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<br />2 EXISTING CONDITIONS AND <br />MARKET ANALYSIS <br />This chapter is intended to summarize the background conditions in which OPT operates and <br />provide an evaluation of existing service characteristics and system performance. This chapter <br />provides an overview of the operating context for OPT, demographic and socioeconomic <br />characteristics, and general system performance. <br />OPT is a transit organization which operates three midday/off peak, weekday, fixed-route bus <br />services in Orange County—the Hillsborough Circulator, the Orange-Chapel Hill Midday <br />Connector, and the Orange-Alamance Connector. <br />In addition to these fixed-route services, OPT also offers on-demand and paratransit services. <br />OPT offers on-demand transportation for seniors (60+) or disabled residents from their residence <br />to their medical care providers or to go shopping; however, shopping trips are limited to one trip <br />per week, while there is no limit to medical trips. This service requires 48 hours’ notice prior to <br />scheduled pick up. This service is also offered to the general public on a seat-available basis. OPT <br />also offers complementary paratransit service for eligible individuals who can demonstrate that <br />they are unable to travel to or from an existing bus stop. This service is provided from any origin <br />and to any destination within ¾-mile of existing fixed-route service. <br />KEY FINDINGS <br />ƒThe Hillsborough Circulator and the Orange-Chapel Hill Midday Connector have low <br />ridership, approximately 64 and 15 average daily riders respectively. <br />ƒPopulation density in Orange County outside of Chapel Hill and Carrboro is relatively <br />low. The majority of the county does not have the population or employment density to <br />support fixed-route transit. <br />ƒThe most common commute destinations for north Orange County residents are to <br />Hillsborough, Durham, and Chapel Hill. <br />