HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-04-1998 - 9d1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 4,1998
SUBJECT: Triangle Transit Authority funds for Employment Transportation
Initiative
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DEPARTMENT Aging/OPT PUBLIC HEARING YES NO _X_
BUDGET AMENDMENT YES_X_ NO
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ATTACHMENT (S)
INFORMATION CONTACT
Jerry M. Passmore
TELEPHONE NUMBER
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Mebane 227-2031
Durham 688-7331
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PURPOSE: To request the Triangle Transit Authority's support for
Orange County's Employment/Work First transportation
initatives.
BACKGROUND: The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA)is recognized as the
regional transportation agency serving Orange, Durham and
Wake Counties. TTA is responsible for regional transit
planning, intercity bus service and ridesharing through
carpool/vanpool services. Orange county residents directly
support TTA through an annual $5 fee on all vehicle licence
renewals.
Orange Public Transportation (OPT) in the past has focused
its efforts on human service transportation. In recent
years OPT has opened up human service routes to the general
public and established one North-South rural public route
with NCDOT funding assistance. TTA assistance is required
to expand Orange County's rural public transportation
efforts, especially this year's employment/Work First
transportation program. Rural Orange County residents
2
need to: (1) get to jobs within the urbanized areas of
Orange County and the Triangle region, (2) get to the new
Skills Development Center and County Human Services Center
in Chapel Hill and (3) make better use of the Triangle
Transit Authority's Tri-A-Ride Program, Vanpools and
Buspools.
Specifically, Orange County would request TTA's support for
the following:
(1) Increase the frequency of the public North-South route
(Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro) with the
addition of a 7 am south bound route and a 5:25 pm
north bound route. Stop offs and pick ups would be
downtown, UNC Hospitals, the Skills Development Center
and Carrboro. Request TTA funds for $12,000 to cover
OPT operational expenses or TTA to offer this. service.
(2) Establish a new public East-West route (Mebane-Efland-
Hillsborough-Durham) as identified in the Orange County
TDP (Transportation Development Plan). Request TTA
funds for $12,000 or request TTA to offer this service.
(3) Promote the greater utilization of the TTA's ridesharing
and Vanpool program in rural Orange. Request TTA to
install public information signs along Highways NC 86,
NC 57, NC 54 and US 70 and increase their advertisement.
(4) Designate with the BOCC approval additional park-ride
lots in rural Orange County for promoting ridesharing.
(5) Provide funds to employ a Mobility Manager. Duties
would include arranging individualized job transportation
plans for Work First clients and others .plus developing
creative non-traditional transportation strategies such as
school. bus use, vehicle donations, volunteer drivers,
employer carpooling. Request TTA funds for $33,340.
RSCO1rIIKSNDATION: Manager recommends the board to request TTA's support
for all five Employment/work First initiatives.
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