HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 09-11-2014 - 1ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: September 11, 2014
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: Central and Rural Orange County Five -Year Bus Service Expansion Concepts
— Orange Public Transportation
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
A) Staff - Recommended Bus
Service Expansion Program
Summary — Option #1
B) Staff - Recommended Bus
Service Expansion Program
Summary — Option #2
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Benedict, Planning Director, 919 - 245 -2592
Bret Martin, Transportation Planner, 919 - 245 -2582
Tom Altieri, Comprehensive Planning Supervisor,
919- 245 -2579
Peter Murphy, Transportation Administrator, 919 -245-
2002
PURPOSE: To receive a presentation and review staff - recommended Orange Public
Transportation (OPT) bus service expansion concepts proposed for central and rural Orange
County over the next five (5) years and provide feedback to staff on the BOCC's preferred
option.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Bus and Rail Investment Plan ( OCBRIP) was approved
by the BOCC in June 2012. The OCBRIP provides local and regional transit opportunities
including expanded bus service and proposed light rail. Voters in November 2012 approved a
one -half cent sales tax and vehicle registration fee increase to fund the local financial
contribution to projects recommended in the Plan, and collection of these revenues began on
April 1, 2013.
Additional background documents such as the adopted OCBRIP can be found via the following
link, listed under Transportation Documents:
http: / /www.co. orange. nc .us /planning /transportation.asp
At its May 8, 2014 and June 17, 2014 meetings, the BOCC received presentations on concepts
for expanding OPT and Triangle Transit (TTA) bus operations in central and rural Orange
County over the next five years, as well as the results of public outreach conducted by both OPT
and Triangle Transit staff to advertise and receive feedback on the proposed concepts. The
BOCC also endorsed the Orange- Durham Express (ODX) service proposed by Triangle Transit.
Triangle Transit initiated Phase I (Hillsborough to Durham) of this service on August 18, 2014,
and Phase II (extension to Mebane) is expected to commence in early 2015.
Orange Public Transportation Bus Service Expansion Guiding Principles
The bus service expansion concepts proposed for operation by OPT in central and rural Orange
County involve:
• Incremental increases in new or expanded financially sustainable bus service over the
next five (5) years;
• Complementary services to transit services provided by other transit agencies (Triangle
Transit, Chapel Hill Transit, Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, and
eventually the City of Burlington's transit system) and expansion of services to provide
connections among them;
• Augmentation of transportation services provided by other County Departments such as
Aging, Health and Social Services;
• Maintenance and expansion of OPT's slant toward human services and local fixed -route
transportation in underserved areas of Orange County while other transit agencies focus
on regional commuter services; and
• The advancement of the goals of the OCBRIP, including:
• Improve overall mobility and transportation options in the region
• Provide geographic equity
• Support improved capital facilities
• Support transit supportive land use
• Provide positive impact on air quality
General Service Concepts
The general service concepts presented for OPT at the May 8, 2014 and June 17, 2014 BOCC
regular meetings included:
• Expanded dial -a -ride, rural general public demand response service;
• Expanded senior center transportation;
• Initiation of a midday (10am -3pm) local fixed -route service connecting Mebane, Efland,
Hillsborough and Durham;
• Extension of the existing Route 420 midday service (currently connecting Hillsborough
and Chapel Hill) to Cedar Grove with more frequent service; and
• Continuation of the existing Hillsborough Circulator service and expansion to an
additional hour of service.
These concepts were developed by Orange County staff based on the OCBRIP goals, OPT's
general service expansion goals, public input collected during outreach meetings (last summer
and in May and August 2014), input collected from inter - departmental collaboration,
demographic data, and survey data. For this item, OPT is requesting that the BOCC receive a
presentation, pose questions, discuss the two bus service expansion program options as
reflected in Attachments A and B and provide feedback to staff as to a preferred option for
implementation.
It is important to note that the development of Option #2 was a response to the public input
Orange County staff received upon presenting the concepts associated with Option #1 and that
service concepts from both options can be mixed and matched to form additional service
program alternatives. The primary differences between Options #1 and #2 are:
• Option #2 provides two -day per week service to the rural, low- density northern and
southern areas of the County while Option #1 provides one -day per week service to only
the rural northern areas;
3
• Option #2 involves one -hour directional headways for the U.S. 70 midday service and
provides a fixed -route connection among Mebane, Hillsborough and Efland, whereas
Option #1 involves two -hour directional headways and an extended connection to
Durham; and
• Option #2 does not provide the Efland- Hillsborough commuter loop service, whereas
Option #1 does.
