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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: June 17, 2003 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. ~ - b <br />SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Continued Regional Bus Service to Rural Orange <br />County __ <br />DEPARTMENT: Department on Aging, <br />PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Orange Public Transportation <br />(OPT) <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Staff Report <br />Proposed Resolution <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Jerry Passmore, ext. 2009 <br />AI Terry, ext. 2002 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To present for the Board's consideration a proposed resolution that would provide <br />for the continuation of the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) bus service from Hillsborough to <br />Durham/Duke Hospital. <br />BACKGROUND: There have been discussions at TTA about the possible elimination of the <br />410 Hillsborough route in light of what TTA analysts termed as "extremely low ridership, the low- <br />density nature of Hillsborough, and the existence of another transit provider in Hillsborough <br />(OPT) providing service with lower fares". Department on Aging/OPT staff have reviewed the <br />existing route structure and developed a proposal that could be pursued in order to preserve, <br />and perhaps enhance the efficiency of the route and maintain this critical linkage for the greater <br />Hillsborough community. This option for TTA Contracting with OPT to Provide Rural Orange <br />Transportation Services is outlined in the attached memorandum to the County Manager. <br />Department on Aging/OPT staff recommend that the BOCC approve a plan that would support <br />TTA entering into a contract with OPT to operate the existing Hillsborough to Durham/Duke/VA <br />route, as well as provide payment to OPT for operation of the existing Hillsborough to Chapel <br />Hill/Carrboro route. OPT presently operates the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route <br />independently and at its own cost although, in actuality, it should be a regional responsibility of <br />TTA. <br />A resolution is attached that supports continuing regional bus service, with the potential for <br />presenting the contract option to TTA. Adoption of the resolution would enable Orange <br />County's member on the TTA Board of Trustees to present and convey the BOCC's strong <br />interest in an arrangement that would ensure the continuation of the public transportation <br />services that link citizens in rural Orange to vital outlets such as employment, medical <br />