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15 <br /> Public Outreach <br /> Two phases of outreach were conducted as part of the SRTP—the first phase took place in <br /> November 2017 to understand the needs of existing riders and non-riders, and the second <br /> phase occurred in September 2018 to confirm future service priorities. Top priorities from each <br /> of the outreach phases included the following: <br /> • Improving weekday and Saturday service frequency and providing later evening service <br /> • Improving local circulation in Hillsborough and providing connections to Chapel Hill <br /> Service Prioritization <br /> Typically, fixed-route transit service is best suited for areas with sufficiently high population and <br /> employment density to provide adequate ridership to sustain the service. In rural or suburban <br /> areas, like much of Orange County, frequent fixed-route service may not be the most effective <br /> method of service delivery. Instead, multiple service types may be appropriate depending on the <br /> density of population and jobs, the distribution of community services, and potential connections <br /> to surrounding areas and transit services. <br /> As such, recommended improvements for OPT represent a combination of service types. <br /> Recommendations were prioritized to provide access to jobs from rural areas, respond to public <br /> feedback by expanding service hours and improving frequency on existing routes, and <br /> improving connections between Mebane, Efland, and Hillsborough. A summary of these <br /> improvements is provided in Figure ES-2, and the proposed system map is shown in Figure ES- <br /> 3. <br /> The prioritized recommendations are intended to provide the maximum benefit within current <br /> funding levels and provide a path for future investment should additional funding become <br /> available. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said he has spoken about a park and ride at White Cross <br /> before, and asked if this fits into the local plan in any way. He said it would be particularly <br /> helpful on UNC game days. <br /> Theo Letman said that is more of a planning/capital question. He said it can be taken up <br /> as a priority as staff progresses through the transit planning process. He said there are <br /> limitations to what can be done in the short term, and he has listed priorities based on the <br /> public's view of things, but that is not to say additional ideas are not welcome. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said there is a UNC records storage building out there with a <br /> lot of space around it, and many people driving on highway 54 are going to UNC. He said it <br /> would be worth opening a conversation with UNC about a potential partnership. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the Orange-Chapel Hill midday connector has 15 average <br /> daily riders, and asked if this is accurate. <br /> Theo Letman that is correct for the midday. He said the bulk of that service is provided <br /> around peak travel times (morning and afternoon). <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if it is financially feasible to maintain a route that only has <br /> 15 average daily riders. <br /> Theo Letman said it is questionable. He said the plan is not etched in marble and can <br /> be changed, with the goal of always improving transit. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin referred to the table in figure ES-2, and asked if staff could <br /> identify the services that would be considered mobility on demand. <br /> Theo Letman said the zonal services and the vanpool services. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin clarified that some of the services in this table are not currently <br /> funded. <br />