Minutes 01-27-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Bonnie Hammersley said the direction she has given Theo Letman is to look at ways to improve this without stopping the current system. They will always have communication plans in everything they do, now that they have their new Community Relations Director. Bonnie Hammersley said the Board puts much money into OPT because of our residents' human service needs, including aging, while the other resources we receive for transportation would go towards the routine, frequent ridership. She said she is expecting their new Transit Director will help them to improve the human services component, including building their partnerships. Craig Benedict, County Planning Director, added that the zonal routes operate two days a week to accommodate people who need services or shopping but not daily commuters. As you look at future services you might consider ways to get those zonal riders to the commuter lines. There are some fixed routes from Cedar Grove down to US-70. If these zonal routes could bring people to the east-west lines, to Durham, or to Hillsborough and then down to Chapel Hill, then we could get that commuter element into it. It is now time to weigh in on the future, as we look to the Bus and Rail Investment Plan update, looking out to what could be funded for 2035 or 2045 by the transit tax. Chair Dorosin said the County's communication strategy should convey the immediate, three to five year, and longer ranges. One of their challenges is being able to talk about the arch of long range, high cost projects, like GoTriangle and Economic Development Zones. He does not think they do a great job keeping people up to date on what has happened, what is happening, and what is going to happen into the future. They need to come up with a better name than "Rural Deviated Zonal Route." He later suggested "Flex Routes." Commissioner Jacobs said destinations—for example Little River Regional Park, the Cedar Grove Community Center, churches, Ruritan clubs -- should be identified when the transportation plan is updated so they can figure out how to help people get to them. It might be worth surveying people in rural Orange to help us identify where people would like to go on their buses; we could adjust or plan accordingly. Commissioner Price added that shopping centers also should be identified as destinations. They need stops where people actually go. Travis Myren said, in reply to a question from Commissioner Marcoplos, who noted bumper-to-bumper traffic on NC54 west of Carrboro going toward Chapel Hill during rush hours and on game days, one of the elements of the Bus and Rail Investment Plan are bus capital projects, which includes Park and Ride lots. They will need to reserve money in the plan for Park and Ride lots if a need is identified. Craig Benedict added that a demand study was conducted 4-5 years ago. In reply to a suggestion from Commissioner Price, Travis Myren said County staff could ask Alamance County about sharing the cost of bus shelters/bus stops along the Orange- Alamance Connector. They would not collect fare box revenue from riders getting on the Connector route in Alamance County; these are midday connections. Craig Benedict added that the Connector links the Orange County system to Piedmont Rapid Transit; they hand off some passengers that continue with us to Durham. Chair Dorosin agreed that the two counties should explore cost sharing. Commissioner McKee also agreed. Commissioner Rich said the County should have a regional perspective when looking at bus service. She said she is not saying they shouldn't ask Alamance County to cost share but the most important goal is to help people who need to get to places while getting them out of their cars. If we're collecting fares from them, then they already are helping to pay for the system. Travis Myren continued with the "anticipated forces of change" portion of his presentation.