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ORANGE TRANSPORTATION <br /> COUNTY GOVERNMENT <br /> TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT <br /> COUNTY <br /> NoKm CALIQLLNA PUBLIC TRANSIT <br /> OraraigeCounty <br /> Item 5.c. <br /> Subject: State of County Transit Report <br /> Attachment: Orange County Transit Service Area <br /> PURPOSE: To provide comments on preparing a State of County Transit Report. <br /> BACKGROUND: Since July 2022, Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) has successfully <br /> implemented a range of improvements in transit operations and capital projects to meet the <br /> growing demand for its services. Key accomplishments include: <br /> • Expanding Service and Access — Increased service area 10 miles outside County boundary <br /> (Attachment 1), extended operating hours and gradually increasing ridership. <br /> • Cost Efficiency— Maintained the lowest cost per service hour in the entire Triangle region. <br /> • Workforce Growth— Recruited over 12 operators and expanded dispatch operations. <br /> • Comprehensive Transit Coverage— Ensured transit access for the County's entire population <br /> of 150,626 residents including Chapel Hill 's (62,043) and Carrboro's (21,103). <br /> • Strategic Partnerships— Established multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with <br /> key government agencies (CJRD, DOA, Durham Tech), increasing the customer base. <br /> • Funding Authorization — Secured legal approval from GoTriangle to utilize transit tax funds <br /> for the future Mebane Circulator and complete improvements to Hillsborough Circulator. <br /> • Service Expansion —Advanced Demand Response and Mobility-on-Demand services for both <br /> rural and urban areas, including Mebane, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. <br /> The Department Is Implementing Adopted Plans and Addressing Challenges <br /> OCTS continues to implement all its locally adopted plans including the 2024 Short-Range Transit <br /> Plan and Safe Routes to School Plan while advancing projects identified in the Transportation <br /> Multimodal Plan. Despite operating with limited resources and receiving the lowest portion of <br /> transit tax investment in the County, OCTS remains committed to improving mobility for all <br /> residents. <br /> As part of a new State of County Transit report, OCTS will outline its progress over the past two <br /> years since its 2022 Transit Plan was approved, its strategic direction, and the challenges ahead. <br /> This includes identifying opportunities for innovation and the solutions being pursued. <br /> Opportunities for Innovation <br /> • Regional Multimodal Connectivity (RMMC) — Using the Transit Tax in pursuit of state and <br /> federal funding to develop a Regional Multimodal Hub in Hillsborough, providing centralized <br /> access to rail, micromobility, greenways, mixed-use development, and regional transit <br /> connections from the Piedmont to Research Triangle Park and beyond. <br /> • Strategic Municipal Collaboration—Supporting local municipalities in advancing major transit <br /> projects, including: <br /> o Hillsborough and Carrboro's—Greenways (Ridgwalk and Morgan Creek) <br /> 600 Hwy 86 N - Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278 <br /> Phone (919)245-2008 - Fax (919) 732-2137 <br /> orangecountync.gov/transportation <br />