Agenda - 09-16-2008 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

5 Triangle Regional Development Plan process has been watered down due to the fad that the Assistant Director of DOT retired, and the two consultarrts changed fines. Three weeks ago, he met with Steve Spade and derided to continue this conversation to see haw 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 finro services are being compared. There is a lot of diffen:nce 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 cxamputer 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~o-door 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 cierrts. AI Teny said that there is a big difference infixed 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 Terry said that another issue is that then: is a cer'tfication process that all transit agenries have to have for DSS clients, elderly cierrts, or disabled clients. None of the certfication processes are the same for the agendes. 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 offirials of Durham, Wake, and Orange Counties that made the derision to have the study and DOT is funding the study 100°ib. He said that DOT is looking to regionalize many transit agencies within the State. There will be some- funding incentives for agenries that have r+egional'¢ation efforts in transportation. Commissioner Jacobs said that one of the possibilities would be to have all three agenries combined to be under TTA Durham and Wake seem really different from the way Orange Courrty 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 a parlk-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 Stanril said that Chapel Hill Transit is talking with Chatham County about a faced 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 mon: 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. {!o