The presentation will also include follow -up information to specific questions asked by Board
members at the June 17, 2014 meeting in response to the original presentation of the draft bus
service expansion program options. Other policy decisions that must be made as part of the
program, such as the collection of fares and minimum service standards, will also be discussed.
Bus Capital Availability
It has become apparent from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Public
Transportation Division (NCDOT -PTD) that OPT will not be able to make use of the new buses it
has requested that are essential to providing these expanded services until winter 2015.
Consequently, the County and OPT have more time than originally anticipated to finalize the bus
service expansion program before implementation. However, certain steps in the transit service
planning process that must be undertaken before program execution cannot be completed until
a bus service expansion program is endorsed.
Next Steps for BOCC
If the BOCC chooses to indicate a preference for an option for OPT's expansion concepts,
Orange County planning staff will develop and draft more detailed service design characteristics
(i.e., service times, stop locations, bus capital programming, etc.) for inclusion in OPT's
Community Transportation Service Plan (CTSP), which will return for the BOCC's consideration
and approval at a future regular meeting.
Public outreach, education, and marketing of these new routes will be ongoing over the next
several months prior to and during the initiation of service. Results of prior public outreach
conducted by both Orange County and Triangle Transit staff are accessible using the following
link:
http://www.co.orange.nc.us/occlerks/1 40617. pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Although this item does not have an immediate financial impact, the
associated activity relates to the process to expend half -cent transit sales tax revenue and the
$7 county vehicle registration fees. The expansion of the proposed OPT services is to be
financially supported in full by these revenue sources. The $3 increase to the TTA regional tag
fee will begin affecting residents in October 2014.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board:
1. Receive the presentation; and
2. Discuss as necessary the proposed program Options #1 and #2 (Attachments A and B)
and consider providing feedback indicating a preference for one of the options, or a
combination thereof, if deemed appropriate.
ATTACHMENT A: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - O tion1 4
Five -Year Bus Service Expansion Recommendations Map - F3ption 1
Caswell
m
c
E
ZI
1
amp-10 9
Chatham
Person
Durham
Route
M Northeastern County
Zonal Boundaries
M Northwestern County
Zonal Boundaries
- Later Senior Center
Service
US 70 Midday Service
- Efland- Hillsborough
Commuter Loop
Route 420 Expansion
Hillsborough
_ Circulator with
Additional Noon Hour
Service J
N 1 in = 2.9 miles
0 1
Miles
Orange County Planning and Inspections
Brian Carson (8/29/2014)
ATTACHMENT A: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option #1
Option #1 - OPT 5 -Year Bus Service Expansion Recommendation Notes
1) Northeastern and Northwestern County Zonal Routes — Route would tentatively come online early 2015,
would be one (1) day per week on a Tuesday or Thursday running up to five (5) hours per day with one (1)-
to two (2) -hour headways during off -peak periods, and would run a fixed -route or deviated fixed -route
schedule. The results of additional public outreach conducted in August 2014 indicated a demand among
rural residents for a more certain fixed -route schedule as opposed to a demand - response method. The route
would connect residents in northern Orange County to destinations and additional transit connections in
Mebane and Hillsborough. The service would involve a nominal fare for general public riders with the
possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify for other services with the Department of
Social Services.
2) Later Senior Center Service — Route would tentatively come online in early 2015, would be a daily weekday
service running approximately three (3) hours per day (two, up to 1.5 -hour run time structured routes), and
would run a deviated fixed route or point- deviated demand response schedule. The route would provide later
service from Orange County senior centers (with an emphasis on the Central Orange Senior Center) beyond
times the service is currently provided. The service would be fare -free. Orange County Planning and
Inspections and Department on Aging staff have secured grant funding to cover this service for FY 2016
from another source and will continue to pursue the same grant funding for this service in subsequent years.
3) US 70 Midday Service — Route would tentatively come online January 2015, would be a daily weekday
fixed -route service running approximately five (5) hours per day during off -peak periods with two (2) -hour
headways per direction and a total one (1) -hour directional run time. The route would connect
Mebane /Buckhorn and Efland with destinations and additional transit connections in Hillsborough and
Durham (Duke/VA Hospital). The service would involve a nominal fare if OPT is able to position itself to
accept fare cards used by Triangle Transit customers with the possibility of vouchers issued to low- income
riders who qualify for other services with the Department of Social Services. This service is being designed
to correspond with and complement Triangle Transit's proposed peak period Orange- Durham Express
(ODX) service.
