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Agenda - 10-15-2024; 5-a - Short Range Transit Plan
1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 15, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 5-a SUBJECT: Short Range Transit Plan DEPARTMENT: Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Short Range Transit Plan Nishith Trivedi, Transportation Director, 2. Public Hearing Record 919-245-2007 PURPOSE: To conduct a public hearing and approve the Orange County Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). BACKGROUND: Orange County completed the SRTP following a yearlong planning process that included two (2) rounds of public engagement, multiple pop-up events such as local Farmer's Markets, and other public events. The SRTP effort started in November 2023 with the first round of public engagement completed in March 2024 and the second round completed early September 2024. Nelson Nygaard as the consultant conducted the planning process which resulted in the following highlights: • Goals o Equity o Economic Prosperity o Environmental Sustainability o Transportation & Access for All o Affordable & Attainable Quality of Life • Objectives and Metrics o County Strategic Plan • Recommendations o Services ■ Short Term • Mobility on Demand Service Improvements • Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 1 • Mebane Circulator • Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 1 ■ Mid Term • Demand Response Weekend Service ■ Long Term • Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 2 • Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 2 0 MOD Service Span Expansion 2 o Policy and Programs o Short Term ■ Alternative Fare Payment ■ Transit Information Campaign ■ Improve Demand Response Booking o Mid Term ■ Hire Mobility Manager ■ Conduct Fare Study o Capital ■ Bus Stop Improvements ■ Rural Mobility Hubs ■ Walking Access to Transit Orange County Transportation Services issued the public hearing notice in English and Spanish (Attachment 2) for this October 15, 2024 Board meeting. The County's Transportation Advisory Service (TAS) and Orange Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) both recommended the SRTP be approved by the Board of County Commissioners. TAS Action: September 26, 2024 — The TAS unanimously recommended approval. OUTBoard Action: September 30, 2024 — The OUTBoard unanimously recommended approval. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact at this time. Projects identified in the SRTP are pursued through variety of financial resources including and not limited to: Federal Transit Administration grants, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations resources and the 2022 County Transit Plan Update. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • GOAL 4: MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION OBJECTIVE 1. Identify priorities and resources necessary to implement the Orange County Transit Plan. OBJECTIVE 2. Increase community awareness of all modes of transportation including transit, bike and pedestrian, vehicle, and all other modes. OBJECTIVE 4. Coordinate transit investments with municipal and county land use planning to reduce vehicle miles travelled and to provide more equitable access to shopping, employment, medical centers, college campuses, etc. OBJECTIVE 6. Update transportation related plans to provide more multi- modal options including rural Orange County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Conduct the public hearing on Orange County SRTP; and 2. Approve the SRTP. ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Short Range Transit Plan 2025 to 2030 45�.......... September 2024 �� NNYGAARD N � ELSO N xr � Ya .h� sr . 4 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Table of Contents Page 1 Overview........................................................................................................................... 1 Orange County Transportation Services.................................................................................................1 OrangeCounty Transit Plan........................................................................................................................1 ShortRange Transit Plan..............................................................................................................................1 2 Existing Conditions..........................................................................................................2 CurrentService.................................................................................................................................................2 Demandfor Transit.........................................................................................................................................3 ServicePerformance.......................................................................................................................................4 PublicEngagement Key Findings..............................................................................................................4 3 Project Goals, Objectives, and Metrics.......................................................................... 6 4 Recommended Strategies............................................................................................... 7 StrategyTypes..................................................................................................................................................7 TransitService Strategies..............................................................................................................................7 Policy and Program Strategies.................................................................................................................15 Capital Improvement Strategies..............................................................................................................17 5 Summary........................................................................................................................22 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN 1 OVERVIEW Short Range Transit Plan The projects and priorities identified in the Orange County Transit Orange County Plan and its updates inform the short-term planning efforts of transit agencies that operate in Orange County, including OCTS. Transportation Services The Orange County Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) guides the Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) provides fixed- improvement of OCTS transit through 2030. The SRTP analyzes route bus, demand response, and microtransit services existing service performance and markets, evaluates strategies for throughout Orange County, NC and to surrounding communities improving transit, and recommends a year-by-year transit within 10 miles. OCTS is one of three main public transit providers investment program through 2030. This SRTP document is in Orange County, primarily serving the municipalities of accompanied by four appendices: Hillsborough and Mebane and the unincorporated areas of the ■ Appendix A: Existing Conditions County. Chapel Hill Transit provides service in Chapel Hill and ■ Appendix B: Strategies Evaluation Carrboro, and GoTriangle connects the major regional . Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan destinations. ■ Appendix D: Public Engagement Orange County Transit Plan Development of the SRTP was overseen by the Core Technical Team, a group of key stakeholders meeting regularly to review In 2012, voters in Orange County approved a half-cent sales tax and provide feedback throughout the SRTP process. Members of to fund transit service and transit infrastructure improvements in the Core Technical Team include representatives from the county. Revenues from the Transit Tax support transit services municipalities in the service area, regional agencies, and the other provided by OCTS, Chapel Hill Transit, and GoTriangle, and are transit providers in the county. Funding for identified projects is allocated based on the needs, values, and priorities laid out in the provided through multiple sources, in addition to the funding Orange County Transit Plan and subsequent updates. The 2022 allocated through the Orange County Transit Plan. Orange County Transit Plan Update guides the allocation of revenue from the transit tax over the next 20 years. The Orange Transit Governing Boards include the Governance ILA parties, which consists of the Orange Board of County Commissioners, the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro (DCHC MPO) Executive Board, and the GoTriangle Board of Trustees. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 1 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN 2 EXISTING Figure 1: Current OCTS Fixed Route Service ------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------r--- CONDITIONS o o - aa Current Serviceel Stare Ro 'Qe' OCTS provides both regional and local service with its fixed route O 3` e Pa schl, buses, shown in Figure 1. The Hillsborough Circulator is a local a� route serving key destinations in Hillsborough. Two regional o ays Rd connector routes, the Orange-Alamance Connector and the i Lebanon Rd m Orange-Chapel Hill Connector, connect Hillsborough with other Mebane o = regional destinations and fill a midday gap for peak-only ¢ Hillsborough GoTriangle bus routes, with additional local service stops. EachOA OCTS route and service has different hours of operation, though10 0 all fixed route buses are scheduled to operate hourly throughout Old NC a their service period. ��`� ��er co aQ� ewa/)/s9 Ness ML Sinai Rtl � Along with the paratransit provided within 3/a mile of fixed route r service as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, OCTS a c EVbaaKs Rd provides two types of non-fixed route service: program-based rural demand response service and a publicly available o a x steatlRa microtransit service called Orange County Mobility on Demand as EstasO (MOD). Both service types operate throughout all of Orange O Chapel Hill •• Carrboro Q County and serve key destinations in Mebane and Durham. Orange County Public Transit Routes Old Greensboro Rd Fa Qa Hillsborough Circulator Orange-Chapel Hill Connector so¢ee z Ca P Orange-Nlaance Connector --m (E Cnl oatasoamz::orange coangaaerc inn:a ae lznu. N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 2 7 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Demand for Transit Figure 2: Population and Employment Densities ---------------------------L---------------------------------------- A major factor in determining the demand for transit is density: where people live and work, and how those areas areCarr O `' concentrated. Population and employment density may be used Caldwell to indicate an appropriate level of transit service. Areas that are m 'Nre Rd O higher density may be able to support more frequent fixed route Cedar Grove 3E transit, while areas with lower density may be better suited for �Ra s°b`9a demand response or microtransit services. ` aA Ra O `CJ4 Population density and transit demand is greatest in the Carrboro, Leba°on Rd i 3e sfte'lsad Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Mebane areas. The rest of theeba�a a _ count is rural where demand-response services may be more P " �a v . Y p Y Efland �Eqy Miles '"""• c suitable than fixed-route transit. Most of the employment density ' Hillsborough - is located within towns and cities and along major corridors. Service jobs make up the largest share of jobs in the county. BuckhornOld NC In Together, population and employment density give a more G,oeP `° Was complete picture of potential demand for transit. Figure 2 shows a o'o9e "ear 0 the combined population and employment densities by Traffic N E"banks Q Euba�MS Rtl_ �% b0ham�I� Analysis Zone. Blue areas on the map signify areas with high h { ata employment density but lower population density, while orange Calvander �ste.dRd '. slip represents areas with higher population density and lower job density. Darker brown areas have high densities of both White °aa s , Existing 2020 ChapeIHIII Population and rvVn^ �;.�i- •al w Carrboro. employment and population. E"p'°Y"'a"t°e"a"`eS ���r°;� ' i 40 v x■■■ Old Greensboro Rd MEN ll, `c RJ �: Based on an analysis of travel patterns amongst all modes of T LE °ces�e e r transportation, most trips take place within municipalities. There is peupleperpere E r - - -------- oe�seertt::ocxc neo zazo - �u. NO also relatively strong travel demand along the Mebane- Hillsborough corridor. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Service Performance boardings per revenue hour, and it has recovered to approximately 78% of its pre-pandemic ridership. The Orange- Ridership on OCTS's demand response services declined Alamance Connector, on the other end of the spectrum, is significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and currently partially suspended and covered by demand response continued to decline in 2021. Fixed route ridership did not see the service, and it had the lowest ridership of the three fixed routes same steep decline in 2020 but decreased in 2018 and again in before its suspension. 2021 (Figure 3). Figure 3:Annual Unlinked Passenger Trips by Service Type Public Engagement Key 60,000 Findings 50,000 40,000 PHASE 1 30,000 The first phase of engagement for the plan took place from 20,000 March 4 to March 31, 2024. Target audiences included transit riders, Orange County residents, traditionally underserved 10,00o communities (both riders and non-riders), and other community o stakeholders. The project team held a series of pop-ups at bus 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 shelters, community centers, and community events across --*—Fixed Route +Demand Response Orange County (Figure 4). Standalone polling boards featuring project details and simple questions were placed in transit Source: FTA NTD shelters at key bus stops in Orange County. A short survey was The pandemic and resulting changes to commute patterns, paired distributed both online and in print form in English and Spanish with vehicle and driver shortage challenges at the agency, have to Orange County stakeholders and 13 community centers, led to significant on-the-ground changes to the services being libraries, and apartments. A total of 191 participants completed offered in recent years, including route suspensions and service the survey. hour changes. These challenges and changes make exact Locations where participants were most interested in seeing comparisons over time difficult on the level of an individual route better transit services included between Hillsborough and Chapel or service. The Hillsborough Circulator is OCTS's highest Hill, from unincorporated Orange County into the municipalities, performing fixed-route service in both total ridership and and between Hillsborough and Mebane. Survey and pop-up Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN respondents favored midday weekday service the most, followed all services, including missed trips and lack of clear information, by Saturday service, while polling board respondents were most and there was strong support for proposals focused on improving interested in peak commute service and expanded morning and reliability and communication. Feedback on how to communicate evening hours. changes was also incorporated into the implementation steps for Participants desired improvements to transit services, including project proposals. reliability, frequency, extended coverage, on-demand options, Figure 4: Pop-Up Event at Seymour Senior Center and accessible information such as real-time tracking apps. ---SOL Additionally, they emphasized the importance of improving access to public transit through facilities like park and ride II facilities, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure. PHASE 2 The second round of public engagement took place from August 19 to September 12, 2024, to gather feedback on the proposed strategies and implementation timeline, as well as continue to _t educate residents about Orange County's transportation options. The project team held a series of seven pop-up events at community centers, senior centers, shopping locations, and local 4 events across the service area. A short survey and informational flier were distributed both online and in print form in English, Spanish, and Mandarin to Orange County stakeholders and 14 I community centers, libraries, and apartments. 133 people completed the survey online or in person, and over 125 people participated in conversations with project staff at pop-up events and presentations. Overall, engagement participants were supportive of the proposed changes and improvements in the SRTP. Beyond the specific proposals, reliability continues to be a major concern for Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN 3 PROJECT GOALS — Increase community awareness of all modes of transportation including transit, bike and pedestrian, OBJECTIVES, AND vehicle, and all other modes ■ Transportation &Access for All METRICS — Prioritize transit service that increases transit access for the most people to the most places An evaluation framework allows Orange County to prioritize ■ Affordable &Attainable Quality of Life recommendations and evaluate projects, policies, and programs for their ability to achieve the goals and values of the Orange — Prioritize transit service connections to affordable County Transit Plan and Orange County Strategic Plan. The Core housing, recreation, and arts and cultural Community Values from the Orange County Transit Plan Update opportunities. provided the foundation for evaluating the proposed strategies, — Identify priorities and resources necessary to and objectives for each value were taken directly from either the implement the Orange County Transit Plan. Transit Plan Update or the multimodal transportation section of For evaluation purposes, metrics were created to measure how the Strategic Plan. The Core Values and related Objectives well a project supported each objective, with a total of nine final include: metrics in the evaluation framework. Each strategy was scored ■ Equity from one to three points per metric. Methods of measurement — Prioritize the transit needs of underserved or transit- varied depending on the type of strategy, and both quantitative dependent residents; includes historically disinvested and qualitative approaches were used. Final scores based on the communities of color, lower-income neighborhoods, evaluation framework helped to prioritize different strategies and seniors, and rural communities. spend Orange County's funds in accordance with their core values. Full methodology details and strategy scores are available ■ Economic Prosperity in Appendix B: Strategies Evaluation. — Prioritize increasing access to jobs and opportunities ■ Environmental5ustainability — Prioritize accessible and convenient transit service in areas with existing or planned higher density development. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6 11 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN 4 RECOMMENDED Plan may differ slightly from those in Appendix B based on engagement feedback and technical considerations. STRATEGIES Transitrvi r i Service Strategies es Strategy Types Short Term projects should be implemented early in the SRTP timeframe, and resources are available within the current known A broad range of strategies for improving public transportation in budget. Short term transit service strategies include: Orange County were developed based on findings from the ■ Mobility on Demand Service Improvements Existing Conditions report, the first round of public engagement, and other adopted transportation plans. Strategies were • Discontinue Orange-Alamance Connector categorized into three types: • Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 1 1. Transit service strategies— both new services and ' Mebane Circulator operational changes to existing services, including fixed- • Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 1 route, on-demand, and rural demand response services Medium Term projects should be implemented later in the SRTP 2. Policies and programs—strategies that target agency timeframe, and may require additional funding sources such as policies or administrative activities winning grant money. Medium term transit service strategies 3. Capital improvements— physical infrastructure projects include: beyond basic bus stop signs. ■ Demand Response Weekend Service All strategies were presented to the Core Technical Team and Long Term projects should be pursued after the SRTP timeframe adjusted based on feedback before moving to evaluation. ends, as funding is currently unavailable. Long term transit service Strategies were slotted into the available budget and the 2025 to strategies include: 2030 timeline before being reviewed by stakeholders and the public. The timeframe of the SRTP was broken into two key • Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 2 periods: short-term strategies that should be implemented • Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 2 starting in 2025 through 2027 and medium-term strategies that ■ MOD Service Span Expansion should be implemented from 2028 through the end of 2030. Long-term strategies are those that would be implemented in 2031 or later. Final strategies found in the Short Range Transit Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 7 12 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN MOBILITY ON DEMAND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS Short Term Background: Orange County MOD is underused, given the potential demand within the service area. Microtransit is well suited for the density of much of Orange County and can provide the public with high-quality and low-cost transportation options for those who cannot or choose not to drive. PERSON Strategy Overview: Create zones for faster, cheaper trips within municipalities and consistent wait times for rural trips. The ability to book trips by making a phone call CA3W EEL ° will also be added. No changes to hours of service are proposed within the SRTP ye,,em p timeframe. hR° ----------------- ____ ________ -------------- • Hillsborough-Mebane Zone: Shorter wait times within this zone O � � • North and South Orange Zones: Dedicated vehicles for each zone to make m'sfoeRd wait times more consistent • Southeast Zone: Trips cannot both start and end in this zone Durllagt°a Mebane „a, Hillsborough r • Cross-County: This zone will extend 10 miles out from the Orange County efehan ^ DU RNAN border, covering key rural and urban destinations in neighboring counties. ALANANCE �� o Trips cannot both begin and end within this zone. °e°Ra O R.ANGE � i Durham • ®e liapel HIU so Span of Service 0° EGreensbor"Chspet µpt E dg'I®` y a9. Monday to Thursday 8 AM — 5 PM 8 AM — 5 PM ------'--------------- --------------------------------- Friday 8 AM —9 PM 8 AM —9 PM Mobility OnDemand Service Area C H AT H A M 0 Saturday 9 AM — 5 PM 9 AM — 5 PM [7 Hortn orange N"'=b°r—geZa°anal°na O Q Dary Zone O WAKE �south Orange Zone {{��--�� Southeast Orange Zone V Apez Cross-County Zone usrgr oounryrvbuc Trwn o ea swi.s Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 8 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN DISCONTINUE ORANGE-ALAMANCE CONNECTOR Short Term Background: The Orange-Alamance Connector is a low ridership route that offers redundant service with the GoTriangle Orange-Durham Express (ODX). The rider base of this route is likely better served by on-demand service zones, since they will have more direct access to destinations. Strategy Overview: Formalize the elimination of the Orange-Alamance Connector and reinvest the resources into other transit service projects. With the improved MOD service zones, residents along the Mebane-Hillsborough corridor will still have access to transportation service, as well as continued service from the GoTriangle ODX during peak hours, the new Mebane Circulator, and improved Hillsborough Circulator. Existing Proposed h^ m Span of Service Monday to Friday 10 AM — 3 PM - W ORANGE Frequency ____- Monday to Friday 60 minutes b Meh- a Eflaad 4o Hillsborough say' os I \cape B5 ALAMANCE f t ,ie o� e HI&-borough-Mebane Corridor DiK,t1n,a0teoge•Aiamanea Conoe —c1,esa ooxlPaex-omrl ° G Nniaho—gh-nehane MDUZene �Nortn Oreoge nOD Zone Southo—p Moo Zen. c,ossc...ty m0DZo Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 9 14 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN HILLSBOROUGH CIRCULATOR IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 Short Term Background: The Hillsborough Circulator is the highest ridership OCTS route and is the primary option for Hillsborough residents to travel between key destinations in the town without a car. The route often runs etke Rd behind schedule, as it takes approximately 60 minutes to complete one trip and it runs every hour. The Hillsborough Circulator also only runs in one direction, P,P �. making residents ride the full loop, even if they only need to get to the stop R° i—� before they board. Strategy Overview: Create an improved Hillsborough Circulator service that is �_�arn4�as•st\ more efficient, on-time, and frequent. The improved service will be split into w Hsi�m d as two separate routes, Hillsborough Circulator A and Hillsborough Circulator B. y Q �e° s ■ Reduce route deviations at Rainey Ave (Fairview Park), Orange Grove `'timers` W-Tr.Y°nst 3` L_W Winq.St_ Road, and Scotswood Road (Food Lion) to improve schedule reliability Hillsborough 70 by decreasing the running time. ■ Split route into two patterns, which can both run in under 45 minutes per cycle. ga ■ Expand the service hours and increase frequency of both routes. 