Minutes 01-25-2019 BOCC Retreat - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 Theo Letman said there is one, and that some apartment neighborhoods and senior living neighborhoods also have this as a service they provide. Theo Letman described the planning report, which was received in late 2018. He also had some answers from inquiries at a previous board meeting. He said the question about the Hillsborough Circulator would be addressed soon and that article 43 money would be used. Theo Letman said instituting a fare on the Hillsborough Circulator would require a public hearing. He also said that a zone fare structure may be required for a micro-transit operation. Commissioner Marcoplos received an answer to the White Cross transit project. He replied that it would be difficult to reprioritize based on the involvement of GoTriangle and Chapel Hill Transit. Theo Letman said that OPT is committed to providing safe, customer-focused, public transportation services for the community. Chair Rich asked about the Hillsborough circulator and the reverse circulator. She said it is time to work towards a MOU with Hillsborough on this, especially if it is to remain fare-free. Commissioner Dorosin suggested an in-kind system to work with them when it comes to sidewalks and developments. Chair Rich said it is time for a partnership and Hillsborough will soon have more resources. Commissioner Marcoplos asked about timeframe on the reverse circulator. Theo Letman responded that he hopes for FY2020 as the rollout. Commissioner McKee said this will give them time to talk with Hillsborough. Theo Letman described the on-demand structure and how rides are scheduled based on mutual scheduling. He said that it is based on demand at the time. Commissioner McKee noted that sometimes this could lead to all-day trips for people, as people have to wait for other passengers to be ready to return. He said that is why he likes the idea of micro-transit. Commissioner Dorosin asked for clarification on how micro-transit works. Theo Letman used the example of dialysis and explained that it may make sense to have micro-transit available to people when using vans is inefficient. Commissioner McKee concurred and explained that dialysis is exactly the type of example he is thinking of. Commissioner Price asked what is delaying the Reverse Circulator route. Theo Letman said GoTriangle has asked them to hold off until the completion of the planning assessment. Bonnie Hammersley said there is clear vision for OPT, which includes a heavier focus on on-demand services, as that is the most appropriate role for OPT. Bonnie Hammersley said she wanted to address the Orange-Alamance run, which is seeing low ridership. She wondered if a public hearing would be necessary to end the route. Theo Letman said a public meeting would not be required, and that the transit plan contained some information on the low level of ridership for that route. Bonnie Hammersley asked if the plan recommended cutting that route. Theo Letman said the plan gave options for consideration given the finite resources involved. Bonnie Hammersley asked Mr. Letman to talk about the numbers for the midday, Orange-Alamance route. Theo Letman said there were only 66 riders all year on that route. Commissioner Price asked whether the route itself is the problem, and a lack of public input the cause of the problem. She compared it to the issues the Hillsborough Circulator encountered at first that were caused by a similar lack of public input, so the route did not go where people wanted to go. She said people consistently ask her when there will be a bus stop along Highway 70.