospital and the University. Further discussion of the routes ensued. John Tallmadge said August is the targeted implementation date. Commissioner Pelissier referred to the expanded service and asked if the BOCC will get information about increased ridership on the new and expanded services. John Tallmadge said such information can be provided. Commissioner Jacobs asked if John Tallmadge could explain the proposal of the dual use and why GoTriangle does not want to pursue it further. John Tallmadge said requests were received to make the entire light rail corridor run both buses and light rail. He said a dual route is being accomplished via a section through downtown Durham and buses still need to be able to use Pettigrew St. He said it is not that they are opposed to this idea but this is a more expensive way to build the corridor. He said the operational demands of this dual option would be a challenge and this corridor is not the most used corridor. He said it may compromise the efficiency of the light rail project.