Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
13 <br /> reducing the capacity of the platforms can be explained, given the ever increasing needs for <br /> public transportation in the region. <br /> Danny Rogers said as far as having a gap in December, and now not having a gap, he <br /> said financial experts are involved and it is always the goal to improve the plan. He said <br /> GoTriangle is trying to work with Orange County and share all the information that is available. <br /> Commissioner McKee said his questions are not directed to him personally. He said it <br /> is a concern to him that the commuter rail was very important to Durham, and this has been <br /> removed from the plan. He asked if there is a reason that this was removed. <br /> Danny Rogers said at the beginning of this process, the referendum had not passed. <br /> He said the BRT was included in the manner that it was, was due to it being submitted to the <br /> FTA for project development. He said as the plan is updated, the county transit plans will be <br /> evaluated to see how Durham County can work with Wake County to get the commuter rail. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the final payout date on the loans, from the original <br /> plans, could be identified. <br /> Danny Rogers said he does not know the date from the 2011. He said the current date <br /> is 2062. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the change from a three car to a two-car platform, <br /> and asked if the impact on ridership numbers, and cost per rider could be identified. <br /> Danny Rogers said the two car to three car platform is a value engineering opportunity. <br /> He said the analysis of the ridership on this line is a very efficient evaluation. He said the <br /> Durham/Orange line has multiple destinations along it, causing people to get on and off the <br /> line. He said this will enable more people to be carried on this line, as the destinations are <br /> spread out; as opposed to being co-located, as they are in Charlotte. He said two car trains <br /> can carry a lot of people; and when capacity is met, the frequency can be increased. He said <br /> the two-car platform is the affordable option, and also has some design benefits. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said it would be useful to know the projected fuel and battery <br /> costs, types of fuel for light rail and BRT; and to make comparisons between the two types of <br /> transportation. <br /> Commissioner Price asked if the payoff is in 2062, how do repairs fit into this scenario. <br /> Danny Rogers said part of the reason the TIFIA is allowed to go out to 2062 is because <br /> it is an even payment from day one, allowing other things to be done. He said there is a "state <br /> of good repair" fund within the plan. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he assumed that the monies from the 1/2 cent sales tax will <br /> be required until 2062. <br /> Danny Rogers said the plan is based on the assumption that the sales tax would be <br /> there until 2062. He said an analysis could be completed to determine what would happen if <br /> the sales tax was not there, if so desired by the Board. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if some revenue source will be needed from Orange <br /> County and Durham County until 2062. <br /> Danny Rogers said yes, under the current payout plan, until 2062. He said it could be <br /> paid off faster if desired, but, due to the low interest rates, and that the length of payoff is <br /> allowed, it makes more sense to use funds elsewhere and pay off the TIFIA loan over a longer <br /> time. <br /> Brian Litchfield, Chapel Hill Transit Director, presented this portion of the PowerPoint: <br /> North-South Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project <br /> Board of County Commissioners <br /> Orange County, NC <br />