Agenda - 09-02-2008 - 6e - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 Triangle Regional Development Plan process has been watered down due to the fad that the Assistant Director of DOT retired, and the two consultants changed firms. Three weeks ago, he met with Steve Spade and decided to continue this conversation to see how Orange Public Transportation could coordinate its efforts with EZ-Rider since OPT is encroaching into the urban area every day. At this time, the costs of the two services are being compared. There is a lot of difference in the costs because of the overhead. He has not had any discussions with Chatham Transit Network representatives because there have not been any requests from Orange Public Transportation to encroach into Chatham County. Tom Vanderbeck said that Chatham Transit Network is in Orange County on a daily basis. He suggested that there might be some economies of scale and coordination. AI Teny said that one of the first things to look at is the computer software package for the transportation system. The different systems must be compatible if this is going to work. Carl Thompson asked if the entities wanted to work together on the door-to{foor service. Charlie Home said that he and Steve Spade have met and the discussion up to now has been centered on UNC employees. There is some initial groundwork. AI Terry distributed abrochure - TTA 420 -and said that the coordinated efforts between two different transit agencies can be handled through a process. He said that TTA funds Orange County 75% of this route. The route is operated by Orange County because the overhead is so low. Mayor Chilton said that Chapel Hill's EZ-Rider program is so well run and he would hope that this would not result in a decrease in the quality of service provided to the Chapel Hill clients. AI Terry said that there is a big difference in fixed route service and community transportation. Community transportation is very personal, and urban transit systems are not. He said that this effort could do nothing but widen the mobility of the same clients and not reduce the service level. AI Teny said that another issue is that there is a certification process that all transit agencies have to have for DSS clients, elderly clients, or disabled clients. None of the certfication processes are the same for the agenaes. He said that he and Steve Spade are going to formulate a very similar process between Chapel Hill Transit and Orange Public Transportation. Tom Vanderbeck asked if Chatham County was part of the feasibility study that fell apart and AI Teny said no, that it was the elected officials of Durham, Wake, and Orange Counties that made the decision to have the study and DOT is funding the study 100%. He said that DOT is looking to regionalize many transit agencies within the State. There will be some- funding incentives for agencies that have regionalization efforts in transportation. Commissioner Jacobs said that one of the possibilities would be to have all three agencies combined to be under TTA. Durham and Wake seem really different from the way Orange County does things. Mayor Chilton said that one of the issues is that Chatham County is not part of TTA's service area. Also, UNC has spark-and-ride lot just in Chatham County. He asked about this service and Carolyn Efland said that they did run their own buses until this year, and now Chapel Hill runs the buses. Roger Stanch said that Chapel Hill Transit is talking with Chatham County about a fixed route service between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. This is being coordinated with TTA. Chair Carey asked about the next steps. Carl Thompson said that his Chatham board needs to look at the options to become more involved, and task the Transit Director and Manager to make a recommendation to the Chatham County board. The ball is in Chatham County's court. I (v