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67 <br /> 1 Slide #94 <br /> Community Services <br /> • Orange County Transportation Services — page 281 <br /> OUT Ri <br /> 7grt <br /> wpm <br /> G'DW1111A <br /> , <br /> 40:87}3q= <br /> AIM <br /> .: -Mn 21 "=-22P.j ff=45eudMR <br /> ORANGE COUNT.I, <br /> 101 1,N)Wn P CAF.{'S1.fhA <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Travis Myren said ridership is not rebounding like other areas and staff will continue to <br /> 4 monitor this to see why. He said it could be that people are using vehicles that were purchased <br /> 5 during the pandemic. <br /> 6 Commissioner McKee asked if this could be monitored closely. He said he is surprised <br /> 7 that ridership has not leveled off with pre-pandemic levels. He asked if there are corresponding <br /> 8 increases in rider on demand or any other forms. <br /> 9 Nish Trivedi said certain services that were stopped during the pandemic are coming <br /> 10 back. He said that they are also dealing with a shortage of drivers. <br /> 11 Commissioner McKee said it is worrisome that there is a drop off. He said he would <br /> 12 have expected a leveling this past year and an uptick this year. <br /> 13 Nish Trivedi said this is an industry-wide problem. <br /> 14 Chair Price said part of the problem in some areas is bus service being stopped due to <br /> 15 lack of drivers. <br /> 16 Commissioner McKee said transportation was the leading department for turnover and <br /> 17 vacancies. He said from a public health perspective, there is no way to social distance on these <br /> 18 buses and that is likely a dampening effect for riders. <br /> 19 Nish Trivedi said ADA service is provided as well. <br /> 20 Commissioner Richards asked what they expect to see from the direct grant recipient. <br /> 21 Nish Trivedi said the designation between being a direct recipient and a sub-recipient is <br /> 22 the reporting. He said the direct recipient has to do all of the reporting. <br /> 23 Commissioner Richards asked what the consultant will tell us. <br /> 24 Nish Trivedi said they will provide information on changing the process from being a <br /> 25 sub recipient to a direct recipient. <br /> 26 Commissioner Richards asked if the county wants to be a direct recipient. <br /> 27 Travis Myren said that it is his understanding that they do not have a choice in being a <br /> 28 direct recipient or a sub recipient. <br /> 29 Nish Trivedi said the NC Department of Transportation is trying to get away from that <br /> 30 and are encouraging providers themselves to be direct recipients so they can stop doing the <br /> 31 reporting. <br />