95 3 Existing Proposed Qa 85 Span of Service Cektlaie.Or o Monday to Friday 7 AM — 5 PM 6:30 AM —6:30 PM 2 4" Frequency f Monday to Friday 60 minutes 45 minutes XIIlstrorough Ciroulator P Proposed Imp—ments ZProposed Hillsborough Circulator A Proposed Hillsborough Circulator 8 Current Hillsborough Circulator One Sources:01n9e County NMI T—It �Snnee O Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 10 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN MEBANE CIRCULATOR Short Term Background: The City of Mebane has planned to establish a local bus route, which will take place in the form of a circulator that serves key destinations throughout Mebane. The Orange-Alamance Connector currently serves Mebane, which provides Mebane connections to Hillsborough and other localities via route transfer. Mebane Circulator Proposed Alignment Strategy Overview: Implement the Mebane Circulator as adopted in the �SPV°PoedMe bane C^ccayon�anP �'F liie Mebane Comprehensive Transportation Plan and the BGMPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan.The Mebane Circulator will run every 60 minutes from 7 AM —6 PM on Monday through Friday and will not initially offer weekend service. W H°Rg ExistingProposed No,M1s Melfane e� Span of Service y` f� Monday to Friday - 7 AM —6 PM Frequency Monday to Friday - 60 minutes y y 60 d �J � n 0 015 0-3 Miles'•n: Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 11 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN HILL TO HILL CONSOLIDATION PHASE 1 Short Term Background: The Orange-Chapel Hill Connector provides midday and local coverage between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, while GoTriangle Route 420 operates during the peak commute hours only and with fewer local stops. The similar but still deviating route patterns can confuse riders, and there is some service redundancy in the current schedule. ;,off •:,-- St�a,�="° Strategy Overview: When GoTriangle shifts Route 420 to run on Highway 40 - after the completion of construction, the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector will also shift to match the alignment of Route 420 exactly, with the same stops. Local 4° Hillsborough connections in Hillsborough can be made to both Hillsborough Circulator loops. This Phase does not fully consolidate the two routes, and rather focuses on }� War 65 running them along the same route pattern and to be less redundant, allowing for full consolidation in the future. o° tr.a Existing OCH Proposed OCH ce ae Span of Service ORANGE 40 nt Sinai Ra Monday to Friday 8:30 AM —4:30 PM 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM 66 Frequency Eubanks Eu0anks ftd Monday to Friday 60 minutes 60 minutes 0 NOmeae 66 s, DURHAM Chapel Hill s _ Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase l 6FraoNtro Sol Carrboro —Proposed Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Ra�s�9h —Future GOTri,r Ie R,,te420(Peak Only) Rtl -•Currenti)—p-Chapel Hill Connector 54 ex0enge Uunry VUEYcimpi,Goirlargle �n I�w'�I 4� v Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 12 17 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN DEMAND RESPONSE WEEKEND SERVICE Medium Term Background: Program-based demand response riders are not peak-oriented, and many riders use it to get to non-work destinations. Currently, hours on Saturday are limited and not clearly defined, and no service is offered on Sunday. This limits the types of medical trips that OCTS can provide, cutting off a potential funding source. Strategy Overview: Operate program-based demand response services from 9 AM to 5 PM on both Saturdays and Sundays. ProposedExisting Span of Service Monday to Friday 8 AM — 5 PM 8 AM — 5 PM Saturday "Limited" 9 AM — 5 PM Sunday - 9 AM — 5 PM Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 13 ORANGE COUNTI� SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN LONG-TERM STRATEGIES REINSTATE UPDATED ORANGE- ALAMANCE CONNECTOR HILLSBOROUGH CIRCULATOR Background: While the Orange-Alamance Connector has IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 2 generated low ridership during its operation, existing conditions and public engagement reflected the demand for connections Background: After the Hillsborough Circulator has been split into between Mebane and Hillsborough. The route has a long travel two routes, increasing and improving the service is necessary. time and short span, limiting its potential for success. Density Transit demand during the peak hours is not necessarily much along the corridor is currently low, but residential, commercial, higher than it is during the off-peak hours, and there are a lot of and industrial developments are underway and may drive riders that utilize the service for running errands. demand for transit in the future. Strategy Overview: Implement Saturday service, which will have Strategy Overview: Bring back a modified version of the Orange- 9 AM — 5 PM spans with buses every 30 minutes. In addition, Alamance Connector that runs bi-directionally on Highway 70, Monday through Friday will have spans from 6:30 AM —6:30 PM with connections at Mebane Cone Health Park and Ride and the and buses every 30 minutes. Hillsborough Walmart. With the proposed alignment change of the GoTriangle ODX to improve travel times to Durham and less HILL TO HILL CONSOLIDATION PHASE 2 focus on serving local stops, run the Orange-Alamance Connector Background: After operating the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector all day, matching the hours of the circulator routes. and GoTriangle Route 420 with more coordination and reduced redundancy, service levels can be improved through full MOD SERVICE SPAN EXPANSION consolidation of the two routes. Background: In conjunction with the expended MOD service Strategy Overview: Fully consolidate the Orange-Chapel Hill zones that are part of the short-term strategies, MOD service Connector with GoTriangle Route 420 along the Highway 40 hours should be expanded to adequately serve the riders of alignment. Peak operation of the route will require three 40' Orange County, as there is local transit demand for services buses to accommodate ridership demand and maintain outside traditional commuting windows. frequency.The service will run from Monday— Friday 6 AM —7 Strategy Overview: Service hours will be expanded on all days of PM with peak frequencies of 30 minutes and midday frequencies the week and Sunday service will be implemented. Service will run of 60 minutes. Monday to Friday 8 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday 9 AM to 8 PM. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 14 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Policy and Program TRANSIT INFORMATION Strategies CAMPAIGN Short Term recommended policies or programs that OCTS could implement in the early years of the SRTP with currently available Short Term administrative funding include: Background: Many Orange County residents do not fully ■ Alternative Fare Payment understand how to ride transit and what their transit options are. The transit information campaign would cover fixed routes, ■ Transit Information Campaign mobility on-demand, and ADA services. ■ Improve Demand Response Booking Strategy Overview: The promotional campaign would provide Medium Term policies or programs that require OCTS to apply information on services, their destinations, how to use each for additional funds include: service, and other information that is relevant to the service. On- ■ Hire Mobility Manager demand service would be a key focus, specifically around the ■ Conduct Fare Study expanded service zones and where they cover, and how to book trips would be the main emphasis. ALTERNATIVE FARE PAYMENT Improving the availability of transit information is an additional component of the transit information campaign. Improving the Short Term available information about the transit system could include the publishing of real-time travel information using live GTFS Background: MOD and Orange-Chapel Hill Connector vehicles publishing. are not able to take cash as fare payment, which can create barriers for people without easy access to mobile banking. OCTS IMPROVE DEMAND RESPONSE fares are also not integrated with other regional providers, such as GoTriangle. BOOKING Strategy Overview: Provide cash loading options for fare payment cards to better serve people with limited banking or Short Term smartphone access, and work to integrate with other transit Background: Riders expressed confusion about how to book agencies in the region that utilize UMO Pass. demand response trips during public feedback opportunities. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 15 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Most of the confusion came around how and where to book grant do not sufficiently cover the cost of an increased role. Other trips—online, over phone, by app—and the application process. grants could provide the necessary funding to implement this Additionally, the Medicaid reimbursement process will be new position. improved, making it easier for OCTS to submit for reimbursement. Strategy Overview: Ensuring the demand response application CONDUCT FARE STUDY process is streamlined so that prospective riders are able to book services more quickly is one of the first steps. This streamlined Medium Term application process will be simpler and quicker for applicants. This process is already underway at OCTS. This streamlined process Background: Fare costs vary across agencies and modes in will include implementing additional, to be determined, measures Orange County and can sometimes act as a barrier to transit that will help OCTS submit for Medicaid reimbursement. access. There is interest from the public and key stakeholders to explore the viability of free or reduced fares for the different types HIRE A MOBILITY MANAGER of transit services in Orange County. Strategy Overview: The fare study would cover each individual mode, including fixed route and on-demand. The potentiality for Medium Term reduced MOD fares will be studied to determine if OCPT could Background: Orange County currently has a Mobility Manager provide the same level of service and continue to make role that is run through the Department of Aging and focuses improvements with decreased fare revenue. The viability of fare- solely on outreach to older adults and assisting with their free fixed route service will also be studied on a route-by-route transportation. However, Orange County could use a Mobility basis. With reduced fares, it is important that OCPT will have Manager that covers on-demand services, in addition to the role enough funds to continue future planning efforts. within the Department of Aging. Strategy Overview: Create a new Mobility Manager position that has a wider focus, one covering the management of all information and travel training needs for on-demand services. This person would oversee the application process for on- demand services and would be the primary contact for anything on-demand related in Orange County. This role could continue to be funded through 5310 grant funds, but the funds from this Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 16 21 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Capital Improvement Strategies Each capital improvement strategy represents a type of capital project with multiple locations recommended for each type. These strategies do not include capital projects that are required for basic operation of the transit service strategies, such as newr� bus stops for new services. Site locations were prioritized into medium and long term based on the evaluation matrix, inclusion of the projects in other adopted plans, and existing infrastructure at each site. The three types of capital improvement strategies include: _. i 2006 OOfi , ■ Bus Stop Improvements 74 ■ Rural Mobility Hubs �]OrangeCounty - - ° � °° ■ Walking Access to Transit TO 777-7 �3�..Y ,_, ,,,...�wao��'j� y+"�`�sa�u'�.i�+"sR"s"-r.,C+.loin.eC+e;.rx�rdnn,a.i1•�w'S%hv 4T.$`i':e�5'.2., Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 22 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS Background: Bus stop improvements are an effective way to improve transit experience for riders. Bus stop improvements include various amenities, such as shelters or benches, and can be paired with capital improvement strategies on walking access to transit. Bus stops that have high ridership are often the targets of bus stop improvements since more riders will benefit from the improvements. Strategy Overview: Upgrades to existing bus stops, including amenities like a shelter, bench, passenger information, ADA upgrades, or establishing a new physical stop where passengers are currently boarding and alighting without any infrastructure. Medium Term Bus Stop Improvements d'`r o� ■ Mebane Community Park Proposed Locations Store R� ■ Cornelius St/Rainey Ave Q Bus Stop Improvement Cedar Grove ■ Orange Grove Road — Hillsborough ClrculatorA — H Ra ■ NC 86 Cornerstone Court Hillsborough Circulator B Mebane Circulator c� Data Sources:Orange County PuhlicTransit, J City of Mebane v7 Lebanon Rd rCD Mebane, 3' 70 1 Efland `\ Miles �0 Hillsborough y i OA ' a Miles Buckhorn Example of Improved Bus Stop Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 18 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN RURAL TRANSIT HUBS Background: Rural transit hubs are an effective way to improve the transit experience for residents of rural areas who may not have a large stop or transit hub nearby. These transit hubs are intended for low-density areas that are within MOD zones. Residents in rural areas may not be as familiar with transit options, so having a place where additional information can be provided is useful for rider understanding of the system and service options. Rural Transit Hubs 011, 0 0° Strategy Overview: Locations in lower-density areas of Orange County Proposed Locations SfOreRq with information on booking MOD rides and space to wait.Amenities A Rural Transit Hub Cedar Grove es �m — Hi llsborough Circulator A include bench, shelter, and informational signage. _ Hillsborough Circulator A 0a Mebane Circulator c MediumTerm neso�es:nrsn9ecouncyP.er.rransa U ■ Efland-Cheeks Community Center Leban on Rd • NC Driver's License Office a ■ Efland Hub Mebane; 08 0 0 0 0 EflandO 0 ■ Supper Club Blvd Miles 40 Hillsborough ■ Cedar Grove Community Center ,oA �a Long Term Buckhorn ■ Fairview Park/Dorothy Johnson Community Center o ae�a C,rJ`cr ■ Mebane Memorial Garden ■ Orange High School ■ NC 54/Mebane Oaks Road Eubanks a 0 ■ White Cross Hub ay e f°beksRd V� H c Fea .a Calvander stead R O a� en 'A 0i 4 `NJ o 1 i 2M11- white Cross 54 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 19 24 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN L ) 1 Example of Rural Transit Hub Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 20 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN WALKING ACCESS TO TRANSIT Background: For local services, transit riders typically walk between the bus stop and their home or final destination. Unsafe walking conditions can discourage transit use and limit the number of people orjobs accessible within the typical "walking distance" of a transit stop. Improving these walking conditions can help increase transit ridership and improve the safety of those traveling. Strategy Overview: Improve access to bus stops with pedestrian improvements such as sidewalks, safe crossings, and ADA upgrades. Medium Term U- Faucette Mill Road/Cornelius Street Walking Access to Transit �°� Cb 'r ■ Proposed Locations S are +4, ■ NC 86 Aldi Walking Access to Transit Cedar Grove ■ Orange Grove Rd — Hillsborough Circula#orA ■ Mebane Food Lion Hillsborough Circulator B Mebane Circulator Long Term Q- Data Sources:Orange County Public Transit ■ N Scotswood Blvd (access to US sa 70/Food Lion stop) ■ NC 86 Cornerstone Court Lebdr+on Rd rt ■ Orange High School 0 Zba ao a° Miles �0 Efland Hillsborough i OA AN) ° 11e, Buckhorn Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 21 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN 5 SUMMARY The Orange County Short Range Transit Plan guides Long-term projects are proposed for after the SRTP time frame improvements to OCTS services and programs. Implementation and funding has not been identified: on the following short-term projects is planned to start in 2025: ■ Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 2 ■ Mobility on Demand Service Improvements ■ Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 2 ■ Discontinue Orange-Alamance Connector ■ MOD Service Span Expansion ■ Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 1 0 Rural Transit Hubs, at Fairview/Dorothy Johnson ■ Mebane Circulator Community Center, Mebane Memorial Garden, Orange ■ Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 1 High School, NC 54/Mebane Oaks Road, and White Cross ■ Alternative Fare Payment Hub ■ Transit Information Campaign ■ Walking Access to Transit, at N Scotswood Blvd (access to ■ Improve Demand Response Booking US 70/Food Lion stop), NC 86 Cornerstone Court, Orange High School Medium-term projects are planned for 2028 to 2030 and may require additional funding sources. These include: These projects will help to inform future transit planning efforts, such as the next Orange County Transit Plan update. ■ Demand Response Weekend Service ■ Hire Mobility Manager ■ Conduct Fare Study ■ Bus Stop Improvements, at Mebane Community Park, Cornelius St/Rainey Ave, Orange Grove Road, and NC 86 Cornerstone Court ■ Rural Transit Hubs, at Efland-Cheeks Community Center, NC Driver's License Office, Efland Hub, Supper Club Blvd, and Cedar Grove Community Center ■ Walking Access to Transit, at Faucette Mill Road/Cornelius St, NC 86 Aldi, Orange Grove Rd, and Mebane Food Lion Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 22 ORANGE A COUNTY pw SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Appendix A: Existing Conditions Se • y,+ ` 4� 1 A L 4 r� L _ .F � 4 r •� . . . r • •er ' •k �•� •4 1'1 ,. ,5 r'r } { fir:. r 24 NNYGAARD 1 LiXL ` I + ir MMLa ,.