4) Efland - Hillsborough Commuter Loop — When Phase II of Triangle Transit's Orange- Durham Express
commences in early 2015, OPT will run an Efland- Hillsborough commuter loop to provide peak - period and
peak- direction service from Efland to link into the Triangle Transit Orange- Durham Express service in
Hillsborough. After providing the short Efland to Hillsborough run, the route would then be run to provide an
employment commuting- oriented, pre - Hillsborough Circulator service to connect transit - dependent
residential origins in northern Hillsborough to service sector employment destinations in southern
Hillsborough before heading back to Efland to provide the next Efland to Hillsborough commuter link service
run. The service would involve a nominal fare if OPT is able to position itself to accept fare cards used by
Triangle Transit customers with the possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify for other
services with the Department of Social Services.
5) Route 420 Expansion — Route would tentatively come online in early 2015, would be a daily weekday
service running up to an additional six (6) hours per day (three [3] hours each northbound and southbound)
with one (1) -hour headways, and would run a fixed -route schedule. This is in addition to the existing three
(3) service hours per day currently run by the midday Route 420; the full service schedule would involve a
total of nine (9) midday service hours. This assumes a one (1) -hour run time each way. The existing Route
420 would be expanded to connect Cedar Grove with destinations and additional transit connections in
Hillsborough and would continue on to destinations and additional transit connections in Chapel Hill. The
service would involve a nominal fare if OPT is able to position itself to accept fare cards used by Triangle
Transit customers with the possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify for other services
with the Department of Social Services.
6) Hillsborough Circulator with Additional Noon Hour Service — Route would begin using OPT OCBRIP funding
July 2015 and would continue the existing Hillsborough Circulator service with an additional hour added for
12pm -1 pm. The service would involve a nominal fare if OPT is able to position itself to accept fare cards
used by Triangle Transit customers with the possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify
for other services with the Department of Social Services.
A
ATTACHMENT A: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option #1
Option #1 - Bus Service Ex ansion Program Bud et Summary
Route /Service Concept
Map
ID*
Start
Date"""
Estimated
Weekday
Service
Hours
Estimated
Annual
Weekdays
Estimated
Annual Service
Hours
Estimated
Total Annual
Operating Cost
i
No service implementation programmed for FY 2014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
NE Zonal Route 1 day/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
26
130
$6,080
NWZonal Route 1 day/week)
1B
1/1/2015
5
26
130
$6,080
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
125
375
$17,539
U.S. 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
125
625
$29,231
Efland - Hillsborough Commuter Loop
4
1/1/2015
5
125
625
$29,231
Route 420 expansion
5
1/1/2015
6
125
750
$35,078
FY 2015 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
--
--
--
2,635
$123,239
oil
NE Zonal route 1 day/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,537
NWZonal Route 1 day/week)
1B
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,537
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
250
750
$0
US 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$60,275
Efland - Hillsborough Commuter Loop
4
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$60,275
Route 420 expansion
5
1/1/2015
6
250
1,500
$72,330
Hillsborough Circulator add 1 hour/day)
6
7/1/2015
9
250
2,250
$108,495
FY 2016 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
--
--
--
7,520
$326,449
NE Zonal route 1 day/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,926
NWZonal Route 1 day/week)
1B
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,926
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
250
750
$37,286
US 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$62,144
Efland - Hillsborough Commuter Loop
4
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$62,144
Route 420 expansion
5
1/1/2015
6
250
1,500
$74,572
Hillsborough Circulator add 1 hour/day)
6
7/1/2015
9
250
2,250
$111,859
FY 2017 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
- --
--
--
7,520
$373,857
NE Zonal Route 1 day/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$13,327
NWZonal Route 1 day/week)
1B
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$13,327
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
250
750
$38,442
US 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$64,070
Efland - Hillsborough Commuter Loop
4
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$64,070
Route 420 expansion
5
1/1/2015
6
250
1,500
$76,884
Hillsborough Circulator add 1 hour/day)
6
7/1/2015
9
250
2,250
$115,326
FY 2018 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
--
7,520
1 $385,446
All previously implemented services carried forward
7,520
$397,394
Notes: *See attached map depicting locations of service concepts and attached notes for explanation and more information on service concepts,
* *Assumes no leveraging of Federal or State grants for operations and assumes operational cost of $44 /hour in FY 2013 dollars with cost
escalation of 3.1 % per year; ** *Exact schedule of route concept implementation depends on availability of eligible bus capital and staffing.
