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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 03-16-2021; 7-a - Mobility On Demand (M.O.D.) Pilot Program Implementation 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 16, 2021 Action Agenda Item No. 7-a SUBJECT: Mobility On Demand (M.O.D.) Pilot Program Implementation DEPARTMENT: Transportation Services (OCTS), Public Transportation Division ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Informational PowerPoint Theo Letman, Transportation Director, 919-245-2007 TeLeishia Holloway Transit Administrator, 919-245-2002 PURPOSE: To receive an update on activities related to the Orange County Public Transportation Mobility on Demand Pilot Program and related transit services. BACKGROUND: Orange County Public Transportation, in an effort to expand its services based in part on public participation comments received through various outreach efforts pursuant to the long range transportation planning process, has implemented a rideshare pilot program. Working in collaboration with Transloc, through a pilot grant with the Ford Motor Company, and using Article 43 Tax District funds, the County has been able to procure five (5) wheelchair accessible passenger vans, tablets, and also provide for driver salaries to cover this new service. Trip reservations for the service can be accessed by a website platform which is linked on the Orange County Public Transportation website, or by downloading the app from either the Apple store or Goggle store. Customers can also call the OCPT dispatch line at 919.245.2008. The pilot began on March 5, 2021 and will be fare free for the first month. Starting April 2nd, the fare will be $5 per trip, payable on the app. To ensure Federal Transit Administration, North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Transportation Security Administration COVID protocols are followed, all passengers are required to wear face masks while riding on board MOD vans. Vehicles will be sanitized regularly by Orange County staff and vendors to ensure the customers have as safe, healthy, and clean riding experience as feasible. 2 FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding has been programmed and allocated from the Article 43 Tax district budget for the Pilot program initiation, vehicle procurement, and ongoing operating expenses. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environment Responsibility Goal is applicable to this item: GOAL: CLEAN OR AVOIDED TRANSPORTATION Implement programs that monitor and improve local and regional air quality by: 1) promoting public transportation options; 2) decreasing dependence on single-occupancy vehicles, and 3) otherwise minimizing the need for travel. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board receive the report and provide any comments or questions. ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES M D MOBILITY ON DEMAND o �0 MOD - Mobility On Demand ORAN ;whe U N T Y Pilot Project MOBILITEMAND WeWgetyouu need to go! PVELICTRANSPOUATION MOD • • On • f MOD is a microtransit service that expands on our existing offerings while being: Scalable • Efficient O R A N G U N T Y • Cost effective • Innovative; this concept is relatively new to the public transit industry. • Similar to Uber/Lyft M O B I L I T E M A N D Many transit agencies have begun to experiment with microtransit, providing the We'll getyou whe u need to go! on-demand efficiency of ride sharing apps with the higher capacity of agency-owned vehicles. Microtransit projects: • Help to stretch transit budgets further • Grown customer awareness • Learn more about community needs Rideshare Companies Uber Uber/Lyft created the market for rideshare type services in 2014. Their service models use: • Smartphone apps • Let customers book trips, pay fares and get real time arrival estimates • Use tech that shows the customer • _ �,. vehicle and driver identification. • Employ part time "contractors" who sign on for work when they are available. This at times may delay , the ride until an on duty contractor/ t vehicle is available in the area. • Often vehicles are personal occupancy vehicles (POVs) which are usually sedans. OCPT has partnered with Transloc to provide: • The free TransLoc app for smartphones • Booking website, • https://ondemand.transloc.com/ • • • • Fare collection services • Marketing materials 51T IT ON Download on the This partnership is funded by: . . . • A grant with the Ford