-ram _- - � � �,�r • Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT T vY Table of Contents Page 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................1-1 2 Review of Past Plans and Projects ..............................................................................2-1 3 Market Analysis ............................................................................................................3-2 TransitDemand............................................................................................................................................3-2 Equityand Transit Need............................................................................................................................3-8 TravelFlows................................................................................................................................................3-10 ActivityCenters..........................................................................................................................................3-13 4 Existing Service Assessment........................................................................................4-1 SystemOverview..........................................................................................................................................4-1 ServiceProfiles..............................................................................................................................................4-4 5 Transit Funding.............................................................................................................5-1 Expensesand Revenues............................................................................................................................5-1 FundingSources..........................................................................................................................................5-2 6 Opportunities................................................................................................................6-1 Appendix Al Review of Past Plans...................................................................................6-1 Table of Figures Page Figure 1: Transit Supportive Land Use Table..............................................................................................3-2 Figure2: Population Density.............................................................................................................................3-2 Figure 3: Orange County Jobs by Sector......................................................................................................3-3 Figure4: Employment Density.........................................................................................................................3-3 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates i Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT T vN Figure 5: Population and Employment Densities......................................................................................3-4 Figure 6: Population Density Change, 2020-2030....................................................................................3-5 Figure 7: Employment Density Change, 2020-2030.................................................................................3-6 Figure 8: Recent & Future Developments....................................................................................................3-7 Figure9: Transit Need.........................................................................................................................................3-8 Figure 10: Environmental Justice Communities of Concern.................................................................3-9 Figure 11: Weekday Trips, All Day...............................................................................................................3-11 Figure 12: Saturday Trips, All Day................................................................................................................3-11 Figure 13: Weekday Trips, AM Peak............................................................................................................3-12 Figure 14: Weekday Trips, Mid-Afternoon...............................................................................................3-12 Figure15: Activity Centers..............................................................................................................................3-13 Figure 16: OCTS Service Span and Frequency............................................................................................4-2 Figure 17: Annual Unlinked Passenger Trips by Service Type..............................................................4-2 Figure 18 Durham Tech OCC Park-and-Ride Bus Stop...........................................................................4-3 Figure 20: OCTS and Regional Fixed Route Bus Service........................................................................4-4 Figure 21: Average Daily Boardings by Hour, October...........................................................................4-5 Figure 22: Hillsborough Circulator Boardings............................................................................................4-5 Figure 23: Orange-Alamance Connector Boardings, October 2023..................................................4-6 Figure 24: Average Daily Boardings by Hour, February..........................................................................4-8 Figure 25: Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Boardings, February 2024...............................................4-8 Figure 26: Orange County Public Transit Options....................................................................................4-9 Figure 27: Demand Response Trips by Purpose, October 2023.......................................................4-11 Figure 28: Demand Response Average Daily Trips Per Hour, October 2023..............................4-11 Figure 29: ROAP Demand Response Trips, October 2023..................................................................4-12 Figure30: MOD Service Area.........................................................................................................................4-13 Figure 31: All Trips by Hour, October 2023..............................................................................................4-14 Figure 32: Mobility On Demand Destinations, October 2023...........................................................4-14 Figure 33: FY2022 and FY2023 OCTS Expenses.........................................................................................5-1 Figure 34: FY2022 and FY2023 OCTS Revenues........................................................................................5-2 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates ii Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNLAY SIT PLAIIJ 1 INTRODUCTION The Orange County Short Range Transit Plan The focus of this Existing Conditions report is on the areas of (SRTP) guides the improvement of transit Orange County outside of the municipalities of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, which are served by Chapel Hill Transit. The analysis will services in Orange County through 2030. look at Hillsborough, Mebane, and the more rural areas of the Orange County Transportation Services (OCTS) provides fixed- county, identifying the opportunities and challenges in providing route bus, demand response, and microtransit services transportation services outside the Chapel Hill area. Analyses will throughout Orange County, NC. The changing conditions in the also include up to 10 miles outside of the Orange County borders, county—including new developments, rising population and jobs, which marks the fullest extent of OCTS's service area and includes and limited budgets—present an opportunity for OCTS to refine destinations in Durham and other surrounding counties. how transit investments are made. The SRTP will analyze existing Key findings for the Existing Conditions include: service performance and markets, evaluate strategies for ■ Orange County is growing and is focused on ensuring improving transit, and recommend a transit investment program planning efforts are inclusive of residents throughout the through Fiscal Year (FY) 2030. The SRTP will also guide future long entirety of the county. range planning efforts as the region continues to grow. ■ There is potential demand for fixed route transit both The Existing Conditions report is the first piece of the Orange within and between Hillsborough and Mebane. County SRTP. The report consists of five key chapters: ■ OCTS fixed route bus ridership has not fully recovered 1. A review of previous plans and projects that impact since the COVID-19 pandemic. transportation in Orange County, ■ Program-based demand response service fills a critical 2. An analysis of the underlying market conditions in Orange need in connecting rural residents with medical, County, employment, and shopping opportunities, but is limited 3. An analysis of the current services provided by OCTS, by eligibility requirements and high cost per rider. 4. A review of current and potential funding for OCTS • Microtransit expands access to transit for the general services, and public but is currently underutilized. 5. A synthesis of the gaps and opportunities that can be There are opportunities to leverage existing funding addressed through the SRTP. sources more efficiently and identify new funding sources for improving transit. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 1-1 Existing Conditions ORASHORT NGE CGE OUN�Y SIT PIAN 2 REVIEW OF PAST PLANS AND PROJECTS Past plans establish a baseline understanding Burlington-Graham MPO (BGMPO) of transit projects and programs considered Comprehensive Transportation Plan (2022) or planned for Orange County and the region. BGMPO's Comprehensive Transportation Plan is the MPO's long- range plan that identifies major transportation needs and Reviewing past plans and projects is a critical first step to guiding solutions through 2050. The recommendations in this plan are not existing conditions work.The previously published plans and funded or fiscally constrained, unlike other regional policies reviewed included transit plans, climate plans, funding comprehensive plans. The plan includes recommendations for studies, and more, all of which focused on Orange County and/or transit infrastructure and service improvements for the Burlington, the surrounding region. The review focused on both specific Graham, and Mebane areas, with a few recommendations for transit service recommendations and higher-level funding and Orange County. These recommendations consist of creating a goals. Mebane Connector; a Mebane to Hillsborough Commuter Rail; This review sets the stage for the existing conditions analysis by enhancing service on the Orange-Alamance Connector; and providing a baseline and history of projects, changes, and future improving and adding new park and rides. visions. The following section provides a brief overview of the plans reviewed and the information that is directly relevant to the BGMPO 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan SRTP effort. The full review can be found in Appendix A. (2020) The BGMPO 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan is the Orange County Transit Plan (2017) and Update transportation plan for the Burlington-Graham region, which (2022) consists of the cities and towns of Burlington, Graham, Mebane, The Orange County Transit Plan from 2017 and its subsequent Elon, Gibsonville, Green Level, Haw River, Whitsett, Alamance; update in 2022 provide an overview of the county's transit goals Alamance County; and parts of Guilford and Orange Counties. through a single funding source. It includes information on This plan identifies the transportation needs over the next two service improvements that are planned to be funded through the decades and provides multimodal recommendations for County's transit tax for OCTS, GoTriangle, and Chapel Hill Transit. improvements. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 2-1 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN BGMPO Regional Transit Feasibility Study (2024) Orange County's Complete Streets and Vision The BGMPO Regional Transit Feasibility Study is an ongoing Zero Policies (2022) project that has recently completed its Operations and Fiscal Orange County's Complete Streets and Vision Zero Policies were Impact Analyses. This report contains recommendations and adopted in October 2022. The Vision Zero Policy states that the opportunities for transit funding at the local and consolidated locality will aim to meet the state's safety targets of a 50% level and an assessment of transit tax's government structure and reduction of fatalities and serious injuries by 2035, and a 100% funding. reduction by 2050. The Complete Streets Policy, which was adopted in tandem with the Vision Zero plan, strives to Orange County Climate Action Plan (2023) encourage the design and construction of safer and more The Orange County Climate Action Plan is the guiding document equitable streets and shift towards multi-mobility. for county-wide greenhouse gas reduction. This document offers a comprehensive set of strategies that are in line with state Orange County Transportation Services Title VI regulations. Transit-specific strategies revolve around increased Plan (2022) on-demand service and converting the existing vehicle fleet to an Orange County Transportation Services Title VI Plan overviews the all-electric fleet. Title VI standards and processes that OCTS must abide by. The document includes transit service standards for OCTS, including Connect 2050: The Research Triangle Region"s that all fixed-route services have between 30- and 45-minute Metropolitan Transportation Plan (2022) headways with plans to reduce these to between 15- and 30- Connect 2050 is the long-range transportation plan for the minutes. Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Orange County Transportation Services ADA Organization (DCHC MPO). The transit-related components of this Paratransit Plan (2022) plan focus on improvement of local and regional transit facilities The Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan and services and improving accessibility and ease of use of transit outlines the standards that OCTS must meet to provide sufficient for all users. ADA and paratransit services. OCTS currently exceeds the required service standards for coverage and abides by all federally mandated standards. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 2-2 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN GoTriangle Short-Range Transit Plan (2023) pedestrian changes. For Orange County, major public GoTriangle's SRTP recommends a series of transit service transportation recommendations include the Durham-Orange improvements for the Triangle region up to FY2028. The Light Rail Transit and the North-South Corridor Bus Rapid recommendations included simplification of routes (including the Transit—a rapid transit route that runs along NC-86 and US 15- 420 and ODX) and expansion of 15-minute all-day routes. 501 from Eubanks to Southern Village. Chapel Hill Short-Range Transportation Plan City of Mebane Comprehensive Transportation (2020) Plan (2018) Chapel Hill Transit's 2020 SRTP provides a roadmap for transit The City of Mebane's Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a improvements in Chapel Hill and Carrboro for the next ten years. multi-modal plan that covers roadway, public transportation, and Recommendations include service expansion and demand- bicycle and pedestrian travel. The Plan recommends a circulator response zone additions. bus route for Mebane, which would run through the main part of the City, covering key destinations, such as parks, schools, DCHC MPO Comprehensive Transportation Plan community centers, and commercial destinations along the route. (2017) There is additional demand for service to Alamance Community College and to have connections to other regional routes. The DCHC MPO Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a long- range transportation plan that covers the region and outlines plans to be implemented through 2040. The modes that the plan covers are highway, public transportation, rail, bicycle, and Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 2-3 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUN�Y 3 MARKET ANALYSIS This chapter explores the underlying demand ■ Based on an analysis of travel patterns amongst all modes of transportation, most trips take place within for transit and transportation services in municipalities. There is also relatively strong travel Orange County using the region's geography, demand along the Mebane-Hillsborough corridor. demographics, and built environment. TRANSIT DEMAND The Market Analysis consists of four components: A main factor in determining the demand for transit is density: ■ Transit Demand: Looking at where people live and work, where people live and work, and how those areas are both currently and as the region grows concentrated. As shown in Figure 1, population and employment ■ Equity and Transit Need: Identifying the socioeconomic density may be used to indicate an appropriate level of transit characteristics that influence transit use and where those service.Areas that are higher density may be able to support characteristics are more common more frequent fixed route transit, while areas with lower density ■ Travel Flows: Mapping how people travel to, from, and may be better suited for demand response services. within Orange County Figure 1:Transit Supportive Land Use Table ■ Activity Centers: Identifying key destinations and trip generators for transit Residents Jobs Appropriate Frequency Land Use Type per Acre per Acre Types of Transit of Service Key takeaways from the Market Analysis include: �y Alm-0 f ert ;—}� ® 30-60 nuts ■ Population density and transit demand is greatest in the NeighBerhdeotls �o-7s 5-ro Local Micro- minutes eus transit Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Mebane areas. + eb ebrdt � � 60 mins The rest of the county is rural, where demand-response Lew Density 2-10 2-5 * or less or Micro- Ridesharevolunteer On Demand services may be more suitable than fixed-route transit. transit Driver Pgm ■ Most of the employment density is located within towns °�Rural ! <Z �2 ¢� ¢� On Demand Rid Orwer Pgm and cities and along major corridors. Service jobs make up the largest share of jobs in the county. Sour—Thresholds based on reerch by Neison\Nyga;rd These densities broadly indicate demand across contiguous areas, and act cumulatively to drive demand for transit. Clusters of Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-2 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUN�Y SIT PLAN density throughout an area or along a corridor are strong Figure 2: Population Density indicators of demand, while an isolated pocket of high density alone in a rural area would not produce sufficient demand itself. ------------------------------------------------------- To represent the distribution of people and jobs more accurately, this analysis uses "developed acres" to calculate density, which is s, 49 defined as the area within a quarter-mile buffer from roadways. Garr Data for transit demand was sourced mainly from DCHC MPO, Caldwell d� o which forecasted population and employment data as part of the s'°"a R" O Cedar Grove c 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), including estimates O O A for the 2020 base year and 2030 interim year, at the Traffic e Pa S°h/ey9 Analysis Zone (TAZ) level. However, more recent population data \¢ S-' is available from the 2022 American Community Survey, which is rq� at�s Rd Lebanon Rd used as a reference for growth. Additional data on development : Tat Mebaue a was provided by Orange County and Mebane agencies. °° a ,a °° 4a Plant] .>!'CT C ".W Hillsboruu,.y gh �+` ;q Where People Live Buckhorn "7}. Y As shown in Figure 2, population density in Orange County in Did"G'° r �l� 2020 was concentrated in the municipalities of Chapel Hill, "�a �°e, Carrboro, Mebane, and Hillsborough: pt Sinai Wa'SH tee a O 7Rd ■ In Hillsborough, denser areas are not clustered together, Eubanks *Qa 5°' but located throughout the municipality with less dense c° Euba��SRd*`•� IDurham+e D � wry V. .„ � c areas between them. o e Rd nLa stead Calvander r�b ■ Mebane's population density is mainly concentrated in iii Esr d: " White Cross Alamance County, with some higher density pockets in Population Density(2020) People per Acre ChapelrHi I t 54 Orange County. 0.5 carr, sl 0.5-1 Old Greensboro Rd ■ Density changes sharply at the county border with 1-2 Pa �a� I Durham, likely due to differing zoning and development ■5-5 °es ■10+ .E sot /C i H h histories. ---"- -' ' Dale So oft:OCHC MRMO ----------->----- - N a ° t znaes Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-2 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN Where People Work Figure 4: Employment Density --------------- - -- ______ __________________________________r___. The geographic distribution of job density in Orange County in 2020 (Figure 4) is largely similar to population density, with the m 48 highest density areas in Mebane, Hillsborough, and Chapel Hill- Carrboro: r Cal 4 Store Rolco n ■ Employment in Hillsborough is densest in the southeast 01, area of the town. Ra 3� G°na e y9a ■ Mebane employment density is clustered along 1-40, in o �a the southern portion of the municipality. There are few a 5, le, o° as s jobs outside of these areas. Lebanpn Rd Mebane $ _ Jobs not only generate demand from the employees that travel there to work, but also from the potential customers, clients, and " `° Hillsbor0j patients that visit a business.Jobs in the service and retail sectors s °° tend to generate travel demand at higher rates than industry or771 office jobs. In 2020, 59% of Orange County jobs were in service a Old"°'° P � and retail sectors (Figure 3). e Figure 3: Orange County Jobs by Sector a oao9 Nei 40 "t Sinai Ra cQJ sm Industry, 10°/O a c EOhaoKSRd �� Of Service, Office, Estes0Sy. 44% 30% Employment Density Jobs per Acre \ rn. Opel Hill <0.5 Carrboro ram - `' ti. Retail, 0.5-1 r+ 15% 2 Old Greensboro Rd Ra e° �7► 2-5 E s", a ' ■5 70 Ces m .a Cad � Jo < ■10+ y spy /dn4 oe.s4u—::ocxc xra zozo ° , zxnes N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-3 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PrAN Figure 5: Population and Employment Densities Population and Employment --------------------------------------- Density Together ` A Together, population and employment density give a more complete picture of potential demand for transit. Figure 5 shows the combined population and employment densities by TAZ. Blue °d gr°reRa o`er co O areas on the map signify areas with high employment density but lower population density, while orange represents areas with higher population density and lowerjob density. Darker brown areas have high densities of both employment and population. as I Lebanon Rd yr St�at95 Areas with both high population and employment density r Mebane include: ■ Downtown Hillsborough H I Its bo riirigh-z ■ Southwest Mebane ■ 1-40 and 1-85 corridors , Old NC,° +�1 0 �a o r � �!5-�►`r- Areas of high employment and population density do not always Goes ell align, with pockets of high employment density further from the a oao9e He�� MtS;naiRe 9a ' downtown cores and some isolated areas of residential density. = cQa,r Areas with mismatched densities include: Eubaok Rd v� ■ Al ea`�T 'a E� � • Employment density in Hillsborough is concentrated in 't'I"' Fe,st ,tlT Ry,a•; �'-��;`���• ��! 3�L many of the pockets of lower population density. a Est° ',"r � M IN Downtown Mebane has greater population density while Population �€,4, I ! �C;hapel Hilli Employment Densities � # so"i3r employment is concentrated along I-40. u Carr' A , '+ , Old Greensboro Rd '�` rW �Y;, `j ■ sF w � �L - -MEN P �Y People per Acre in Ch Oata Sources:OCHC MP02020 z ° i 214llea N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-4 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNLAY SIT PLAN Regional Growth Figure 6: Population Density Change,2020-2030 --- -------------------------------------------- -------------- The Triangle Region is growing rapidly, with new housing, mixed- use developments, and job centers being planned and approved m O throughout Orange County. Using the Triangle Regional Model's 2030 projections, based on the 2020 base year, the Market r` Analysis can identify areas likely to see significant growth of ^Sr°r°Rtl a O demand for transit within the SRTP timeframe. 3= `e 0a Sohiay9 Population Change e, �r The Triangle Regional Model projected an 11% increase in �� St MatVs Rd Lebanon Rd a population between 2020 and 2030 in Orange County, growing to ! a Mebane just over 150,000 residents. According to 2022 American Community Survey Data, the population has already surpassed Hillsborough r that number, with the county as a whole growing at a faster rate than the Chapel Hill municipality. a, �� 08 Old NC 10 � Figure 6 shows the growth in number of people per acre. Outside of Chapel Hill, there is growth of greater than 0.5 more people a °°9e�` Ra�° o` as At Sinai Rd per acre in southern Hillsborough, downtown Mebane, and °Qa sat between Hillsborough and Durham along NC-10. Because this r map reflects change in density, it does not reflect the rate of Eubaa�sR growth throughout the different regions of the county, and may °steadR,, 1 obscure the impact of developments in large TAZs. a 0-41 so Ahapel Hf l 1 11 I Population Change Carrboro Growth In People per Acre ' os c 0.5 Old Greensboro Rd sot 0.5-1 ttd Qa ■1-2 Ee"' m r d ■2-5 _ �°ae ............ ' ■5 .. .E sot oiCh Data Sources:DCK MP02020-2030 Q o 1 2Ml1ea Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-5 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNTY ANSIT PLAN Employment Change Figure 7: Employment Density Change,2020-2030 -------------;---------------------------'--------- r Based on the Triangle Regional Model, employment is projected to increase at a greater rate than population, with a 19% increase 5] in jobs in Orange County between 2020 and 2030 to about 89,000 jobs. Newer data from the US Census estimates a greater number of jobs than the Triangle Regional Model. Score Ro O As seen in Figure 7, most of this growth is likely to be O O 3 Soblsy concentrated near the UNC Chapel Hill campus and hospitals, and a Pa between Chapel Hill and Durham. Southern Mebane is also O expected to see an increase in employment density, while most ofso sRd Lebanon Rd ° 5 StratY Orange County will likely not see a large increase in employment a density. Similar to the population density change map, not all job Mebane ° Q ,6 growth is reflected in the density map. Hillsborough pA a�a '0 4m5 �,NUIa 65 Old NC 10 a as o K'0 o, °11411 a o 9° �Y,oQ 49v o� Ne 40 lit Sinai Rd O � rr EubaaMS RAC ,. � � ostead,Md j�� E ui O a 5A �e9Oo I 'Employment Change Carrboro C$iapel Hill Grow[h in Jobs per AcreTO L G.5 Old Greensboro Rd 5or 0.5-1 Oa Qn ■,_2 °ttY m 2-5 -----=-------■5 a E 5p1 /Ob - _______.__� Data so c.:pcacnao204n-2D3a 3 N a o i znnes Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-6 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TNN Planned Developments Figure 8: Recent&Future Developments _________________________________-------------_-----------------------------------_--------- Along with the MPO and Census data, planned developments show where population and employment growth will likely occur O P over the course of the SRTP timeframe. Figure 8 shows theCarr location and size of key economic and residential developments r` Caldwell in Mebane and Orange County, including districts with economic c°'Storand m81 development plans. Cedar Grove O 3 e Pa schly9a Mebane expects to see a high number of both residential and non-residential developments, and residential developments are planned for southern Hillsborough as well. The 1-40 corridor y�" St M¢t is Rd Lebanon Rd between Hillsborough and Mebane is also likely to see large non- a Mebane' residential developments and is zoned to encourage continuing Q a vo •� �•Efland� m economic growth. MII� �,' Hillsborough ¢ tim t`R;dro�Pa I J0(��7 ¢m5 Buckhom - B O Old NC io ° a ¢ vc o Gt°, Qm swal%is ¢ o a m"' a aC' qv o N 40 Mt Sinai Rtl zQ° sal sc = Eubanks �Ct; o Eubaa*s Rd Durham k ¢stead Ra Calvander F Estas RecentB Future Developments white Cross O �r Residential Chapel Hill ill Non-Residential Carrboro ^ 0 Estimated Sol Footage per Development Old Greensboro Rd Ra oa 1m ]m 5m et�l Ile look sock " J m s �M 1 0 ■Economic Development District � '--_.--- � N 4 ___ E � __________________ s - oat�Sources:orange ownry,CiNaf Mebane a pies Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-7 41 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TY EQUITY AND TRANSIT NEED Figure 9:Transit Need --------------------- -----4 While total population and employment density are crucial to understanding transit demand, the demographics and P 49 socioeconomic characteristics of the population are also a key o6 component in identifying the need for transit services. Many r` population groups, often those historically and currently rstoreRo' S' marginalized, rely on transit more than the general public. To plan O 86 3 transit equitably, transit agencies should focus their investments e Pa schyay9a c` on areas with high populations of these communities. 5) V`lJ -oe Vs Rd There are multiple ways to identify and measure equity needs for . Lebanon Rd St"a transit, and this report uses two distinct approaches: a Transit ,s �M/�1u:h+e�ey�� Needs Index and Environmental Justice Communities of Concern. ° ,��a4.Ai:. 40 Hillsborough j `N�( The Transit Needs Index looks at the population and density of � �+ key demographic groups, while the Environmental Justice analysis �►' p a 5� WA looks at percentages, leading to different areas of emphasis in "�\ GtlN�G ,IM each analysis. In addition the Environmental Justice analysis is al based on an existing dataset from the DCHC MPO and focuses a 86 ao9 Ar" Ow solely on Orange County, while the Transit Needs Index has a10, 6 a MtSina;Rn <1 wider geographic focus and was calculated for the purpose of this Market Analysis. Yin ks R , — ste pj tlR ` Transit Needs Index a W`� Y : E6,AMW '► Chapel Hill The Transit Needs Index measures the densityof socioeconomic _ . 54 Transit Need Carrboro Composite density of zero-vehicle t < an groups that would most benefit from improved transit services for households,minorities,lower-income Old Greensbpru Rd 46 In population, �� <_ 501 r - population,older adults,and population - withadisability both fixed route and demand response. To calculate the index, FT Loweigher census block groups are assigned a score of 1 to 5 for each of the Need Need r H following groups, based on the relative density of that group in °9ta5°""°s:A°5z6YP5Ya6""'m"" Orange County, and summed for a final composite score: Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-8 42 Existing Conditions ORARNANNGEETROUNTY ANSIT PLAN ■ Zero vehicle households Figure 10: Environmental Justice Communities of Concern 11 Racial and ethnic minorities --------------- V Vu . ■ People with low incomes (below federal poverty level) A � ■ Older adults (65+) ■ People with disabilities Store Rd re O Figure 9 shows areas of high potential transit need, with darker colors indicating higher than average densities of multiple target populations. Areas with the highest transit need include most of ce Chapel Hill and parts of Carrboro, downtown and southern Hillsborough, and most of Mebane. d y etYs 1 ILM aW-n Rd m St Mebane�� ,,•1� a I i60� 20 �� Environmental Justice - -� ; _ ° • ■ a 5 �R t` ��Hillsb ugh' The DCHC MPO incorporates Environmental Justice (EJ) into allM. aspects of its planning process, working to ensure the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of G''"G'° -j r� race, color, national origin, or income.' The MPO identifies a eGoeP° QO�e`` specific Environmental Justice Communities of Concern to target: oa9 �MHeW� wo Zl 'At SinaiRa „ ■ Racial and Ethnic Minorities O _ ►�`?' � cQa — Black Population ; Eabaeks Rd AMYL — Hispanic Population a stead I? n �* w4' es "ej S/ Est° �••tdRA ■ People with Low Incomes (below Federal Poverty Level) a � I sus; Environmental ■ Older Adults (65+) Justice Areas I �� Chapel Hill S tF,.. Areas of Overlap LCa ryf b o rog1:1 �l 1 Over alp �OId Greensboro Rd ■ Zero Vehicle Households ,overlap yea f_1 02ovedapPopulation with Limited-English Proficiency ■3Overlap ,eyJ--- Sp,■4Overlap � h l Data Source.:NCDOT2020 � ,11 �- De—graphir Supshot , sn `Nv Q ' https://www.dchcmpo.org/work-with-us/environmental-justice-ej Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-9 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TY The environmental justice analysis identifies Communities of Trips between Eubanks and Chapel Hill stand out during Concern based on County thresholds for the percentage of the peak commute times certain socioeconomic groups within each area. These thresholds As shown Figure 12, Saturday travel flows are slightly more locally focus on percentage of a population, rather than density, contained than weekday, and lower overall, but follow similar highlighting the presence of environmental justice communities patterns to the weekday travel flows. Strong travel flows occur in the more rural areas of the county. between: As shown in Figure 10, Communities of Concern are located E Mebane and the tracts on the western edge of Orange throughout Orange County, especially in the northwest and east, County, including the communities of Buckhorn and as well as in the denser municipalities. While the rural areas may Efland not have the density to support fixed route transit services, there are still communities that may need access to public Northeast Orange County and Hillsborough transportation. ■ Downtown Hillsborough and surrounding communities Many of the existing transit services in Orange County, operated TRAVEL FLOWS by both OCTS and GoTriangle, only operate for parts of the day. As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, travel patterns during the Using data from Replica that models average daily traffic patterns morning peak and mid-afternoon on weekdays differ only slightly. of trips on all modes of transportation, the following maps show general flows of travel between census tracts in Spring 2023. During the morning peak, between 7 and 9 AM, travel patterns are mostly similar to the travel flows of the full day, with strong On an average weekday, the strongest travel flows were typically trip links within Chapel Hill and Hillsborough (Figure 13). Unlike within the municipalities, with weaker flows across longer full day travel patterns, there are some stronger long-distance distances (Figure 11). Key travel flows outside the municipalities connections, including Durham to Chapel Hill and Chatham include: County to Chapel Hill. Travel flows are slightly lower during the ■ Trips to the center of Hillsborough from surrounding midday period (Figure 14) than in the morning. Mebane to areas Buckhorn continue to see strong travel flows. Trips to and from ■ Thousands of trips occur each day from the communities Durham are concentrated more in the north of Chapel Hill, rather between Mebane and Hillsborough (such as Efland and than to and from UNC. Flows on the US 70 and 1-40 corridor Buckhorn) into Mebane and Hillsborough, where much of between Hillsborough and Mebane remain strong. the previously discussed developments are located Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-10 44 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE ROUNT ANSIT AY Figure 11:Weekday Trips,All Day Figure 12: Saturday Trips,All Day Ise PERSON Ise PERSON 119 llO9 _ Qa Pa o sal oson 88 c Oxfp'tl.Htl 96 Oxa�dRtl C ASWELL m CASWELL 15] 15] He/eoa Mor/„A e/eqa Mor/an Rtl ptl �a Qa m 5) 49 A 5] e'Rtl e'Ra :F 501 501 119 Qa sCh/y 119 Sch/ e qtl e� y Fi ea 1V`'Rd a ea yrRd Burlington S��m Burlington �Hmt )e Mebane ]o Mebane Graham Hillsborough 70 Graham 4o Hillsborough D U-R.H.A.M D U.R.H.A.M C BS BS AL.AMAN'CE an es d pLAMAN'CE 4e es 40 w ad Comm s4 ed crmm �o ORANGE od Durham ORANGE ,Pd Durham Vo �o set 54 a BBS Chapel Hill m " Chapel Hill - emm gpesbmra Chapel HR1 Rd 4e 'e 0 mm,,bol.Cha el R711 Rd E-6r Old Greensboro Rd yi FGr. D m' Old Greensboro Rd E—`�1 4 _ Qm Qa c y � 1 w l i LYsrraR � cyst e R Travel Patterns n Morrisville Travel Patterns ° Morrisville Wekdays All Day Saturdays All Day Betweencenausiracts C HIAT H A M 55 Be[ween Census Tracts C HiAT H A M 55 500-1,000 a] 0 —500-1,000 8 Gary 1,000-2,000 sot O WAKE 1,000-2,000 set yr0 WAKE F �2,000-5,000 looss 2,000-5,000 5,000+ d' Apex 5,000+ &' Apex ❑Census Tracts Census Tracts Oats Sources:Re Iica2025 9 ne 0 p � Oa[a Sources:Replica 2025 is N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-11 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNLAN Figure 13:Weekday Trips,AM Peak Figure 14:Weekday Trips, Mid-Afternoon lsa PERSON lsa PERSON Son O O ea Pa BB o Ox/e'C.Rtl B6 o OX/osdRtl CASWELL m'� CASWELL m'� 157 ls7 He/eod Mor/dh He/eod Mor/dA Rtl qtl ea ea ` 49 n 5J 40 A 5J e^`��ose.ptl�i _ e^`�rore.ptl✓"1\ e� ns a ns a hie aµ He aµ 9e 86 ��J S'�tslys 1f `Burlington to Mebane 7 to Meb Burlington ane Graham 40 Hillsborough 70 Graham 40 Hillsborough 70- 0 R.H. ' 0 U.R.H.A.M C f' f' ss ss L A .AMAN'CE / \ 40 ' j es ad AL.AMAWCE O R A,NPE bur am �o� O�N�GE � d DLr am, q Sol mA Chapel Hill �I^@hapel Hill � 1i"i m aaC5b0Ia Chdpel H711 Rtl i 40 'E a 0 BaCSbera h 40 a E-Gr. Old Greensboro Rd £-`m/ 4i �/�Or C dpsl Hlu Rd Old Greensboro Rd t�' £'�m/ 4 �- , t I ✓I l Lysfrd Bp /� � Lysfrd Bp Travel Patterns Morrisville Travel Patterns Morrisville Weekdays AM Peak(7-Ba) C H1A T H A M Weekdays Midday(1-3p) C H A T H A M Between Census Tracts ss Between Census Tracts ss So-15o B2 So-150 0) Cary tso-3o0 sal s4o WAKE 150-3o0 Sol 54o WAKE i �300-500 300-500 5o0+ 64 500+ Apex is I]Census Tracts Census Tracts Oa[a Sources:Replica 2023 a 2S 5niies Gate Sources:Replica 2023 a ills N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-12 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNLAN ACTIVITY CENTERS Figure 15:Activity Centers PERSON Some activity centers generate additional demand for transit that "s sm OrortlRtl are not captured by the previous density analyses.As shown in rr oe CASWELL m Figure 15, major activity centers and points of interest in the ,s, Orange County service area include: Rd ■ Higher Education campuses, including UNC Chapel Hill ----- -----------------=------------- and Durham Technical Community College in P, ---------- Hillsborough O ■ Government/Civic institutions, such as social services J .sr0'e Re departments, town halls, and DMV locations ■ Hospitals and Dialysis, including UNC Hospitals int £ O Rd Burlington 0 s hat9s Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, and multiple dialysis centers -M. bane ■ Recreation/Community centers, including parks, Graham Hillsborough DURHAM stadiums, senior centers, and recreation centers, such as C ea ALAMANCE 41 the Passmore Center ® >e ORANGE Durham • Shopping destinations, including shopping centers such as Patterson Place and Tanger Outlets, as well as O o 0o destinations like Walmart Supercenters os f 8e m� so Chap,el•Hill ■ Transit facilities including the Eubanks Park and Ride EGr¢¢°sboro Chapel H}tlRtl Lo Old Greensboro Rd 0 Qsr Many of these activity centers are clustered in more densely populated areas, such as downtown Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, ------------- ' Major Activity Centers Lysr a ed Morrisville or along key travel corridors. However, with the distributed rural Hlgher Education CHATHAM Gowrn population of Orange County, residents often need to travel ticl�m O Helical O Medical Cary creationicommunity WAKE sm 540 longer distances from less dense areas to the areas of more O Recreation concentrated activity to access healthcare, grocery stores, and ®Transit U Apex Orange County Public Transit Routes social services. Ga,aSaaroes:GraageCaangPUG;cTransR o ,s aM„. N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3-13 47 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNTY 4 EXISTING SERVICE ASSESSMENT The Existing Service Assessment looks at the The Orange-Chapel Hill Connector runs between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill during the middle of the day current state of transportation services when Chapel Hill Transit's Route 420 is not running. There offered by OCTS, identifying trends in service could be opportunities to improve efficiency by ensuring delivery and usage. there is no duplicate service. ■ OCTS's on-demand service is underutilized, possibly due This analysis consists of two key components, a System Overview, to the rider registration process and lack of information which explores OCTS's services as a holistic network, and Service available directly on OCTS's website. Profiles, which delves deeper into each individual service offered by OCTS. SYSTEM OVERVIEW Some key takeaways from the existing service assessment are: ■ OCTS offers service in the form of three fixed routes— Services Available Hillsborough Circulator, Orange-Alamance Connector, and Orange-Chapel Hill Connector—and demand OCTS operates the following services: response. ■ Three fixed routes: Hillsborough Circulator, Orange- ■ Ridership on OCTS's fixed route and demand response Alamance Connector, Orange-Chapel Hill Connector services has not recovered from the decrease due to the ■ Rural Demand Response Service COVID-19 pandemic. E Mobility on Demand microtransit service ■ The Hillsborough Circulator is OCTS's highest performing ■ ADA Complementary Paratransit fixed route. Utilizing only one vehicle, the route runs hourly as that is the time it takes for the vehicle to Each OCTS route and service has different hours of operation, complete the loop, ultimately resulting in the route though all fixed route buses are scheduled to operate hourly frequently running late. throughout their service period. Figure 16 depicts the service span and frequency for the three fixed route services as well as the two ■ The Orange-Alamance connector is currently partially demand response service types. suspended and covered by demand response service. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-1 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNLAN Figure 16: OCTS Service Span and Frequency Service Performance Weekday Hillsborough Circulator Ridership on OCTS's demand response services declined Drange-Alamance Connector Drange-Chapel Hill Connector significantly in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and RDAPDemand Response continued to decline in 2021. Fixed route ridership did not see the Mobility On Demand same steep decline in 2020 but decreased in 2018 and again in SaturdayGA 7 0 9 10 2021 (Figure 21). Mobilirr On Demand The pandemic and resulting changes to commute patterns, paired with vehicle and driver shortage challenges at the agency, have 7(Fridays 7only) led to significant on-the-ground changes to the services being offered in recent years. These changes include route suspensions and service hour changes, often without significant advertisement to the public. These challenges and changes make exact comparisons over time difficult on the level of an individual route or service. Figure 17:Annual Unlinked Passenger Trips by Service Type 60,000 Neighboring Transit Services 50,000 Along with OCTS, three other transit agencies operate bus routes 40,000 in Orange County: Piedmont Authority for Regional 30,000 Transportation (PART), GoTriangle, and Chapel Hill Transit. OCTS 20,000 also operates in neighboring Alamance County, which is served primarily by Alamance County Transportation Authority (ACTA) 10,000 and Link Transit. 0 PART operates transit service in the counties to the west of 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Orange and runs one route that extends into Orange County. tFixed Route +Demand Response PART Route 4 offers service from UNC Chapel Hill to Mebane Cone Health Park and Ride, and to Graham, Burlington, and Source: FTA NTD Greensboro. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-2 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNLAN GoTriangle serves Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties with six OCTS serves the Mebane Cone Health Park-and-Ride and the all-week and all-day routes, four peak-only routes on weekdays, Durham Tech OCC Park-and-Ride on the Orange-Alamance and 7 regional express routes that run during peak hours all week. Connector, and the Durham Tech OCC Park-and-Ride by the Two routes serve similar corridors to OCTS routes:the ODX and Orange-Chapel Hill Connector. the 420. The ODX is an express route that serves Hillsborough, Figure 18 Durham Tech OCC Park-and-Ride Bus Stop Efland, Mebane, and Durham during mornings and evenings. This route runs hourly at peak times, with three trips in the morning and three in the afternoon. Route 420 is a peak-only regional u � route that runs from UNC Chapel Hill to Hillsborough. Chapel Hill Transit is a fare-free radial transit service based around the UNC Chapel Hill campus. Chapel Hill Transit operates 20 fixed routes, 9 of which operate all week and the other 11 o operate on weekdays only. These routes facilitate local travel p Y Y - within Chapel Hill and Carrboro. !!!Kr- Transit Amenities and Facilities OCTS's bus stop amenities vary based on the size of the bus stop and nearby amenities. Working with GoTriangle, the two transit providers have made stop improvements in Orange County and the greater region. GoTriangle actively updates their Stop Improvement Map on their website with completed and in- progress bus stop amenity improvements. Shelters vary in size depending on the location, with larger shelters typically being placed at the end-of-line and park-and- rides and smaller shelters being placed at high volume ridership locations mid-route where space allows. The style of bench can also vary, with larger benches being placed inside of or nearby shelters and smaller seats located on the bus stop pole. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-3 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNLAY ANSIT PLAN SERVICE PROFILES Figure 19: OCTS and Regional Fixed Route Bus Service ------------------- Fixed Route F a, OCTS provides both regional and local service with its fixed route o- buses, shown in Figure 20. The Hillsborough Circulator is a local Carr >°o Stare Rry c� Is] route serving key destinations in Hillsborough. Two regional connector routes, the Orange-Alamance Connector and the "a d�Qa ag Orange-Chapel Hill Connector, connect Hillsborough with other regional destinations and fill a midday gap for peak-only a� GoTriangle bus routes, with additional local service stops. Lebangn Rd 3 Fares are charged for the two connector routes, at a cost of $2.00 Mebane for the general public, $1.00 for students between ages 6 and 17, Hillsborough e and free for seniors (older than 60), children (younger than 5), persons with disabilities (ADA certified from OCTS or another ;;"�9Qb Cis a6� transit agency). Fares must be paid using UMO Pass or a Old NC Jo Passenger ID card. Cash is not an option for fare payment on OCTS routes. The Hillsborough Circulator is free to ride. Mt Sinai Rd Analysis focuses on data from October 2019 and October 2023 where available, but technological and operational difficulties ,Echo°µSRtlLa were limiting factors to the robustness of the ridership and trip a data. On-time performance is only available as an estimate for the o sa Hillsborough Circulator, and there is limited recent ridership data for the Connector routes. Improving data collection would Chapel Hill Car rboro u' support a more robust analysis in future studies. Bus Routes in Orange County �Hillsborough Circulator Old Greensboro Rd Irl Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Ra _2a Orange-Alamance Connector ate m y GoTriangle Routes Chapel Hill Transit Routes -- - Wu n Ch PART Routes ---__ ___ Os[a Sourrea:Orange Counry Pubric Tranan, Remlx,Mailbox Q o t 2nies Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-4 Existing Conditions ORA RANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Hillsborough Circulator Figure 21: Hillsborough Circulator Boardings Route Description Fa° m cP,,P The Hillsborough Circulator is a one-way loop that serves major RV destinations in the town of Hillsborough, operating hourly Monday through Friday from 7 am to 5 pm. The route operates P with one vehicle, taking one hour to complete each loop. No fare J,eoenellus St 70 aty* is charged to ride the Hillsborough Circulator. Route Performance S' Latimer St 1 N W Tryon St J u W.King,St � Ridership on the circulator has recovered to approximately 78% Hillsborough 70 of pre-pandemic levels, with 1,042 boardings in October 2023 compared to 1,342 boardings in October 2019. As seen in Figure 21, boardings in 2023 are more evenly distributed throughout the day, with higher activity in the midday, compared to a previous J °^ AM and afternoon peak in 2019. Figure 20:Average Daily Boardings by Hour,October Qa as 12 OaXtlala,Or r 10 8 40 Z 6 Hillsborough Circulator Boardings f`� 4 o°mberzoza �e �, or 2 ncwny Hi,'mhgl 0 Hillsborouq„Circulator Data Sources:°range fuunryPublir iransil 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 o2l I'v AM AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM ■2019 ■2023 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-5 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTN SIT PLAN Figure 22 shows where boardings are concentrated along the Orange-Alamance Connector Hillsborough Circulator. High ridership areas include: ■ Large apartment complexes, including Gateway Village Route Description and Coachwood apartments on Cheshire Drive and Eno The Orange-Alamance Connector is a fixed-route service that Haven Apartments connected activity centers in Hillsborough, Efland, and Mebane ■ Key shopping destinations, including the Hillsborough during the weekday midday period when the peak-only Walmart and Rebecca Drive Food Lion GoTriangle Orange-Durham Express (ODX) is not operating. Due ■ Triangle Sportsplex and Passmore Center to low ridership, the route is currently operating as an on-demand There are distributed hoardings along the downtown portions of service, where riders would call the County to receive a ride along the route, and some limited ridership at other key stops.At key the fixed alignment. When in full operation, the Orange-Alamance timepoint stops, 16% of trips arrived more than 5 minutes after Connector ran bi-directional hourly service between 10 AM and 3 their scheduled times. PM Monday to Friday. Figure 22: Orange-Alamance Connector Boardings, October 2023 Opportunities 11 The Hillsborough Circulator connects the denser downtown = environment, apartment complexes, and major shopping destinations, but operates in a challenging built environment ORANGE outside of these main destinations. Ensuring the route takes the Efland-CheaNa Bgmmgn,yCanfar 14 a°artlings most direct path possible to the key ridership areas is essential in =� „shone 70 Efiend gPa improving reliability and on-time performance. Return trips are ; „abanaC°na Hillsborough Naelfh Parka Ritle made less direct by the nature of a one-way loop, especially when 1Baartli Hillsb°rqugA the route operates only hourly. A counter-loop with expanded o B°mm°°a -,I o 19aa4 aq ALAMANCE service hours is planned for the upcoming fiscal year, providing shorter travel times and more flexibility. ° range-Alamance Co onector B°artlinga • � O Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-6 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN Route Performance Orange-Chapel Hill Connector The Orange-Alamance Connector was the lowest performing OCTS fixed-route service pre-pandemic, with 45 total boardings in Route Description October 2019. In October 2023, operating as an on-demand The Orange-Chapel Hill Midday Connector (OCH), also known as service, 16 trips were attributed to the Orange-Alamance the "Hill to Hill", connects Hillsborough and Chapel Hill during the Connector. As shown in Figure 23, all but two of those boardings weekday AM peak and the midday period when the peak-only were at the Efland-Cheeks Community Center. GoTriangle Route 420 is not operating. The OCH operates along Hwy 86, serving downtown Hillsborough, UNC Hospital Opportunities Hillsborough Campus and Durham Tech Community College, The Orange-Alamance Connector has limited service hours, Eubanks Park and Ride, and key destinations in Chapel Hill, as well operating outside of core travel times, with potentially confusing as additional local stops. The route operates Monday to Friday differences from the peak-period service offered by the from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. GoTriangle ODX. While the route is not operating on the ground, the OCTS website does not show it as suspended or replaced by Route Performance demand response. Midday service along this corridor may be Due to data collection complications, accurate October 2023 better served by demand response or microtransit service, ridership information is not available for the OCH, so the analysis integrating the trips into the already existing alternatives and looks at February data from 2020 and 2024. In February 2024, better advertising the service to the public. there were 243 boardings for the route total, compared to 546 Mebane is a growing area with strong pockets of density that may boardings in February 2020. 64% of the recent boardings be supportive of fixed route transit service, but even when the occurred on southbound trips, and northbound trips were more Orange-Alamance Connector is fully operational, there is limited common in the late morning to early afternoon, whereas bus service available locally. southbound trips were distributed evenly across the day. Figure 24 shows the distribution of average daily boardings by hour for the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector for February 2020 and February 2024. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-7 Existing Conditions OR 4NRG ETROUN�Y ANSIT PLAN Figure 23:Average Daily Boardings by Hour, February Figure 24: Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Boardings, February 2024 12 10 Rd { 7 aiY Sys 8 �C7 Q Hillsborough 6 �3 4 2 1 1 1 1 0 e° 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 o'c°' red AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM �p �a■2020 ■2024 ORANGE 7 HL Blnal ab As seen in Figure 25, boardings are most common at UNC Chapel Hill, in downtown Hillsborough, and at UNC Hospital Hillsborough Eubanks Euba0ks Rd Campus, with low ridership along the rest of the route. Q Opportunities Hemea D The Orange-Chapel Hill Connector serves to fill the midday e'o DURHAM Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Boartlings Chapel HIII service gap of Route 420 as well as provide service to local stops ra ry2024 st C� Carrboro during the AM period while the 420 is operating. Given the >r9a ! Ra,e;,bRo imbalance in northbound and southbound boardings, it is likely oa.ewR....wen.cWnnr°e.°eaKa �5n. Jl" that riders are taking the OCH in one direction and the 420 in the other. Strong coordination between OCTS and GoTriangle is essential in serving those riders, as well as potential riders who may not know that is an available option. Identifying if there are unnecessary or duplicative trips between the OCH and 420 would also streamline service and potentially save money for either agency. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-8 SHORT Existing Conditions ORAPUNGEECROUNTY U�NSIT PLAN Demand Response & M icrotransit Figure 25: Orange County Public Transit Options Along with the paratransit provided within 3/4 mile of fixed route Public Transit in orange County, NC service as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, OCTS START HERE: Need some help?Call the Dept. on Aging's provides two types of non-fixed route service: program-based Transportation Helpline at 919-717-1853 Do you need a ride rural demand response service and a publicly available within the next microtransit service called Orange Count Mobility on Demand 7days? g Y Y Is(here a bus (MOD). Both service types operate throughout all of Orange i stop 3/4 of a N° No ----------------------------- mile from where - -- County, and serve key destinations in Mebane and Durham. In Yes you live? addition, both Chapel Hill Transit and GoTriangle operate MOD Do you have a disabilit v Are you 60 paratransit services within their respective service areas: EZ Rider Fixed Routes iy Yes or alder? and GoACCESS.A guide to the different service types from the Yes Na Are you so e Oran Count Department of in ish in Figure 26. The Do you live in or older? Yes g Y p Aging g sown gure Tawn of Chapel No following sections will detail the programs under rural demand Hill arCorrbora? No Yes No response as well as the MOD program. Do you live in MOD Ye5 the town of EDTAP MOD Customers typically use these services roundtrip. Orange County Hillsborough? MOD RGP Fixed Routes records trips separately for each direction. For mapping purposes, Do you live within EDTAP MOD tri on ins are defined as residential locations or the startin 3/4 of a mile from yes NO Fixed Routes p 9 g GoTriongle point of a trip between two non-residential locations. Trip a❑oara❑o? MOD Do you live in Orange County but destinations are defined as non-residential locations or the end Fixed Routes outside the town limits of Chapel point of a trip between two non-residential locations. Yes No OUT ADA Hill,Corrbora,orHillsborough? MOD MOD Na Fixed Routes Fixed Routes Yes EZ Rider EZ Rider GoACCE55 MOD E dTa p Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-9 Existing Conditions ORASHORT NGE CGE OUNSIT LAN Rural Demand Response ■ Transport to work or training for DSS clients transitioned off TANF or Work First within 12 months, Workforce Service Description Development Program participants, "disadvantaged public" and or general public. Rural Demand Response service in Orange County consists of multiple disparate programs that provide door-to-door service ■ Job interviews,job fairs,job readiness activities/training, based on location and eligibility: the Elderly and Disabled GED classes, transportation to work (scheduled by Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP), the Employment passenger), Transportation Assistance Program (EMPL), the Department of ■ Children of working parent transported to child care. Social Services Work First Program (DSS), and Rural General RGP services are available to any member of the public, and are Public (RGP). These services are marketed to the public based on advertised on the OCTS website, but no trips were taken via that eligibility, not grouped together by funding as they are for the program during the study period. purposes of this analysis. Service Performance Demand Response service is available Monday through Friday from 7 AM until 5 PM, and trips must be booked two days in In October 2023, OCTS provided 1,502 completed demand advance by 5 PM.Trip funding is based on the eligibility of the response trips through the project categories. EDTAP funded rider and trip purpose. EDTAP-eligible riders include Orange 1,035 of those trips, DSS was the funding source for 456 trips, and County elderly (60+) or disabled residents travelling for the EMPL funded 11 trips. Due to the nature of eligibility-based following eligible trip purposes: services, each trip's purpose is recorded, and Figure 27 shows the number of trips taken for each eligible purpose, broken down by ■ Job interviews,job fairs,job readiness activities/training, funding source. GED classes, transportation to work, Group field trips/ tours to community special events ■ Human Services agency appointments, public hearings, committee meetings • Medical appointments, pharmacy pick-ups, shopping, personal care, banking etc. The Employment Transportation Assistance Program (EMPL) and DSS Work First Program provide trips for the following purposes: Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-10 Existing Conditions OR 4N�G ETROUN�Y ANSIT PLAN Figure 26: Demand Response Trips by Purpose,October 2023 Demand Response trips in October 2023, with larger dots 600 553 indicating more trips to or from that location. Demand Response riders tend to travel from disparate home locations in less dense 500 areas to concentrated destinations in the municipalities, in 400 364 particular: 300 260 ■EMPL Carolina Dialysis, in Carrboro and Mebane 200 145 92 ■DSS ■ Hillsborough Recovery Solutions 100 ' ' 43 38 4 2 1— ■EDTAP Passmore Senior Center 0 ■ Downtown Hillsborough C.a�e Qa� rep .��� o e � Cp ."� S�a\�ra�� 36/0 of Demand Response trips picked up their passengers within 10 minutes of the scheduled pick-up time. P Opportunities Figure 27: Demand Response Average Daily Trips Per Hour,October 2023 Demand Response services are fragmented, with multiple funding 16 sources and different flows of customer information. It can be 14 hard, especially for new riders, to identify which service they may 12 be eligible for, where each one operates, or how to book a trip. 10 The website, Rider's Guide PDF, and backend data do not all 8 match, and this could discourage potential users. This also 6 complicates funding and reimbursement, in particular for 4 Medicaid-eligible trips. 2 0 ' _ For current users, Demand Response services are not consistently 6 AM 7 AM 8 AM 9 AM 10 11 12 1 PM 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM 5 PM on time, and require significant advance notice, lowering their AM AM PM convenience compared to traditional fixed-route transit or other transportation options. Improving response time and on-time Figure 28 shows the average daily Demand Response trips per performance could attract new users as well as improve the hour, with clear peaks in demand from 8 to 10 AM and from 3 to experience of current riders. 4 PM. Figure 29 shows the home and destination locations of all Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-11 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE CROUNTY U�NSIT PLAN Figure 28: ROAP Demand Response Trips,October 2023 -------------------------------------------- 49 S 00 a � x r 4� • Ca� • a Store Ro isOi Oa • ''� i Ra • � • :nh/ay'Ra u`e � • r Q c'R° ' • • • sF d I' Lebanon Rd � SUMat`I d Mebane o All, • • le • •• 4p Hillsborough • �• • 04 • j r � a a �P to • 4 ��,Nm\Faa as • • Old � a6 a ' o • (r' a ao90 Ne* 9a ^ s o yo • Mt Sinai R'd } Q Eubae�s Rd �• . • �ostead Ry o •• n � ee r Esros • • Or Demand Reponse Travel Flows Chapel Hill October 2023 ' •� Origin Location Carrboro 40 Destination Location Old Greensboro Rd Total Riders per Location asF Ra r atf9`, C 5 10 25 50 �e • r �'A ' 1 N 501 /C a ' h Oa[a Sources:Orange GounryPublic irensi[ o tniies Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-12 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNTY ANSIT PLAN Mobility on Demand Figure 29: MOD Service Area -----------------------------L-----------------------------------------------------r--- Service Description o Orange County MOD (Mobility On Demand) is an on-demand , microtransit service available to the general public within Orange 06 County and with service extending to Mebane and downtown Durham. MOD service operates Monday to Thursday 8 am — 5 0 3` pm, Fridays 8 am —9 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am— 5 pm. Trip e Pa Son/y9a So �e fares are $5 per zone travelled through, with the zones and O service area shown in Figure 30. y sad a' Lebanon Rd S�l� 3 Mebane a Service Performance o ' Hillsborough 40 In October 2023, service was available on weekdays only, and 29 �3 Pa O amp trips were completed with an average of fewer than 2 trips per day. Trips were most commonly taken during the AM peak and at O a Old "°'° noon (Figure 31). egg° Q`o °Wa a a9 NeW� By Due to the limited number of home locations, only destinations 0 „ SIna;Ra are shown in the ridership map in (Figure 32). The Seymour O = [M= 1� Q Eub.0's Rd Center on Homestead Road was the most popular MOD }" destination. 52% of MOD trips complete their pick-up within 10 o a F=`eBdR" O minutes of the scheduled pick-up time. Es' Chapel Hill O Carrboro Q Did Greensboro Rd Q ed �a ,oaesFe c9 ' Demand Response and �l a„ Mobility-On-Demand t 'y cn Service Areas _-- °am 8awae 0,eng,Ca,Pudic➢omit a r„��., N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-13 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUN�Y SIT PLAN Figure 30:All Trips by Hour,October 2023 Figure 31: Mobility On Demand Destinations,October 2023 10 f F 48 J, 8 r 6 C Vr Store RdcoO 4 2 O °Pa O 3 Scryty9a 1 o a Ra " 8 AM 9 AM 10 AM 11 AM 12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 3 PM 4 PM 5 PM O " MacYs Pd Lebanon Rd Mebane o Opportunities a o Orange County MOD is significantly underused, given the Hillsborough r potential demand within the service area. Much of Orange County a¢y� is not suited to fixed-route transit, and demand response service Old NC 10 requires longer waiting periods and can face eligibility constraints. O Pa oO� �Cor. There is not currently a service area map available on the OCTS 9aG`°a ° website for MOD—a potential rider must first register online or a Nei ° Mtslnsi via app with a third party to see the full extent of service offered 54 �ty�T through MOD, which adds an unnecessary barrier to ride. Cost Rd and payment may also pose barriers to potential riders compared " a �astead Ry to the more subsidized Rural Demand Response services and the as Este technology requirements for booking and payment. Identifying U a other barriers to use through public ill het e Chapel Hill g p engagement p shape Carrboro en a ement w O Mobility-On-Demand the advertising and service characteristics of MOD to ensure that Destinations Old Greensboro Rd October 2023 as �a the funding is being put to the best use for Orange County. Y Total Riders per Location ;_-_ « •1 •5 •10 _____-_____ _____ el __-_ ---------------------------- Oa[a Sources:Orange County Public Ransi[ 0 t 211i1ea N Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4-14 Existing Conditions ORA RANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY 5 TRANSIT FUNDING Funding drives the amount of transit service EXPENSES AND REVENUES and capital projects Orange County can provide its residents, workers, and visitors. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, OCTS spent approximately $2.3 million on all its expenses, for both fixed route and demand response This chapter review OCTS's annual expenses and revenues, services (Figure 33). Partly due to inflation, expenses in FY2023 including a look at the agency's current federal, state, and local totaled approximately $3.7 million. For both years, personnel funding mechanisms. It also begins to explore other potential costs were highest, followed by operating costs. Capital purchases funding sources for future transit improvements. Key takeaways made up the smallest proportion of the total expenses. include: As shown in Figure 34, OCTS made approximately $2.2 million in ■ OCTS's expenses exceed revenues, creating a funding gap revenues in FY2022 and $2.5 million in FY2023. About 13% of that makes it difficult to provide needed transit services. revenues came from the federal government, with a mix of 5307 ■ OCTS utilizes federal, state, and local funding sources. and 5311 funds.Just under 10% came from North Carolina's Rural Over 75% of funds come from local sources, including the Operating Assistance Program (ROAP). Over 75% of funds came Orange County Transit Tax and other county funds. from local sources, including Orange County government funds, ■ There are other federal, state, and local funds that OCTS Orange County Transit Plan transit tax reimbursements, fares, and can utilize to increase its revenues. charges for services. Fares made up about 1% of OCTS revenues. Figure 32: FY2022 and FY2023 OCTS Expenses FY2022 FY2023 Category Demand Response Fixed Route Total Demand Response Fixed Route Total Administrative $186,733 $80,028 $266,761 $338,612 $207,789 $546,401 Operating $591,229 $253,384 $844,613 $944,214 $513,389 $1,457,603 Capital $4,766 $2,042 $6,808 $0 $192,434 $192,434 Personnel $978,338 $244,585 $1,222,923 $1,184,426 $296,106 $1,480,532 Total Expenses $1,761,066 $335,454 $2,341,105 $1,282,826 $913,612 $3,676,970 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5-1 Existing Conditions ORA RRANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Figure 33: FY2022 and FY2023 OCTS Revenues FY2022 T FY2023 Source Amount %of Total Amount %of Total Federal 5307 Urbanized Area Formula $133,787 6.17% $141,102 5.60% 5311 CTP Funds $154,976 7.14% $184,580 7.33% Federal Total $288,763 13.31% $325,682 12.94% State ROAP Funds $197,845 9.12% $211,284 8.39% State Total $197,845 9.12% $211,284 8.39% Local Transit Tax* $765,987 35.31% $948,482 37.68% Local Government Funds $767,112 35.37% $952,896 37.85% Fares $12,419 0.74% $27,610 1.39% Charge for Services $136,888 6.31% $51,493 2.05% Local Total $1,682,406 77.57% $1,980,481 78.67% Total Revenue $2,169,014 $2,517,447 *Note:The Orange County Transit Tax is a reimbursement of Local Government Funds and does not include funds set aside for the Transit Plan Update process. state, and local levels. This list builds upon work completed FUNDING SOURCES through the BGMPO Regional Transit Feasibility Study. OCTS's annual expenses exceed its revenues, and additional investments are needed to fulfill the level of transit need Federal Sources identified in Orange County. To increase its revenues, OCTS can work to fully utilize existing funding sources, including the Orange Section 5307 County Transit Tax, and tap into new ones. The following is a non- Section 5307 is FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Program. These exhaustive list of the funding sources available at the federal, funds are available for transit agencies that operate within a Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5-2 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN census-designated urbanized area. Section 5307 funds can be The federal share is not to exceed 80 percent of the net project used towards up to 80% of capital costs and 50% of operating cost. costs. These funds are distributed through MPOs with a set allowance per transit agency. Carbon Reduction Program The Carbon Reduction Program is a new funding source through Section 5310 the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funds are administered through Section 5310 is formula funding targeted towards transportation the NCDOT. The program provides funds for projects that reduce needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The federal carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the transportation sector. share is up to 80% for capital projects and 50% for operating assistance. Example uses of eligible Section 5310-funded activities Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality include the purchase of buses and vans, wheelchair lifts and The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement ramps, mobility management programs, travel training and Program is a long-standing source of grant funding for transit-related information technology systems, including transportation programs that reduce air pollution and vehicle scheduling, routing, and one-call systems. Section 5310 funds are miles travelled. It is often used by transit agencies for upfront reserved for agencies with locally coordinated human service capital costs, like the acquisition of on-demand vehicles. plans. Section 5311 State Sources Section 5311 is a formula grant program for rural areas, providing Rural Operating Assistance Program capital, planning, and operating assistance. The federal share is up to 80%for capital projects, 50% for operating assistance and 80% The Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) is a state-funded for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) non-fixed route public transportation program administered by the North paratransit service. Carolina DOT'S Integrated Mobility Division. Formula-based programs that fall under ROAP include: Section 5339 ■ Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program Section 5339 is FTA's Bus and Bus Facilities Program. This (EDTAP) program funds replacement, rehabilitation and purchase of buses ■ Employment and Transportation Assistance Program and related equipment, and construction of bus-related facilities. (EMPL) ■ Rural General Public Program (RGP) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5-2 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN A local match is not required for EDTAP and EMPL, but a in 2022, with funding for MOD and other transit services in minimum 10% local match is required for RGP. ROAP funds can Orange County. also be used to leverage FTA Section 5310 and 5311 funds. The Plan is funded through a series of Orange County taxes and State Maintenance Assistance Program fees approved by voters: ■ Half-Cent Sales and Use Tax The State Maintenance Assistance Program (SMAP) provides state funds designed to assist urban, small urban, and regional transit ' 5%Vehicle Rental Tax service providers with funding the non-federal share of • $3 increase to the GoTriangle Regional Vehicle operational expenses. Funds are allocated annually through a Registration Fee formula. Funds can be used only for FTA Section 5307-eligible ■ $7 County Vehicle Registration Fee operating costs and cannot exceed the amount of the local fund match. Medicaid Transportation Non-emergency medical transportation provided by OCTS is Transportation Demand Management funded by Orange County's Department of Social Services, which Public organizations responsible for the promotion of gets reimbursed from the state's Medicaid program. North Transportation Demand Management (TDM) activities may apply Carolina expanded access to Medicaid in December 2023, so for matching funds for strategies that promote the use of OCTS may be able to provide more medical trips soon. transportation options other than single-occupancy vehicles. The program funds up to 50% of the total expenses associated with Fares TDM programs, including the creation of a new TDM Plan for an OCTS charges a variety of fares for its services. For fixed routes, agency. the Hillsborough Connector is free of charge, while the Orange- Alamance Connector and the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector are Local Sources $2 for the general public. Demand response services range from fare-free to $12.75, depending on eligibility and type of service. Orange County Transit Plan The Mobility on Demand service is $5 one way. Changes to the Originally adopted in 2012 as the Bus and Rail Investment Plan, fare structure can influence the funding available for transit the Orange County Transit Plan was updated in 2017 and service in Orange County, though fares are a small piece of total provides for funding to OCTS, GoTriangle, and Chapel Hill Transit revenue. for improvements to transit services. The Plan was updated again Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5-3 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY SIT PLAN 6 OPPORTUNITIES OCTS serves essential transportation needs in Hillsborough and rural Orange County through a patchwork of fixed route, rural Improve Existing Services demand response, and MOD services, coordinated with multiple transit and human services agencies throughout the region, and Invest in Demand Response outside of main towns and connects rural residents to all urban areas in and around the corridors county. The SRTP will build upon the identified gaps and • Strengthen the Hillsborough Circulator, focusing on on- opportunities when recommending improvements to time performance, travel time, and service hours transportation in Orange County. ■ Improve performance by expanding the fleet and Based upon the findings of the Existing Conditions report, OCTS continuing to recruit operators. can continue to improve transportation and grow alongside the Explore New Service Opportunities communities of Orange County by focusing on making it easier to ■ Explore options for free and low-cost service to grocery ride existing services, making it easier to pay for transportation, stores, social services, and senior centers improving the operations of existing services, exploring the ■ Increased access to employment opportunities, including development of new services, and better leveraging currently non-traditional work hours available funding. Key opportunities under each of these improvement categories include: Invest in a Mebane circulator in partnership with other transit providers Make Services Easier to Use 0 Identify potential capital improvements to improve speed • Communicate with the public about available services, and reliability, such as transit emphasis corridors. including better advertising for all services, particularly MOD, and clarifying the on-demand status of the Orange- Better Leverage Available Funding Alamance Connector • Balance available resources to favor more productive and ■ Invest in better bus stop amenities needed services • Improve pedestrian and bike access to transit • Ensure Medicaid-eligible trips are being reimbursed to the fullest extent possible ■ Coordinate services with regional providers, including GoTriangle, Chapel Hill Transit, PART, ACTA, and Link ' Explore ways to leverage additional transit tax and federal Transit dollars Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-1 66 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUN7SIT N Improve Fare Payment • Streamline fare payment methodology across services ■ Explore possibility of subsidized passes for MOD These findings will be supplemented by robust public outreach to understand what current and potential riders want most from OCTS, and integrated into proposals for further review at a later stage of the SRTP. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-2 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNTY APPENDIX Al REVIEW OF PAST PLANS Reviewing past plans and projects sets the stage for the existing ■ Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning conditions analysis by providing a baseline and history of Organization (DCHC MPO) Comprehensive Transportation projects, changes, and future visions. The project team reviewed Plan (2017) plans and projects relevant to transit in Orange County and the ■ City of Mebane Comprehensive Transportation Plan surrounding region, including transit plans, climate plans, funding (2021) studies, and multimodal transportation plans. The plans reviewed The review of each plan focused on both transit-based elements are listed below. such as routes, services, and corridors that have been identified ■ Orange County Transit Plan (2017) and Update (2022) for transit investments, along with higher level elements, such as ■ Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization funding and county-wide goals. A summary of each plan is as (BGMPO) Comprehensive Transportation Plan (2022) follows. ■ BGMPO 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (2020) ■ BGMPO Regional Transit Feasibility Study (2024) Orange County Transit Plan ■ Orange County Climate Action Plan (2023) Update (2022) ■ Connect 2050: The Research Triangle Region's Metropolitan Transportation Plan (2022) The Orange County Transit Plan Update (2022) allocates transit ■ Orange County's Complete Streets and Vision Zero tax district revenues for the next 20 years based on community needs, values, and priorities, and includes both previously Policies (2022) programmed and new projects. The Orange County transit tax is • Orange County Transportation Services Title VI Plan 1/2-cent sales tax that is also collected during vehicle rentals and (2022) registration. In 2022, revenues for this tax were nearly $9M. These ■ Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit revenues go towards Orange County Public Transportation, Plan (2022) Chapel Hill Transit, and GoTriangle, along with funding ■ GoTriangle Short Range Transit Plan (2023) infrastructure-related transit improvements. ■ Chapel Hill Short Range Transit Plan (2020) The plan's goals and values include promoting greater quality of life through facilitating travel in the region, easing access to the Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-1 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNLAY ANSIT PLAN region's wealth of colleges and universities, and ensuring transit — Improvements to the Hillsborough Circulator, service for as many residents as reasonably possible. including expanded hours and a counter-direction Relevant Findings: loop ■ The 2012 Interlocal Agreement for Orange County Hillsborough-Durham Midday Connector distributes transit tax revenues to the three transit — New peak-only fixed route services: a Cedar Grove agencies: 64%for Chapel Hill Transit, 24%for GoTriangle, Peak Connector and a White Cross Commuter Service and 12% for Orange County Public Transportation — Transit amenities in Hillsborough, including a new ■ Transit tax revenues make up 34% of OCPT's budget, transit center and park and ride facility compared to 13% for CHT and 4% for GoTriangle. ■ Mobility On-Demand Service Expansion is funded through transit tax revenues. The expansion is slated to be completed in two phases-2022 and 2024—and will cost approximately 1.1 M to complete. ■ In addition to the On-Demand Service Expansion, transit tax revenues have been slated to fund projects from the 2012 or 2017 Orange County Transit Plans. For OCPT, these projects are 15 OCPT bus stop signs, Hillsborough Park-and-Ride, AVL, and Planning for the new OCPT Transit Plan. ■ The revenue generated by the transit tax district is not enough to fund all projects, so OCPT has a list of seven identified 'unfunded priorities'. These are identified in the case of additional funding becoming available so that there is already a list of potential uses for such funds. OCPT's unfunded priorities do not include cost estimates. — Vanpool Subsidy Program Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-2 Existing Conditions ORA RANGE TROUNTY ANSIT PLAN Figure A: OUT MOD Project Sheet Figure B: OUT MOD Service Area projects. - ""'iiity-on-Demand service rovides a critical on-demand IL ansit option for residents who o notiive neor fixed-route transit ervice[oreos shaded in orange) 0RANGECOUNTYPUBLICTRANSPORTATION Q- ss.ramin 0 25mi 5m: 0 P—k—ly OCPT's Mobility-on-Demand (MOD) service provides life-line service in difficult to serve locations currently lacking transit options. Route:Orange County Public Transportation MOD The Mobility-On-Demand service provides a critical on-demand Improvements:Two[2]phases extending service hours transit option for Orange County and Coverage residents living in areas that lack fixed-route transit service. This projects expands the days Description: and hours when this affordable ' Phase l:Expand hours of service and coverage area; transportation option is available ` Phase 2:Improve coverage area,expand hours and for ALL residents of Orange days of service County in two phases. 617.-ice - .y Cost:$438,741[Phase I]increasing to$650,588 0 [Phase 2] r • Net New Revenue Hours:4,400 Implementation Year:2024[Phase 1],2026[Phase 2]core values. `l �•�r—I Equity:Provides transit service in locations that currently have little to no service,including A lower income,rural communities. option for all. • ------------- -------------- Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-3 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TNN Burlington-Graham MPO transit services in areas that either lack transit services today or would benefit from improvements to existing services. (BGMPO) Comprehensive Transportation Plan (2022) BGMPO Metropolitan BGMPO's Comprehensive Transportation Plan is the MPO's long- Transportation Plan 2045 (2020) range plan that identifies major transportation needs and The BGMPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2045 is the solutions through 2050. The recommendations in this plan are not region's transportation plan, which consists of the cities and funded or fiscally constrained, unlike other regional towns of Burlington, Graham, Mebane, Elon, Gibsonville, Green comprehensive plans. The plan includes recommendations for Level, Haw River, Whitsett, Alamance, and the counties of transit infrastructure and service improvements for the Burlington, Alamance and parts of Guilford and Orange. This plan identifies Graham, and Mebane areas, with a few recommendations for the region's transportation needs over the next twenty years. Orange County. The relevant recommendations consist of: Relevant OCPT Findings: ■ A Mebane Connector, which would cover the City of The Alamance County Transportation Authority (ACTA) Mebane and connect to the proposed Mebane - recommended two fixed routes for Mebane: the Mebane Hillsborough Commuter Rail via the Downtown Mebane Circulator and the ACC to Mebane Connector.These both rail station. fall under the MTP 2045 Unfunded List, which was ■ A Mebane to Hillsborough Commuter Rail, which would compiled by transit agency staff and the Steering run for 13 miles from Downtown Mebane Station to Committee. These were both classified as 'Medium' Hillsborough and potentially beyond. regarding the funding feasibility in the 2020-2045 ■ Enhanced service on the Orange-Alamance Connector by timeframe. Both the Mebane Circulator and the ACC to increasing headways Mebane Connector would have an estimated capital cost ■ Improving and adding new park and rides in Orange for vehicles during the first 10 years of operations of County, Graham, and Mebane. $160,000, and each would have an annual operating cost Note that there are additional recommendations for Graham and of $48,863 and $48,878, respectively. Mebane that would not have any interaction with Orange County Refers to the recommendation of other plans for Public Transit that are not listed here. The fiscally unconstrained improved on-demand service hours and vehicles across recommendations here would provide greater connectivity and Orange County Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-4 71 ORANGE COUNTY Existing Conditions SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN FigunoC: Mebane Connector Option 1 FigureE: Mebane Connector Option 3 _� � FigueD: Mebane Connector Option 3 T. Ne|oon\Nyguuvd Consulting Associates 6'5 72 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TY BGMPO Regional Transit Orange County Climate Action Feasibility Study (2024) Plan (2023) The BGMPO Regional Transit Feasibility Study focused on The Orange County Climate Action Plan (CAP) is the guiding identifying opportunities to better coordinate and expand transit document towards greenhouse gas reductions, looking to act as a service in the region. There are proposals that include agency comprehensive strategy guide that is in line with state consolidation or partnerships that do not include OCPT as an regulations. As a holistic Climate Action Plan, transit strategies are impacted/consolidated organization, but OCPT would be just a subset of the outlined strategies for greenhouse gas indirectly impacted as the agency would still coordinate with the reduction by 2030 and 2050. Transit-specific strategies revolve larger agency on regional transit needs. around increased on-demand service and converting to an The study also presents an overview of funding available funding electric fleet. opportunities, including those that are currently utilized and Relevant Findings: potential local funding opportunities.Available federal funding . Extend service hours by 3% and coverage by 6% by 2030 programs include: Implement changes to address gaps in Northern and ■ Section 5307 Southern Orange County by 2030. ■ Section 5310 ■ OCTP's transit fleet accounts forjust 1% of carbon ■ Section 5311 emissions created by the county government and its ■ Section 5339 operations ■ The Carbon Reduction Program • Transitioning to smaller, energy-efficient buses or vans is Available state funding programs include: a priority to make progress by 2050 ■ Rural Operating Assistance Program • Expansion of Orange County mobility on Demand is a ■ State Maintenance Assistance Program priority and part of the strategy of exploring innovative public transportation options Potential new local funding sources include: E Increase in registered zero-emission vehicles in North ■ Vehicle registration fee Carolina to be 1,250,000 by 2030, and 50% of new vehicle ■ 1/4 -cent sales tax sales to be zero emissions. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-6 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TNN Connect 2050: The Research Orange County's Complete Triangle Region's Metropolitan Streets and Vizion Zero Policies Transportation Plan (2022) (2022) Connect 2050 is the long-range transportation plan for the two Orange County's Complete Streets and Vizion Zero Policies were organizations that oversee transportation planning in the adapted in October 2022.The Vizion Zero Policy states that the Research Triangle Region:The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning locality will aim to meet the state's safety targets of a 50% Organization (CAMPO) and the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro reduction of fatalities and serious injuries by 2035, and a 100% Metropolitan Planning Organization (DCHC MPO). This plan reduction by 2050. To do so, Orange County strives to improve describes analysis and public engagement that resulted in a set of safety by developing a Transportation Safety Plan, create safer planned investments. The transit-related components of this are: streets, and deliver equity-driven transportation projects. local and regional transit facilities and services, including rapid This goes hand-in-hand with the Complete Streets Policy, which bus and rail lines; transportation demand management marketing was adopted in tandem with the Vision Zero plan.The complete and outreach efforts that increase the use of alternatives to peak streets policy strives to encourage the design and construction of period solo driving; technology-based transportation services and safer and more equitable streets. using advanced technology to make transit and road investments more effective. Orange County Transportation ■ Adopted regional transit project for high frequency bus service on the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector by 2050 in Services Title VI Plan (2022) the form of a High Capacity or Express Bus. Orange County Transportation Services Title VI Plan overviews the ■ Transit is an emphasis, but there is not much focus on Title VI standards and processes that OCTS must abide by. OCPT-related transit. Included in this document are also transit service standards that ■ Points to the 2022 Orange County Transit Plan Update for OCTS has stated, including that all fixed-route services have more information regarding OCPT-specific transit plans. between 30- and 45-minute headways with plans to reduce these ■ Summarizes funding, transit, demographics, and transit to between 15 and 30 minutes. demand from other plans. This plan additionally includes guidelines surrounding Title VI analysis and Environmental Justice analysis prior to system Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-7 74 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TY changes or new facility construction. This plan also provides only services to reflect changing travel patterns. Relevant findings guidelines on public engagement. to Orange County are: ■ Ridership on the ODX and 420 have not recovered to pre- Orange County Transportation pandemic levels. Services ADA Paratransit Plan ' ODX ridership is heavily peak oriented, with nearly all passengers riding to Durham in the morning and from (2022) Durham in the afternoon. The Orange County Transportation Services ADA Paratransit Plan ' To improve speed and reliability for riders, route outlines the standards that OCPT must meet to provide sufficient alignment changes were recommended for both the ODX ADA and paratransit services. OCPT currently exceeds the and 420, with the potential for future service frequency required service standards for coverage and abides by all federally and span improvements beyond the time period of the mandated standards. Orange County operates ADA service within SRTP. 3/a-mile of each side of fixed route corridors 5 days a week from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Users must schedule their ride at least a day Chapel Hill Short-Range in advance in order to receive this service. Transportation Plan (2020) In addition to ADA service, OCTP offers MOD services, which do not require advanced scheduling, and can pick up a passenger as Chapel Hill Transit's 2020 SRTP provides a roadmap for transit quickly as 30 minutes from the time of reservation. improvements in Chapel Hill and Carrboro for the next ten years. Recommendations include service expansion and demand- response zone additions. Additionally, Chapel Hill Transit wants to GoTriangle Short Range Transit ensure simple, direct, and consistent transit by minimizing route Plan (2023) deviations, operating along more direct paths and utilizing major arterials, and simplifying passenger facing materials. GoTriangle's Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) provides a Recommendations in this SRTP that are particularly relevant to comprehensive assessment of the transit environment, service, OCPT is the consolidation of paratransit services where they and performance of regional transit in Durham, Orange, and overlap and continuing to look for effective ways to serve Wake Counties, and offers a set of recommendations up to FY28. commuter demand between service areas. The recommendations included simplification of routes, strengthening all-day regional connections, and adjusting peak- Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-8 Existing Conditions ORANGE CGE OUNSIT TNN DCHC M PO Comprehensive travel within the city, as opposed to destinations outside of the city. Additionally, there is demand for service to Alamance Transportation Plan (2017) Community College and to have connections to other regional routes. The DCHC MPO Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a long- range transportation plan that covers the region and outlines plans to be implemented through 2040. The modes that the plan covers are highway, public transportation, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian changes. For Orange County, major public transportation recommendations include the Durham-Orange Light Rail Transit and the North-South Corridor Bus Rapid Transit—a rapid transit route that runs along NC-86 and US 15- 501 from Eubanks to Southern Village. Both of these routes would serve routes that have been identified as key commuter paths, relieving the need for automobile transit to job centers and other key destinations. City of Mebane Comprehensive Transportation Plan (2018) The City of Mebane's Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a multi-modal plan that covers roadway, public transportation, and bicycle and pedestrian travel. The City of Mebane does not currently run any form of local transit and is reliant on surrounding transit agencies to cover the needs of their residents. To change this, the plan recommends a circulator bus route for Mebane, which would run through the main part of the city, covering key destinations, such as parks, schools, community centers, and commercial destinations along the route. This route would provide a needed form of transit for Mebane residents to Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6-9 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Appendix B: Strategies Evaluation CJpAT/O," September 2024 NELSON N NYGAARD ' I APW lol- xr � Ya .h� sr 77 Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation ORANGE COUNTY p p g SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Table of Contents Page 1 Strategy Development.................................................................................................... 1 2 Evaluation Framework.....................................................................................................2 3 Prioritized Strategies.......................................................................................................4 4 Prioritized Capital Projects.............................................................................................6 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates i Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation OR 4NRG ETROUNLAN 1 STRATEGY Not all improvements to transit occur through changes to service operation. Transit is also improved through changes to an DEVELOPMENT agency's policies or through administrative programs. The following strategies recommended policies or programs that A broad range of strategies for improving public transportation in OCTS could implement: Orange County were developed based on findings from the ■ Transit Information Campaign Existing Conditions report, the first round of public engagement, ■ Improve Demand Response booking and other adopted transportation plans. Strategies were categorized into three types: 1) transit service, 2) policies and Mobility Manager programs, and 3) capital improvement projects. ■ Discount MOD Fares Transit service strategies included new services as well as ■ Fare Payment Improvements operating improvements to existing services for all three types of The third category of strategies were capital improvement transportation offered by OCTS: fixed-route buses, rural demand projects. Each strategy represented a type of capital improvement response, and Mobility On Demand (MOD). The following transit with multiple locations recommended for each type.These service strategies were brought forward for evaluation: strategies do not include capital projects that are required for ■ Hillsborough Circulator Service Improvements basic operation of the transit service strategies, such as new bus stops for new services. Capital improvement strategies brought ■ Hillsborough Circulator Saturday Service forward for evaluation included: ■ Hillsborough Circulator US-70 Corridor Study Proposal ■ Walking Access to Transit (8 locations) ■ Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 1: Orange-Chapel Hill ■ Bus Stop Improvements (4 locations) Connector Alignment Change ■ Hill to Hill Full Consolidation ■ Rural Mobility Hubs (10 locations) ■ Orange-Alamance Conversion to Mobility On Demand All strategies were presented to the Core Technical Team and ■ Orange-Alamance Service Expansion adjusted based on feedback before moving to evaluation. ■ Mebane Circulator ■ Mobility On Demand Service Improvements ■ Mobility On Demand Service Span Expansion ■ Demand Response Weekend Service Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 1 Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation OR 4NRG ETROUNLAN 2 EVALUATION the Strategic Plan. For evaluation purposes, metrics were created to measure how well a project supported each objective. The FRAMEWORK metrics aim to balance qualitative and quantitative inputs for the wide variety of strategies to be evaluated. Figure 1 lists the five An evaluation framework allows Orange County to prioritize core values, seven objectives, and nine metrics. recommendations and evaluate projects, policies, and programs Based on the methodology detailed in Figure 2, each strategy was for their ability to achieve the goals and values of the Orange scored from one to three points per metric. Methods of County Transit Plan and Orange County Strategic Plan. The Core measurement varied depending on the type of strategy, and both Community Values from the Orange County Transit Plan Update quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Final scores provided the foundation for evaluating the proposed strategies, based on the evaluation framework helped to prioritize different and objectives for each value were taken directly from either the strategies and spend Orange County's funds in accordance with Transit Plan Update or the multimodal transportation section of their core values. Figure 1 Evaluation Framework Objective1 Core Value Prioritize the transit needs of underserved or transit-dependent residents; Environmental Justice Communities of Equity includes historically disinvested communities of color, lower-income Concern served neighborhoods,seniors,and rural communities. Economic Prosperity Prioritize increasing access to jobs and opportunities Jobs served Prioritize accessible and convenient transit service in areas with existing People served or planned higher density development. Environmental Sustainability Increase community awareness of all modes of transportation including Does this make transit easier and safer to transit, bike and pedestrian,vehicle, and all other modes use? Transportation&Access for All Prioritize transit service that increases transit access for the most people Does this improve regional connections? to the most places Does this improve local transit? Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates ORANGE COUJ Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Does this reduce duplication? Prioritize transit service connections to affordable housing, recreation,and Activity centers served arts and cultural opportunities. Affordable&Attainable Quality of Life Identify priorities and resources necessary to implement the Orange Strategy Cost County Transit Plan. Figure 2 Evaluation Metrics • •g Data Source Environmental Justice High-Medium-Low: Does the project target Average number of Communities of Concern DCHC MPO 2020 Communities of Concern'MOM these groups? in the block groups served by a project Environmental Justice Report Jobs Served High-Medium-Low improvement of transit Sum of jobs within the project service area CAMPO 2020 Triangle access to job opportunities Regional Model People served High-Medium-Low improvement of access Sum of people within the project service area CAMPO 2020 Triangle to transit service for residents Regional Model Does this make transit easier and High-Medium-Low improvement of service levels,access to information,or rider safety and safer to use? comfort Does this improve regional High-Medium-Low improvement of connecting to other regional transit services or long connections? distance trips Does this improve local transit? High-Medium-Low improvement of transit within municipalities or for shorter, local trips - Does this project reduce High: Reduces duplication, Medium: no impact, Low:duplicates service duplication? g ' p p Activity Centers served High-Medium-Low improvement of transit Number of key activity centers within the Appendix A:Existing access to activity centers project service area Conditions Estimate program cost, high-medium-low Difference in annual operating cost of Transit Service:OCTS StrategyCost compared to other policies and programs; proposal from existingas programmed low cost scores the highest,while high cost p g Capital Improvements: Wake strategies score lower Estimated project cost for strategy type Bus Plan, 2022 Project service area is defined as within I/2 mile buffer of each stop for fixed route transit, '/z mile buffer of the capital improvement,or countywide for Mobility on Demand. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3 Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY 3 PRIORITIZED the ordinal score from 1 to 3 in parentheses.The total score for each strategy is the sum of its ordinal scores. STRATEGIESAfter prioritization, strategies were slotted into the available budget and timeline and reviewed by stakeholders and the public. After finalizing the Evaluation Framework, all proposed strategies Final strategies found in the Short Range Transit Plan may differ were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. Figure 3 lists all slightly from those in the table based on engagement feedback evaluated strategies in descending order based on the total score. and technical considerations. The qualitative or quantitative result for each metric is listed with Figure 3 Prioritized Strategies with Detailed Scores Strategy Jobs People Easy and Regional Local Reduces Activity Strategy Total m of Concern Served served Safe Connections Transit Duplication Centers Cost Score MOD Service Improvements 2(2) 392,734(3) 24,978(3) High(3) Medium(2) High(3) Low(1) 16(2) $0(3) 22 Orange Alamance Conversion 2.13(2) 31,586(2) 16,375(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Low(1) High(3) 47(3) -$307,500(3) 21 to MOD Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 1.93(1) 256,691 (3) 86,670(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Low(1) High(3) 12(2) -$61,500(3) 20 1 Hill to Hill Consolidation(Full) 1.93(1) 256,691 (3) 86,670(3) High(3) High(3) Low(1) High(3) 12(2) $738,000(1) 20 MOD Service Span Expansion 2(2) 392,734(3) 24,978(3) Low(1) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 16(2) $1,228,775(1) 18 Rural Mobility Hubs* 2.5(3) 391 (1) 1,262(2) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 2(1) $111,758(2) 18 Hillsborough Circulator Service 2.2(2) 4,273(2) 6,350(2) Medium(2) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 16(2) $1,168,500(1) 17 Improvements Hillsborough Circulator 2.2(2) 4,273(2) 6,350(2) Low(1) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 16(2) $204,672(2) 17 Saturday Service Mebane Circulator 2.33(3) 3,461 (2) 7,122(2) Low(1) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 16(2) $338,250(1) 17 Demand Response Weekend Medium(2) Low(1) Medium Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium $92 078(2) 17 Service (2) (2) Improve Demand Response Medium(2) Low(1) Medium Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Low(1) Low cost(3) 17 Trip Booking (2) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4 Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Strategy Jobs People Easy and Regional Local Reduces Activity Strategy Total of Concern Served served Safe Connections Transit Duplication Centers Cost Score Mobility Manager Medium(2) Low(1) Medium High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Low(1) Medium(2) 17 Transit Information Campaign 1 (1) Low(1) High(3) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium High cost(1) 17 Bus Stop Improvements* 1.58(1) 1,363(2) 1,579(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 1 (1) $45,360(2) 17 Orange Alamance Service 2.36(3) 3,341 (2) 6,137(2) Low(1) Medium(2) Low(1) Low(1) 19(2) $184,500(2) 16 Expansion Discount MOD Fares High(3) Low(1) Medium Low(1) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Low(1) Medium(2) 16 Alternative Fare Payment Medium(2) Low(1) Low(1) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) Low(1) Low cost(3) 16 Walking Access to Transit* 1.69(1) 2,337(2) 2,931 (2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 3(1) $254,470(1) 16 Hillsborough Circulator US-70 2.2(2) 4,273(2) 6,827(2) Medium(2) Low(1) Medium(2) Low(1) 14(2) $1,107,000(1) 15 Proposal *The scores for Capital Improvement strategies were calculated based on the quantitative metrics of the individual project locations for each type,which are listed in detail in the following section. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5 Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation ORA RANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY 4 PRIORITIZED on materials and construction costs from national and regional sources, such as the Wake Bus Plan, and adjusted for inflation. CAPITAL PROJECTS Site specific considerations, such as existing infrastructure and property ownership, were taken into account after initial Within the three overarching Capital Improvement strategies, prioritization when creating the implementation plan. Once these there are multiple proposed project locations. Costs were projects move into design and implementation phases, costs will estimated for each type of capital project based on data collected be adjusted to meet location-specific needs. Figure 4 Prioritized Capital Projects with Detailed Scores Project Type and Location Communities Jobs People Easy and Regional Local Reduces Activity Strategy Total of Concern Served served Safe Connections Transit Duplication Centers Cost Score Walking Access to Transit: Faucette Mill Road/Cornelius Street 3(3) 256(2) 549(3) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $254,470(1) 19 Bus Stop Improvements: Mebane Community Park 0(1) 188.5(2) 267.5(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 1 (2) $45,360(3) 19 Bus Stop Improvements: Cornelius St/Rainey Ave 2.5(2) 183.5(2) 415(3) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $45,360(3) 19 Bus Stop Improvements:Orange Grove Rd 2.33(2) 48(1) 775(3) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $45,360(3) 19 Bus Stop Improvements: NC 86 Cornerstone Court 1.5(1) 943(3) 121 (2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $45,360(3) 19 Rural Mobility Hubs: Supper Club Blvd 3(3) 97(1) 531 (3) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 19 Walking Access to Transit: Mebane Food Lion 0(1) 129(2) 342(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 2(3) $254,470(1) 18 Rural Mobility Hubs: Fairview Park/Dorothy Johnson Community Center 4(3) 22(1) 127(2) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 18 Rural Mobility Hubs:NC Driver's License Office 2.67(2) 59(1) 145(2) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 1 (2) $111,758(2) 18 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Appendix B:Strategies Evaluation ORANGE COUN Y p p g SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Communities .. Project Type and Location of Concern Served served Safe Connections Transit Duplication Centers Cost Scorel _ _ Rural Mobility Hubs: Efland Hub 3(3) 22(1) 63(1) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 1 (2) $111,758(2) 18 Walking Access to Transit: Lakeshore Drive 2.67(2) 157(2) 300(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $254,470(1) 17 Walking Access to Transit: Orange Grove Rd 2.33(2) 34(1) 851 (3) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $254,470(1) 17 Walking Access to Transit: NC 86 Aldi 1.5(1) 681 (3) 223(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $254,470(1) 17 Walking Access to Transit: NC 86 Cornerstone Court 1.5(1) 930(3) 123(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $254,470(1) 17 Rural Mobility Hubs: Mebane Memorial Garden 3(3) 90(1) 35(1) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 17 Walking Access to Transit: Scotswood Blvd 1.5(1) 84(1) 329(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 1 (2) $254,470(1) 16 Rural Mobility Hubs: Efland- Cheeks Community Center 72(2) 7 22(1) 63(1) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 16 Rural Mobility Hubs: Cedar Grove Community Center 2.67(2) 1.7(1) 12(1) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 16 Rural Mobility Hubs: Orange High School 1 (1) 66(1) 216(2) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 16 Rural Mobility Hubs: Mebane Oaks Rd 2(2) 5.5(1) 23(1) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 16 Walking Access to Transit: Orange High School 1 (1) 66(1) 214(2) High(3) Low(1) High(3) Medium(2) 0(1) $254,470(1) 15 Rural Mobility Hubs: Dodsons Crossroads 1.5(1) 6(1) 47(1) High(3) Medium(2) Medium(2) Medium(2) 0(1) $111,758(2) 15 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 7 R•�l }1'5' 4� tiler r r.. I ,1 % r'� a •7.�. r• MkFqr + qj • ..yam:• •• - �ANSIT PLAN Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETROUN Table of Contents Page 1 Transit Funding................................................................................................................ 