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22 <br /> <br />Commissioner Bedford said as the Orange County transit plan is created through the <br />DCHO MPO, is it possible to ensure that it connects with Alamance and Chatham. <br />Travis Myren said part of Chatham is in the DCHO MPO, but when traffic and <br />commuting patterns are examined, Alamance County is certainly relevant and gets picked up. <br />He said Theo Letman, Orange County Transit Director, is working with the City of Mebane to <br />see if there are services that can be provided within the City, or getting to the City, which makes <br />sense from a ridership perspective. <br />Commissioner Bedford asked if it could be part of the RFP. <br />Travis Myren said yes. <br />Commissioner Bedford referred to the interlocal implementation agreement for Orange <br />County bus and rail investment plan, and said tonight’s conversation just refers to the annual <br />plan. She said she is glad that Chapel Hill transit is involved, and having all transit operators at <br />the table is important. <br />Commissioner Bedford said the sales tax can only be used for newer expanded service, <br />per the General Assembly, and asked if there is a way to interpret this language to use these <br />dedicated transit taxes towards being more environmentally proactive in transit. <br />Commissioner Bedford said the BOCC is trying to balance the needs of their current <br />residents, such as the handicapped and elderly, and the future land use planning for the <br />residents. She said she hopes the consultant will focus on this balancing act as well. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said Chapel Hill and Carrboro have always been represented <br />in all discussions at the DCHO MPO. <br />Commissioner Bedford said these towns are not listed as part of the working groups, <br />unless bus is on it. <br />Travis Myren said they are not a party to the interlocal implementation agreement. <br /> <br />PUBLIC COMMENT: <br />David Laudicina said Hillsborough has always been part of the plan for the future. He <br />said he lived outside Philadelphia for many years, and used commuter rail. He said there are so <br />many options of what is possible, and there is a rail line that goes right up to UNC, through <br />Carrboro and all the way up to the NC railroad. He said the potential is huge, and we cannot <br />continue to rely solely on I-40. <br />Commissioner Greene asked if assumptions about would be made for ridership. She <br />said she if she worked at UNC and lived in Burlington, she would not take a train from <br />Burlington to Hillsborough unless she knew there was a reliable and frequent bus to get her <br />from Hillsborough to UNC. <br />Travis Myren said typically connection points would be analyzed. He said he will make <br />sure this is included. <br />Commissioner McKee said Commissioner Greene’s comment was a good one, and <br />getting alternate modes of transportation will be critical as the area is only growing. <br /> <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Marcoplos, seconded by Commissioner McKee <br />for the Board provide comments on the Draft FY20 Work Plan for transit services in Orange <br />County and consider adding $75,000 in dedicated transit revenues to participate in a feasibility <br />study for commuter rail in the Triangle region. <br /> <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> <br />7. Reports <br />NONE <br /> <br />8. Consent Agenda