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33 <br /> II. TRANSIT PLANNING STEPS LEADING UP TO THIS PLAN <br /> In 2008, a blue-ribbon group of Triangle leaders (the Special Transit Advisory Commission, or <br /> STAC) began meeting. In May 2009 the STAC unanimously recommended a regional vision for <br /> bus and rail investments. One year later, the region's two MPO's fully incorporated the STAC <br /> recommendations into their long-range (25 year) transportation plan. <br /> In August 2009, Governor Beverly Perdue signed into law the Congestion Relief and <br /> Intermodal Transport Fund Act (HB 148), legislation that allows Durham, Orange and Wake <br /> counties to generate new revenues for public transportation. These new revenues can <br /> include a one-half cent sales tax, if approved by the public through a referendum, and an <br /> additional $10 in local and regional vehicle registration fees. <br /> Over the last 18 months, Triangle Transit staff have worked with Durham, Durham County, <br /> the MPO and other regional transportation staff to develop a detailed, 25-year plan for new <br /> bus and rail investments designed to provide greater transportation options for residents and <br /> employers. This option would positively impact traffic congestion and air quality while <br /> supporting local land use policies. This plan is the culmination of that work and represents <br /> crucial public investments and services designed to maintain our quality of life and economic <br /> vitality in the next 25 years. <br /> Extensive public engagement has occurred over the past year in the development of the bus <br /> and rail elements of this plan. Triangle Transit and local transportation staff members from <br /> the city, county and MPO conducted a series of 19 public workshops, at various locations <br /> throughout the Triangle, on the process and substance of the plan's development. A total of <br /> over 1,100 participants attended the meetings and provided over 500 comments on the plan. <br /> The project web site, www.ourtransitfuture.com, was viewed by over 31,000 individuals with <br /> 1.4 million page hits. The web site houses all of the presentation materials and proposed plan <br /> elements. <br /> There have been dozens of meetings with citizens, local elected officials, staff and members <br /> of the region's MPO's, community stakeholders and business leaders to have feedback on the <br /> proposed bus and rail elements. The financial and service elements of this plan are <br /> coordinated with the corresponding Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan. <br /> Additionally, this bus and rail investment plan builds on existing transit services and does not <br /> eliminate current financial and service commitments. <br /> Page 14 <br />