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O SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION <br />FINAL REPORT G>' <br />Control frequency. This overlap results in privacy concerns since passenger trip <br />information can be overheard. Correcting this situation will require an upgrade to the <br />OPT radio system. Any upgrade should be compatible with radio systems of other <br />area transit providers. This funding may be included in the FY 2005/2006 <br />Community Transportation Program Grant from North Carolina Department of <br />Transportation. <br />Current Technologies <br />OPT has a low-tech approach to fare collection with no registering fireboxes. As a <br />member of the regional transit pass coalition, OPT may have to upgrade to <br />registering fareboxes at some point in the future to track ridership. This funding may <br />be included in the FY 2005/2006 Community Transportation Program Grant from <br />North Carolina Department of Transportation, <br />1.1.7. KEY FUNDING / REVENUE SOURCES <br />The major funding sources for OPT are State grants (45 percent), Orange County <br />general funds (30 percent) agency contracts (23 percent) and fare revenue (2 <br />percent). For Rural General Public (RGP) service, the passenger fare is based on a <br />charge of $0.50 in city and $1.00 for travel between cities <br />County funds, which are allocated from the general fund, support a significant portion <br />of the system's operations. Community Transportation Program funds from NCDOT <br />(which include pass-through monies from the Federal Transit Administration) are <br />used to support capital and administrative needs. Additionally, NCDOT provides <br />funds for the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP), which includes RGP, <br />Work First, and Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP) <br />monies. Medicaid funds are another major funding source, and are used to support <br />associated operating and administrative costs. Further funding comes from agency- <br />acquired grants that support transportation uses such as the Home and Community <br />Care Block Grant (HCCBG). The participating agencies are extremely active in <br />pursuing grants that aid in funding transportation for their customers. <br />1.2. BUSINESS DIRECTIONS <br />OPT is well received in the community because of its outstanding customer service, <br />An example of OPT's outstanding service is OPT's response during recent ice <br />storms. OPT operated when most people were afraid to drive, providing an <br />invaluable service to residents who had no other way to travel. <br />The transit merger discussions in the Triangle region will have an unknown effect on <br />OPT's role as a transportation provider. The implications of the merger of TTA, <br />CAT, DATA, and potentially other groups are discussed in this CTIP( Section 1, <br />Article 2.2.2). <br />OPT has grown in importance in recent times as more and more agencies and the <br />general public begin to use its services, The functional location of OPT is also <br />discussed in later sections (Section 1, Article 2.3 6) <br />Orange County 1-6 <br />COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN