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O R A N G E C O U N T Y
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: MARCH 21, 1995
Action Agenda
Item # X-A
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A REGIONAL TRANSIT PLAN
DEPARTMENT: COUNTY MANAGER PUBLIC HEARING: Yes _X—No
ATTACHMENT(S) : INFORMATION CONTACT:
REGIONAL TRANSIT PLAN (SEPARATE MANAGER'S OFFICE, EXTENSION 2300
COVER)
LETTER FROM TRIANGLE TRANSIT AUTHORITY TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
RESOLUTION Hillsborough - 732-8181
Durham - 688-7331
Mebane - 227-2031
Chapel Hill - 967-9251/968-4501
PURPOSE: To receive the Triangle Transit Authority's
Preliminary Recommendations for a Regional Transit
Plan. The Board of County Commissioners is requested
to respond to the Plan by May 31, 1995.
BACKGROUND: Representatives of the Triangle Transit Authority
(TTA) will present the preliminary recommendations
which call for the expansion of the Regional Bus
Service and development of a Regional Rail System
using self-propelled diesel cars. The goal of the
transit system is to provide substantial passenger
carrying capacity for congested corridors, incentives
for focusing growth, a cost effective transportation
alternative for regional communities and improved
mobility for residents throughout the region. The TTA
is requesting that Orange County along with TTA and
the Town of Chapel Hill hold public meetings during
April to receive citizens input on the Regional
Transit Plan and consider adopting a resolution
similar to the example provided by May 31, 1995.
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends accepting the report and
participate in holding public meetings as cited above.
The resolution could be considered by the Board at a
regular meeting in May.
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yi.
TTA
Triangle Transit Authority
March 7, 1995
The Honorable Moses Carey, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
P.O. Box 8181
Hillsborough,NC 27278
Dear Commis Carey:
Enclosed are the Triangle Transit Authority's Preliminary Recommendations for a Regional Transit Plan. These
recommendations have been developed through over three years of technical study and far reaching community
participation. In the Triangle Fixed Guideway Study Process,TTA has worked to involve all of the units of government,
as well as the business community, the universities, and private institutions. Hundreds of Triangle Area citizens have
given their time and energy to make this work possible.
TTA requests that the Orange County Board of Commissioners consider our Preliminary Recommendations for a
Regional Transit Plan. These preliminary recommendations call for the expansion of the Regional Bus Service and
development of a Regional Rail system using self-propelled diesel cars. Full implementation of this plan will provide
time competitive transit options in our most congested corridors. We have found that, with the Triangle's projected
growth, like other places in America, no possible system of highways or transit will solve traffic congestion. The
regional transit system will provide substantial passenger carrying capacity for congested corridors, incentives for
focusing growth, a cost effective transportation alternative for regional commuters, and improved mobility for residents
throughout the Region.
We are requesting that Orange County, along with the TTA and the Town of Chapel Hill, hold public meetings during
April to receive Citizen input on the Regional Transit Plan. This is intended to initiate a review and input process that
will assist in evaluating the proposed Regional Transit Plan. TTA is seeking Orange County's response by May 31,
1995. For your reference,we have prepared the accompanying suggested resolution.
Your comments and support will enable TTA, in continued cooperation with the Orange County, to move forward with
the Implementation Recommendations, which include negotiations with the railroads, further engineering work and
planning studies. With a refined Plan, including updated capital and operating cost estimates, we will return to you
before an implementation decision is finalized.
The Triangle Transit Authority's Board of Trustees appreciates Orange County's support in the development of the
Regional Transit Plan. Working together,we can establish a cost effective regional transit system.
Sincerely,
Sandy Ogb ,Chair
Board of Trustees
Suite 206, 50 Park Drive A P.O.Box 13787 A Research Triangle Park A North Carolina 27709
Regional Bus:(919)549-9999 A Office:(919)406-1710 ♦ Fax:(919)990-9127
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RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PRELEMNARY RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR A REGIONAL TRANSIT PLAN
WHEREAS, in 1989, the NC Legislature, Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, the Cities of
Durham and Raleigh and the Towns of Cary and Chapel Hill, created the Triangle Transit Authority
to finance, provide, operate and maintain a safe, clean, reliable, convenient, energy efficient,
economical and environmentally sound public transportation system, in order to enhance mobility
and encourage sound growth patterns;and
WHEREAS, in 1990, during their joint meeting, the Greater Raleigh and Durham-Chapel Hill-
Carrboro Transportation Advisory Committees adopted a Land Use and Public Transportation
Action Agenda in which the Triangle Transit Authority, in coordination with local governments and
appropriate regional agencies, was directed to evaluate possible corridors and fixed guideway
technologies for potential implementation;and
WHEREAS, with the support and funding of the State and the participation of the units of local
government, the Triangle Transit Authority received a Federal Transit Administration grant and
initiated the Triangle Fixed Guideway Study to determine the desirability,feasibility and location of
a fixed guideway transit system;and
WHEREAS, the Triangle Transit Authority has worked cooperatively with the public, elected
and appointed officials, managers and staff from Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, the Cities
of Durham and Raleigh, the Towns of Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Carrboro, Fuquay-Varina,
Garner, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Wendell
and Zebulon, the NC Department of Transportation , the Triangle Region's Institutions, major
employers, economic and real estate development, financial, transportation and other public and
private sector agencies,business and community groups,on this Study;and
WHEREAS, based on the Study and input received from the public, elected and appointed
officials, and public and private institutions, the Triangle Transit Authority has developed
Preliminary Recommendations for a Regional Transit Plan.
NOW,THEREFORE,be it resolved by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that:
1. The Orange County Board of Commissioners expresses its appreciation to Nancy Lee
Lunn, who is serving as Orange County's appointment to the Triangle Transit Authority's
Triangle Fixed Guideway Study Advisory Committee, and for the time and effort of Orange
County's staff,who continue to work cooperatively with the Triangle Transit Authority.
2. The Orange County Board of Commissioners has reviewed TTA's Preliminary
Recommendations for a Regional Transit Plan, and requests that the Triangle Transit Authority
incorporate the attached comments in the Regional Transit Plan. Consistent with these
comments, the Orange County Board of Commissioners supports the adoption of the Regional
Transit Plan as the Long Range Transit Plan and the incorporation of the Plan in the Long Range
Transportation Plan, by the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MVO Transportation Advisory
Committee.
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3. The Triangle Transit Authority is hereby encouraged to implement Regional Bus
Service improvements at the earliest possible date.
4. The Triangle Transit Authority is hereby encouraged to negotiate agreements with the
railroads for access to the right-of-way for Regional Rail operation.
5. The Orange County Manager is hereby directed to work cooperatively with the
Triangle Transit Authority on the coordination of transit routes with Regional Rail stops and the
development of station area plans.
6. The North Carolina General Assembly is hereby requested to establish a permanent
funding source permitting the long term implementation of the Regional Transit Plan.
7. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is hereby requested to provide state
funds, supporting implementation of the Regional Transit Plan.
Passed and adopted this day of 1995