ATTACHMENT A: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option #1
Option #1 - Recommended Unfunded Service Concepts In Priority Order
Estimated
Estimated
Estimated
Route /Service
Weekday/Weekend
Annual
Estimated
Total Annual
Service
Weekdays/Weekend
Annual Service
Operating Cost
Hours
Days
Hours
in FY 2015
Dollars
Expand U.S. 70 midday service to provide hourly headways
5
250
1,250
$58,463
Expand Route 420 midday service to a total of 12 service hours
3
250
750
$35,078
Hillsborough Circulator early morning /evening service
3
250
750
$35,078
Southern Orange County Curb to Curb Demand Response
variable
250
variable
Variable
Service
Hillsborough Circulator Weekend Service
6
52
312
$14,592
Expansion of Route 420 Peak Service to Cedar Grove
4
250
1,000
$46,770
Saturday Cross - County Service (same as U.S. 70 midday service)
5
52
260
$12,160
Expand Hillsborough Circulator to provide half -hour headways
Up to 9
250
Up to 2,250
Up to $105,233
ATTACHMENT B: Staff- Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option 2 8
Five -Year Bus Service Expansion Recommendations Map - Option 2
E
r
Caswell
icy.
15
Person
iup
Durham
Route
M Northeastern County
Zonal Boundaries
M Northwestern County
Zonal Boundaries
` Southern County
Zonal Boundary
- Later Senior Center
Service
US 70 Midday Service
Route 420 Expansion
Hillsborough
_ Circulator with
Additional Noon Hour
Service
N 1 in = 2.9 miles
0 1
Miles
Orange County
Planning and Inspections
Brian Carson (8/29/2014)
n
9
ATTACHMENT B: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option #2
Option #2 - OPT 5 -Year Bus Service Expansion Recommendation Notes
1) Northeastern, Northwestern and Southern County Zonal Routes — Routes would tentatively come online
early 2015, would be two (2) days per week on a Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday schedule for
each respective zone running up to five (5) hours per day with one (1)- to two (2) -hour headways during off-
peak periods, and would run a fixed -route or deviated fixed -route schedule. The results of additional public
outreach conducted in August 2014 indicated a demand among rural residents for a more certain fixed -route
schedule as opposed to a demand - response method. The route would connect rural residents in northern
and southern Orange County to destinations and additional transit connections in Mebane, Hillsborough,
Chapel Hill and Durham. The service would involve a nominal fare for general public riders (with the
possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify for other services with the Department of
Social Services.
2) Later Senior Center Service — Route would tentatively come online in early 2015, would be a daily weekday
service running approximately three (3) hours per day (two, 1.5 -hour run time structured routes), and would
run a deviated fixed route or point- deviated demand response schedule. The route would provide later
service from Orange County senior centers (with an emphasis on the Central Orange Senior Center) beyond
times the service is currently provided. The service would be fare -free. Orange County Planning and
Inspections and Department on Aging staff have secured grant funding to cover this service for FY 2016
from another source and will continue to pursue the same grant funding for this service in subsequent years.
3) US 70 Midday Service — Route would tentatively come online in early 2015, would be a daily weekday fixed -
route service running approximately five (5) hours per day during off -peak periods with one (1) -hour
headways per direction and a total 30- minute directional run time. The route would connect
Mebane /Buckhorn and Efland with destinations and additional transit connections in Hillsborough. This
concept would not connect to DukeNA Hospital in Durham. The service would involve a nominal fare if OPT
is able to position itself to accept fare cards used by Triangle Transit customers with the possibility of
vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify for other services with the Department of Social Services.
This service is being designed to correspond with and complement Triangle Transit's proposed peak period
Orange- Durham Express (ODX) service.
4) Route 420 Expansion — Route would tentatively come online in early 2015, would be a daily weekday
service running up to an additional six (6) hours per day (three [3] hours each northbound and southbound)
with one (1) -hour headways, and would run a fixed -route schedule. This is in addition to the existing three
(3) service hours per day currently run by the midday Route 420; the full service schedule would involve a
total of nine (9) midday service hours. This assumes a one (1) -hour run time each way. The existing Route
420 would be expanded to connect Cedar Grove with destinations and additional transit connections in
Hillsborough and would continue on to destinations and additional transit connections in Chapel Hill. The
service would involve a nominal fare if OPT is able to position itself to accept fare cards used by Triangle
Transit customers with the possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify for other services
with the Department of Social Services.
