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r� FHF UNIVERSITY <br /> \� '11 CHAPEL HILL CkncDl�rNTHORP <br /> 103 SOUTH BUILDING T 919.962.1369 <br /> CAMPUS BOX 9100 F 919.962.i6 47 <br /> CHAPEL HILL.NC 27599-9100 <br /> June 7,2011 <br /> Bernadette Pelissier,Chair <br /> Orange County Commissioners <br /> 200 South Cameron Street <br /> Post Office Box 8181 <br /> Hillsborough,NC 27278 <br /> Dear Chair Pelissier: <br /> We are writing to express The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the UNC Health Care <br /> System's support for light rail service in the Research Triangle area, in particular the Orange County <br /> Transit Plan,which provides for the construction and operation of a light rail system between Chapel <br /> Hill and Durham and an increase in local bus service. <br /> The University has long been committed to transportation demand management, including use of mass <br /> transit. We have been a partner in the Chapel Hill Transit System since its inception,and we initiated <br /> the discussions for what has become a highly successful fare-free service,which is critical to our <br /> ability to operate the University. In addition, we have developed a robust network of park-and-ride <br /> facilities,on our own and in partnership with Chapel Hill Transit,and implemented incentive <br /> programs such as ZipCar rental and emergency rides to encourage mass transit use. We included a <br /> corridor for light rail and a terminal station in our campus master plan in 1999 and, in response to <br /> requests from Triangle Transit during the current planning process,have agreed to Alternative D,as <br /> shown in the Orange County Transit Plan, as a through stop location. <br /> We appreciate the University and UNC Health Care having a seat at the table with the Orange County <br /> governing bodies during the development of the Orange County Transit Plan and look forward to its <br /> ultimate implementation. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Holden Thorp <br /> I Liam L�Roper MD.MPH <br /> cc: Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt,Chapel Hill <br /> • Mayor Mark Chilton,Carrboro <br /> Mayor Tom Stevens,Hillsborough <br />