Agenda - 04-01-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Prospectus: Triangle Transit Authority I. Introduction During the last year, several national issues have come into dramatic focus with implications for our state as well as the nation. The dangers of over dependence on foreign oil were underscored by the war in the Persian Gulf. The need for increased energy efficiency in transportation was named a key element in restoring our international competitiveness while retaining our environmental heritage. The addition of several parts of North Carolina to the non - attainment category brought home the fact that air quality is now a serious issue for our state. Local and regional factors have also come into play during this time. Over the last decade, the Wake, Durham and Orange county area has experienced rapid population growth. Accompanying this population surge has been a sharp increase in demand upon the Triangle region's transportation systems, as well as an unfortunate rise in traffic congestion and air pollution. Despite a number of improvements, the highway and public transportation facilities have not kept pace with this surge in population, as demonstrated in figure 1. Faced with the prospect of continued growth in population and demand upon its transportation network, state and local leaders in the Triangle region began working with state legislators to fashion some answers. In 1989, the General Assembly enacted legislation authorizing Wake, Durham and Orange counties to create the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA). Through the TTA, local and state leaders work together as a region to enhance the public transportation system and provide cost effective alternatives to the single passenger automobile. This prospectus summarizes the organizational work of the Authority since it was created by the region's County Commissioners in January, 1990. A draft work plan for the next five years is also outlined.