Agenda 02-17-2026; 6-a - FY26 Q2 Annual Work Program Amendments for Transit

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3 CHT received a 60% design cost estimate for the NSBRT this past summer. This updated estimate is more than $10 million higher than prior estimates and includes $20 million for property acquisition, according to CHT staff. The latest update provided by Chapel Hill Transit Staff to Orange County places the total cost of the project at$188 million. The proposed amendments add $5.8 million to the$32.3 million in existing financial commitments from the Prior Transit Work Plans, CHT Partners, and the Town of Chapel Hill. EXISTING FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AMOUNT Prior Transit Tax Annual Work Plans $29,125,000 CHT Partners $2,000,000 Town of Chapel Hill $1,144,322 TOTAL $32,269,322 PROPOSED AWP FY26 Q2 AMMENDMENTS Route NS Vehicles $2,065,267 Converting from Operating to Capital $3,765,411 TOTAL $5,830,678 GRAND TOTAL $38,100,000 CHT is requesting to amend the FY26 Annual Transit Work Program for vehicle acquisition to more explicitly describe the use and purpose of already-allocated funding and to incorporate NSBRT progress. The Annual Work Plan currently provides $2,065,267 for Chapel Hill Transit to purchase two (2) vehicles for the existing North-South Route. The proposed amendment would clarify that those vehicles would be dedicated to the NSBRT project when construction is completed. The 60-foot diesel vehicles will be uniquely branded and custom fabricated to serve NSBRT's elevated station platforms, communicate with systems unique to BRT, and provide enhanced BRT amenities. The vehicles will not be interchangeable with the rest of the CHT fleet due to Federl Transit Administration (FTA) requirements that vehicles purchased for this program are not used for any other purpose other. CHT proposes purchasing NSBRT vehicles in the current year, so that the vehicles are delivered approximately twelve (12) months prior to the launch of NSBRT revenue service. The year of lead time is required for vehicle/systems acceptance and testing and operator training. On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, CHT contacted the County's Transportation Services Department and stated: "We've made a few changes to NSBRT's funding sources, and we would like to remove our requests from the Staff Working Group's recommended Q2 amendments." In accordance with the interlocal agreement, the process for supporting CHT's request is for the Board of Commissioners to reject the AWP Q2 Amendment. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The amendment has a net zero impact on the approved FY26 Orange County Annual Work Program.