Motor Company (which Transloc is a subsidiary) • Matched by Article 43 tax district Transloc had also previously sponsored a funds; which are managed by the DCHC similar project with Go Triangle in the RTP MPO to ensure- financial capacity, (Research Triangle Park). That project was satisfactory continuing control, and geared more to connecting outlying technical capacity compliance customers with the fixed route network. standards are met. Prospect Hill ROU0. Phased Implementation �iJ:lc3:11 57 ,5D TransLoc developed simulations to understand iO Mebane how the service would operate and Hills[0.urn 5°' recommended the project have a phased 3tivfiefds r j i urliwersity Braggtown approach, gauged by ridership trends and • demands. Oaks Recommendations: Clap-, K11 • Start with smaller service area/zones Nhitney • Operate when existing OCPT services aren't i (Mobility On-Demand) available: Orange •• e • Fridays from 5pm-9pm Public • Saturdays from 9am-5pm ■ 9■ ., :,, The phased roll-out: vanceking Avallable Previously • Provides new transit options for customers • Np.w 11 after normal working hours on a weeknight O ■ 6 ' and provide all day service on Saturdays. ' • Compile data to gauge interest in the Routes OnDemand Search Me Settings service. Prospect Hill Rougeit l Phased Implementation 3J:1c3:11 57 Phase I- (Pilot) DO Mebane Zone 1 — Hillsborough: this zone Hills[.Dugh 5 encompasses Hillsborough proper down to 3tivfiefds r j Uriiuersity [� F3ragytown Eubanks Park and Ride area, inclusive of Southern Human Services Center (Weaver 001'�a'n Dairy Rd.), so as not to encroach upon Chapel Oaks , * .• ` Hill Transit's service area. Phase II- Full Service (running all three zones) Nhitney Ct*p;i Hllf • Zone 2 - Hillsborough N&W: this zone will MOD (Mobility On-Demand) serve Cedar Grove community to the north Orange County Transportation... and out to Mebane (i.e. Efland, Tanger Public Rldesharing Service Outlets) to the west, so as to not encroach ■ 9p upon the Alamance service area. • Zone 3 - Hillsborough —Durham (15-501 Corridor): this zone will provide service to the fV�w Hli Orange County side of 15-501, so as not to O ■ 6 ' encroach on the Durham County service area. I- f " - The fare structure is $5 per trips l within a zone. - Once a trip crosses over another • boundary the fare will increase to include that additional zone. • . Example: A trip from Mebane to 15- 501 would cross three boundaries and cost $15 per trip (crossed three i boundaries). Fares must be paid at the time of • M.O.D. drivers will never carry or collect booking the trip through the app, or fares, for their own safety. the trip will not be scheduled.. • The pilot will be fare-free from 5 March until 2 April 2021 Picks you up where you are. OUT initiated service with Takes you where existing staff to ensure: you went to go. • Safety At a fraction of • Customer Service the cost for • Operational performance ' privatetideshare. integrity IINOW NIRINP • Active recruitment for part- time driver positions is ongoing • As COVID-19 pandemic Public Transportation .dust Got personal improves, hopeful that we - will receive more applicants The bus stop is where you are_ r kw* 1 Microtransit is a new transit travel concept being adopted by many transit agencies across the United States. Brings demand-responsive services to new patrons A • Convenience and choice rides, to meet last mile, later night and weekend service. It gives customers flexibility to use transit Find Out 6TransL6c" when they need it, as opposed to a More A predetermined schedule. • 0 Id� OCPT is excited to bring Mobility On Demand to our community to use and enjoy! t 1 1 ngeCount Get on board MOD(Mobility On �� ♦Ij.�� r T Demand),a new after-hours and Saturday service from Orange County Public ZQ Transportation starting Friday,March 5! For just $5 per ride,the MOD van will pick up and drop off riders within Hillsborough. �• )EMAND a need to go! There are three ways you can request a We , same-day ride or schedule a trip with f MOD: $ 5 *00 E��.� • Call 919-245-2008 or PER TRIP! . Sign up with http://ondemand.transloc.com or • FREE TransLoc app,available in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store Fridays 5-9 pm & Saturdays 9-5 pm With theTransLoc app,you can see services available in your area,plan trips, book (919) 2445m2008 rides,and pay for your services in-app. Using MOD with TransLoc means your ride www.orangecountync.gov/MOD comes to you, not the other way around.