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EXHIBIT A <br /> pg. S of 69 <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 /> additionat$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,focal 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 /> Pagel 4 <br /> I <br />