5) Hillsborough Circulator with Additional Noon Hour Service — Route would begin using OPT OCBRIP funding
July 2015 and would continue the existing Hillsborough Circulator service with an additional hour added for
12pm -1 pm. The service would involve a nominal fare if OPT is able to position itself to accept fare cards
used by Triangle Transit customers with the possibility of vouchers issued to low- income riders who qualify
for other services with the Department of Social Services.
10
ATTACHMENT B: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option #2
Option #2 - Bus Service Ex ansion Program Bud et Summary
Route /Service Concept
Map
ID*
Start
Date"""
Estimated
Weekday
Service
Hours
Estimated
Annual
Weekdays
Estimated
Annual Service
Hours
Estimated
Total Annual
Operating Cost
JL
i
,
No service implementation programmed for FY 2014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
oil
NE Zonal Route 2 days/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,160
NWZonal Route 2 days/week)
113
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,160
Southern Zonal Route 2 days/week)
1C
1/1/2015
5
52
260
$12,160
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
125
375
$17,539
U.S. 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
125
625
$29,231
Route 420 ex ansion
4
1/1/2015
6
125
750
$35,078
FY 2015 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
--
--
--
2,530
$118,328
oil
NE Zonal Route 2days/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$25,074
NWZonal Route 2days/week)
113
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$25,074
Southern Zonal Route 2 days/week)
1C
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$25,074
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
250
750
$0
US 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$60,275
Route 420 expansion
4
1/1/2015
6
250
1,500
$72,330
Hillsborough Circulator add 1 hour/day)
5
7/1/2015
9
250
2,250
$108,495
FY 2016 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
--
--
--
7,310
$316,322
NE Zonal Route 2 days/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$25,852
NW Zonal Route 2days/week)
113
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$25,852
Southern Zonal Route (2days /week)
1C
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$25,852
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
250
750
$37,286
US 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$62,144
Route 420 expansion
4
1/1/2015
6
250
1,500
$74,572
Hillsborough Circulator add 1 hour/day)
5
7/1/2015
9
250
2,250
$111,859
FY 2017 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
- --
--
--
7,310
$363,417
oil
NE Zonal Route 2 days/week)
1A
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$26,653
NW Zonal Route 2days/week)
113
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$26,653
Southern Zonal Route 2 days/week)
1C
1/1/2015
5
104
520
$26,653
Later Senior Center Routes
2
1/1/2015
3
250
750
$38,442
US 70 Midday Route
3
1/1/2015
5
250
1,250
$64,070
Route 420 expansion
4
1/1/2015
6
250
1,500
$76,884
Hillsborough Circulator add 1 hour/day)
5
7/1/2015
9
250
2,250
$115,326
FY 2018 Anticipated Operating Expenditures-
--
--
--
--
7,310
$374,681
iii
F1 @I gal
All previously implemented services carried forward
7,310
$386,296
Notes: *See attached map depicting locations of service concepts and attached notes for explanation and more information on service concepts,
* *Assumes no leveraging of Federal or State grants for operations and assumes operational cost of $44 /hour in FY 2013 dollars with cost
escalation of 3.1 % per year; ** *Exact schedule of route concept implementation depends on availability of eligible bus capital and staffing.
11
ATTACHMENT B: Staff - Recommended Bus Service Expansion Program Summary - Option #2
Option #2 - Recommended Unfunded Service Concepts In Priority Order
Estimated
Estimated
Estimated
Route /Service
Weekday/Weekend
Annual
Estimated
Total Annual
Service
Weekdays/Weekend
Annual Service
Operating Cost
Hours
Days
Hours
in FY 2015
Dollars
Expand Route 420 service to a total of 12 service hours
3
250
750
$35,078
Expand U.S. 70 midday service to Durham and provide hourly
5
250
1,250
$58,463
headways
Provide peak direction and peak period link from Efland to
5
250
1,250
$58,463
Hillsborough to connect to TTA Route ODX
Hillsborough Circulator early morning /evening service
3
250
750
$35,078
Hillsborough Circulator Weekend Service
6
52
312
$14,592
Expansion of Route 420 Peak Service to Cedar Grove
4
250
1,000
$46,770
Saturday Cross - County Service (same as U.S. 70 midday service)
5
52
260
$12,160
Expand Hillsborough Circulator to provide half -hour headways
Up to 9
250
Up to 2,250
Up to $105,233