1 ShortRange Transit Plan Budget..............................................................................................................1 Additional Funding Opportunities............................................................................................................1 2 Implementation Plan by Strategy..................................................................................4 ProcessOverview.............................................................................................................................................4 TransitService Strategies..............................................................................................................................4 Policy and Program Strategies.................................................................................................................18 Capital Improvement Strategies..............................................................................................................24 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates i Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RRANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUN I Y 1 TRANSIT FUNDING FTA 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas are distributed through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). In FY2025, NCDOT has allocated OCTS $165,435 in 5311 funds, and SHORT RANGE TRANSIT the same amount is estimated for the following years. PLANBUDGET At the state level, OCTS receives Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) funds from NCDOT. In FY2023, OCTS was Public transportation in Orange County is funded by a variety of allocated $211,284, an amount estimated to remain the same federal, state, and local sources. Figure 1 shows the estimated throughout the SRTP period. budget for the SRTP fiscal years, based on existing funding and Locally, OCTS receives funding from the Orange County Transit conversations with different fiscal entities in the region. OCTS has Tax, with the budget for each year defined by the Orange County just under $4 million a year to maintain their existing services and Transit Plan and its Annual Work Program. Orange County also implement SRTP strategies. This budget provides a foundation for allocates money for OCTS in its annual budget. This amount what the SRTP can hope to achieve by FY2030, though each fluctuates each year, so the estimated amount for the SRTP is an budget source is subject to change. average of the FY2023 to FY2025 county budgets. Lastly, OCTS The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) allocates formula also receives a small amount of revenue from fares and charges funding for transit based on urbanized area and state, depending for services, which are not assumed to grow greatly from the on type of funds. OCTS receives 5307 Urbanized Area Formula FY2023 amount shown here. Grants for both the Durham and Burlington urbanized areas, and these amounts are determined through yearly split letters from ADDITIONAL FUNDING the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning OPPORTUNITIES Organization (DCHC MPO) and the Burlington-Graham Metropolitan Planning Organization (BGMPO). OCTS also receives Many of the SRTP strategies will require additional funding 5339 Bus and Bus Facilities Formula Grants through the DCHC beyond the above budget to implement. Shown in Figure 2 is a MPO split letter. For estimating the budget for the SRTP, 5307 non-exhaustive list of funding sources that OCTS can pursue to and 5339 funds from the FY2023 split letters are escalated by 2% increase its budget, though each opportunity has its own each year until FY2026, after which the amounts remain constant, requirements. since the current federal funding authorization expires in FY2026. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 1 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COON 11' Figure 1 Estimated Budget for SRTP Budget .urce I FY2026 T FY2027I 1 ' T FY2030 Federal 5307(DCHC MPO) $308,488 $308,488 $308,488 $308,488 $308,488 5307(BG MPO) $146,390 $146,390 $146,390 $146,390 $146,390 5339 $29,850 $29,850 $29,850 $29,850 $29,850 5311 $165,435 $165,435 $165,435 $165,435 $165,435 State ROAP $211,284 $211,284 $211,284 $211,284 $211,284 Local Orange County Transit Plan $1,315,446 $1,348,332 $1,382,040 $1,416,591 $1,452,006 Fares $27,610 $27,610 $27,610 $27,610 $27,610 Charges for Services $51,493 $51,493 $51,493 $51,493 $51,493 Local Government Funds $1,541,131 $1,541,131 $1,541,131 $1,541,131 $1,541,131 Total Budget $3,797,127 $3,830,013 $3,863,722 $3,898,273 $3,933,688 Figure 2 Potential Funding Opportunities Potential 5310 Operating NCDOT Demand Response 50% Local Match 5310 Mobility Manager NCDOT Mobility Manager New Staff or Job Description Combined Capital Funds NCDOT Technology Improvements Pre-award lead time Purchase of Service NCDOT Demand Response, MOD Coordinate with Departments of Social Services and Aging Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical DSS Demand Response Coordinate with Department of Social Services Transportation Orange County Transit Plan GoTriangle Fixed Route, MOD, Demand Response Adjust approved hourly rate for transit operations 5307 Urbanized Area DCHC MPO Capital Improvements Report passenger-miles traveled Regional Flexible Funding DCHC MPO Capital Improvements Next cycle FY2028-2030 Mobility Innovation Grants FTA MOD, Technology Improvements Discretionary Grant Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 2 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUN I N NCDOT administers a series of state and federal grants that OCTS the Orange County Transit Plan is less than the amount to can apply for. FTA 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and operate service. OCTS can work with GoTriangle and the Transit Individuals with Disabilities funds can be used for demand Plan partners to update the approved costs and potentially response service operations—with a 50% local match—or to hire increase funding for Transit Plan projects. a mobility manager. NCDOT's Combined Capital Funds can be DCHC MPO also has a series of grants that OCTS can apply for. used for capital purchases, such as improving technology, though Through its Regional Flexible Funding Program, for which the next applications for these funds are released every few years. OCTS funding cycle is FY2028 to FY2030, OCTS can secure funds for can also coordinate with the Department of Social Services (DSS) capital projects that improve access to transit. OCTS may also be and the Department of Aging to access funds from NCDOT able to unlock more 5307 funds if it were to report additional allocated to purchasing service for older adults and people with metrics (such as passenger-miles travelled) to the FTA. disabilities. The Department of Social Services also coordinates non-emergency medical transportation, which can be reimbursed Lastly, the FTA has many discretionary grants designed to help through Medicaid. OCTS can help DSS provide more of these trips fund capital improvement projects, pilot new technology, and and submit the required reimbursement documentation to other facets of operating a transit agency. Every few years, they receive additional funding. typically unveil a mobility innovation grant program, which can be Additionally, the operating cost per hour for OCTS services has used to fund microtransit and other new technologies. increased over the last few years, and the amount approved by Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3 Appendix C: Funding and implementation Plan ORA RRANG ETROUN�Y 2 IMPLEMENTATION TRANSIT SERVICE PLAN BY STRATEGY STRATEGIES Short Term projects should be implemented early in the SUP PROCESSOVERVIEW timeframe, and resources are available within the current known budget. Short term transit service strategies include: After evaluating all proposed strategies, as described in Appendix ■ Mobility on Demand Service Improvements B, projects were aligned with the projected budget for the Fiscal Year 2026 to 2030 period.Adjustments to the proposals were Discontinue Orange-Alamance Connector made as needed to fit the funding availability and technical ■ Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 1 considerations, such as availability of bus drivers. Not all ■ Mebane Circulator strategies could fit within the budget or timeframe, but those that . Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 1 scored highly in the evaluation are included in this document to guide future planning efforts. Medium Term projects should be implemented later in the SUP timeframe, and may require additional funding sources such as Additional funding sources were also identified and are tied to winning grant money. Medium term transit service strategies the strategies they could fund.As some of these are competitive include: grants, it is not guaranteed that the funding will be available for Demand Response Weekend Service the strategies. Long Term projects should be pursued after the SRTP timeframe ends, as funding is currently unavailable. Long term transit service strategies include: ■ Hillsborough Circulator Improvements Phase 2 ■ Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase 2 ■ MOD Service Span Expansion Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RRANG ETROUN7Y MOBILITY ON DEMAND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS Short Term Background: Orange County MOD is underused, given the potential demand within the service area. Microtransit is well suited for the density of much of Orange County and can provide the public with high-quality and low-cost transportation options for those who cannot or choose not to drive. PERSON Strategy Overview: Create zones for faster, cheaper trips within municipalities and �h consistent wait times for rural trips. The ability to book trips by making a phone call CASWELL will also be added. No changes to hours of service are proposed within the SRTP O timeframe. • Hillsborough-Mebane Zone: Shorter wait times within this zone Q --------------------- - O c O r • North and South Orange Zones: Dedicated vehicles for each zone to make sf°,eR° wait times more consistent • Southeast Zone: Trips cannot both start and end in this zone eunmgoon sh°w � neba„e Hillsba rough es • Cross-County: This zone will extend 10 miles out from the Orange County D,a„ern DU RNAN border, covering key rural and urban destinations in neighboring counties. 0 A LAMAN CE Ph Trips cannot both begin and end within this zone. � n D R.ANGE ' i Durham Existing Proposed � o Span of Service m „e� i 5• c m , E GreensbnrO Chapel NHs flu ��� � ° � m 9. Monday to Thursday 8 AM — 5 PM 8 AM — 5 PM y --------------- --------------------------------- Friday 8 AM —9 PM 8 AM —9 PM nnrrls°,Ile Mobility On Demand Service Area c H A7 H A M 0 Saturday 9 AM — 5 PM 9 AM — 5 PM hnropg Nebane Znne O Dary C7 north Orange Zone Q O WAKE G South Orange Zone Southeast Orange Zone Q A o P Crass-County Zone uergn counryrvbuc irwfl o a.n snnes Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RRANG ETROUN7Y MOBILITY ON DEMAND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS (CONT.) Funding sources: Federal formula funds, fare revenue, local government funds Project Phase I Annual Revenue Hours � Fiscal Year i26 � Fiscal Year 2027 Fiscal Year 2028 Fiscal Year 2029ii Phase 1 7,144 $842,099.00 - - Phase 2 11,466 $1,385,343.62 $1,419,977.21 $1,455,476.64 $1,491,863.56 Implementation steps: 1. Work with technology vendor to implement zones 2. Update website to include: a. Zone and service area map b. Wait time information c. Call-in number for phone booking 3. Phase in additional vehicles, per table below Monday to Friday Saturday 8 AM to i AM 10 Phase 1 2 Vehicles 3 Vehicles 2 Vehicles 2 Vehicles ■ 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane ■ 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane ■ 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane and ■ 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane and and North Orange ■ 1 for North Orange North Orange North Orange ■ 1 for South and Southeast . 1 for South and Southeast • 1 for South and Southeast ■ 1 for South and Southeast Orange Orange Orange Orange Phase 2 3 Vehicles 5 Vehicles 3 Vehicles 3 Vehicles • 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane • 2 for Hillsborough-Mebane ■ 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane • 1 for Hillsborough-Mebane ■ 1 for North Orange ■ 1 North Orange ■ 1 for North Orange ■ 1 for North Orange ■ 1 for South and Southeast • 1 for South and Southeast ■ 1 for South and Southeast ■ 1 for South and Southeast Orange Orange Orange Orange ■ 1 floating/unassigned Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETROUN7Y DISCONTINUE ORANGE-ALAMANCE CONNECTOR Short Term Background: The Orange-Alamance Connector is a low ridership route that offers redundant service with the GoTriangle Orange-Durham Express (ODX). The rider base of this route is likely better served by on-demand service zones, since they will have more direct access to destinations. Strategy Overview: Formalize the elimination of the Orange-Alamance Connector and reinvest the resources into other transit service projects. With the improved MOD service zones, residents along the Mebane-Hillsborough corridor will still have access to transportation service, as well as continued service from the GoTriangle ODX during peak hours, the new Mebane Circulator, and improved Hillsborough Circulator. Existing Proposed h^ m Span of Service Monday to Friday 10 AM — 3 PM - W ORANGE Frequency ____- Monday to Friday 60 minutes b Meh- a Eflaad 4o Hillsborough say' os I \cape B5 ALAMANCE f t ,ie o� e HI&-borough-Mebane Corridor DiK,t1n,a0teoge•Aiamanea Conoe —c1,esa ooxlPaex-omrl ° G Nniaho—gh-nehane MDUZene �Nortn Oreoge nOD Zone Southo—p Moo Zen. c,ossc...ty m0DZo Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 7 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETROUN7Y DISCONTINUE ORANGE-ALAMANCE CONNECTOR (CONT.) Funding sources: This project does not require funding. Savings from this project can be used to support the operation of the Mebane Circulator. Project Phase I Annual Revenue Hours � Fiscal Year 06 � Fiscal Year 2027 Fiscal Year 202809 Fiscal Year 2030 Existing 2,500 - - - - - Proposal 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Implementation steps: 1. Inform residents and riders of proposed service change through processes defined in OCTS's Title VI Plan. 2. Place signage at existing Orange-Alamance Connector stops to notify riders of service change and provide information on other services along the corridor, including MOD. 3. Remove Orange-Alamance Connector from website and provide information on available alternatives for residents along the corridor, including MOD. 4. Use funds for other approved transit operating costs. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 8 109 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA DUNG ECROUN7Y HILLSBOROUGH CIRCULATOR IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 Short Term Background: The Hillsborough Circulator is the highest ridership OCTS route and is the primary option for Hillsborough residents to travel between key destinations in the town without a car. The route often runs eoke Rd behind schedule, as it takes approximately 60 minutes to complete one trip and it runs every hour. The Hillsborough Circulator also only runs in one direction, � �. making residents ride the full loop, even if they only need to get to the stop R° i—� before they board. Strategy Overview: Create an improved Hillsborough Circulator service that is �_�arn4�as•st\ more efficient, on-time, and frequent. The improved service will be split into ' 1 " w Hsi�m d as two separate routes, Hillsborough Circulator A and Hillsborough Circulator B. SaP ■ Reduce route deviations at Rainey Ave (Fairview Park), Orange Grove `'timers` W-Tr.Y°nst 3` L�W Winq.St� Road, and Scotswood Road (Food Lion) to improve schedule reliability Hillsborough 70 by decreasing the running time. ■ Split route into two patterns, which can both run in under 45 minutes per cycle. ga ■ Expand the service hours and increase frequency of both routes. 95 3 Existing Proposed Qa 85 Span of Service Cektlaie.Or o Monday to Friday 7 AM — 5 PM 6:30 AM —6:30 PM 2 4" Frequency f Monday to Friday 60 minutes 45 minutes XIIlstrorough Ciroulator P Proposed Imp—ments ZProposed Hillsborough Circulator A ProposeG Hillsborough Circulator 8 Current Hillsborough Circulator One Sources:01n9e County NMI T—It �Snnee O Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 9 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan OR 4NPG ETROUN�� HILLSBOROUGH CIRCULATOR IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 1 (CONT.) Funding sources: Existing Transit Plan funds, federal formula funds, local government funds. 2026Project Phase I Annual Revenue Hours � Fiscal Year � Fiscal Year 2027 Fiscal Year 2028 Fiscal Year 2029 Fiscal Year 2030 Existing 2,500 - - - - Proposal 5,750 $724,931.25 $743,054.53 $761,630.89 $780,671.67 $800,188.46 Implementation steps: 1. Inform residents and riders of proposed service change through processes defined in OCTS's Title VI Plan. 2. Update bus stop signs, install new signs and new stops where needed. 3. Notify residents and riders of upcoming service change through updating the website, a social media campaign, signage at bus stops and key activity centers, and communications through partner organizations. 4. Implement route and schedule changes. 5. Apply for capital grants for bus stop improvements. 6. Continue upgrading bus stops and communicating changes. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 10 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RNNG COUNTY MEBANE CIRCULATOR Short Term Background: The City of Mebane has planned to establish a local bus route, which will take place in the form of a circulator that serves key destinations throughout Mebane. The Orange-Alamance Connector currently serves Mebane, which provides Mebane connections to Hillsborough and other localities via route transfer. Mebane Circulator Proposed Alignment Strategy Overview: Implement the Mebane Circulator as adopted in the �SPV°PoedMe bane C^ccayon�anP �'F liie Mebane Comprehensive Transportation Plan and the BGMPO Metropolitan Transportation Plan.The Mebane Circulator will run every 60 minutes from 7 AM —6 PM on Monday through Friday and will not initially offer weekend service. �Sf = k'Hvf!y'� z ExistingProposed Noftis Melfane e� Span of Service y` f� Monday to Friday - 7 AM —6 PM Frequency Monday to Friday - 60 minutes y y 60 5 Sf4S` d �J � n 0 015 0-3 Miles'•n: Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 11 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA P-04G ECROUN�Y MEBANE CIRCULATOR (CONT.) Funding sources: Existing Transit Plan funds, federal formula funds, local government funds. Project Phase Annual Revenue Hours Fiscal Year 06 Fiscal Year 2027i i9 Fiscal Year 2030 Proposal 2,750 $346,706.25 $355,373.91 $364,258.25 $373,364.71 $382,698.83 Implementation steps: 7. Inform residents and riders of proposed service change through processes defined in OCTS's Title VI Plan. 8. Install bus stop signs at new stops locations. 9. Notify residents and riders of upcoming new service through updating the website, a social media campaign, signage at bus stops and key activity centers, and communications through partner organizations. 10. Implement new route. 11. Apply for capital grants for bus stop improvements. 12. Continue upgrading bus stops and communicating changes. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 12 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETROUN7Y HILL TO HILL CONSOLIDATION PHASE 1 Short Term Background: The Orange-Chapel Hill Connector provides midday and local coverage between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, while GoTriangle Route 420 operates during the peak commute hours only and with fewer local stops. The similar but still deviating route patterns can confuse riders, and there is some service redundancy in the current schedule. ;,off •:,-- St�a,�="° Strategy Overview: When GoTriangle shifts Route 420 to run on Highway 40 - after the completion of construction, the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector will also shift to match the alignment of Route 420 exactly, with the same stops. Local 4° Hillsborough connections in Hillsborough can be made to both Hillsborough Circulator loops. This Phase does not fully consolidate the two routes, and rather focuses on }� War 65 running them along the same route pattern and to be less redundant, allowing for full consolidation in the future. o° tr.a Existing OCH Proposed OCH ce ae Span of Service ORANGE 40 nt Sinai Ra Monday to Friday 8:30 AM —4:30 PM 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM 66 Frequency Eubanks Eu0anks ftd Monday to Friday 60 minutes 60 minutes 0 NOmeae 66 s, DURHAM Chapel Hill s _ Hill to Hill Consolidation Phase l 6FraoNtro Sol Carrboro —Proposed Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Rars�9h —Future GOTri,r Ie R,,te420(Peak Only) Rtl -•Currenti)—p-Chapel Hill Connector 54 ex0enge Uunry VUEYcimpi,Goirlargle �n I�w'�I 4� v Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 13 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETROUNg HILL TO HILL CONSOLIDATION PHASE 1 (CONT.) Funding sources: This strategy provides some cost savings that can be used to cover increased costs due to inflation. Project Phase Annual Revenue Hours � Fiscal Year i26 � Fiscal Year 2027 Fiscal Year 2028i i0 Existing 4,000 $504,300.00 Proposal 3,500 $452,294.06 $463,601.41 $475,191.45 $487,071.24 Implementation steps: 1. Inform residents and riders of proposed service change through processes defined in OCTS's Title VI Plan. 2. Update bus stop signage along corridor 3. Notify residents and riders of upcoming service change through updating the website, a social media campaign, signage at bus stops and key activity centers, and communications through partner organizations. 4. Implement route and span changes at the same time as the alignment change to GoTriangle Route 420. a. First trip: Chapel Hill to Hillsborough 8:30 AM, Hillsborough to Chapel Hill 9:30 AM b. Last trip: Chapel Hill to Hillsborough 2:30 PM, Hillsborough to Chapel Hill 3:30 PM 5. Update online and print materials for both routes to reference each other. 6. Work with UNC to fully incorporate OCTS into student and worker transit pass programs. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 14 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA P-04G EC ROUN7Y DEMAND RESPONSE WEEKEND SERVICE Medium Term Background: Program-based demand response riders are not peak-oriented, and many riders use it to get to non-work destinations. Currently, hours on Saturday are limited and not clearly defined, and no service is offered on Sunday. This limits the types of medical trips that OCTS can provide, restricting the agency from potential funding sources. Strategy Overview: Operate program-based demand response services from 9 AM to 5 PM on both Saturdays and Sundays. ProposedExisting Span of Service Monday to Friday 8 AM — 5 PM 8 AM — 5 PM Saturday "Limited" 9 AM — 5 PM Sunday - 9 AM — 5 PM Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 15 02 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA P-04G EC ROUN7Y DEMAND RESPONSE WEEKEND SERVICE (CONT.) Funding sources: Existing Transit Plan funds, federal formula funds, local government funds. 2026Project Phase I Annual Revenue Hours � Fiscal Year � Fiscal Year 2027 Fiscal Year 2028 Fiscal Year 2029 Fiscal Year 2030 Existing 8,836 $1,032,486.60 $1,058,298.77 - - Proposal 9,644 $1,183,913.95 $1,213,511.80 $1,243,849.60 *Weekend annual revenue hours and cost estimates are based on historical ridership and trip purpose trends Implementation steps: 1. Supplement current demand response funding sources. a. Leverage 5310 operating funds with 50% local match for currently operating Demand Response service. b. Work with Department of Social Services and Department of Aging to purchase trips with a smaller local match. c. Improve Medicaid reimbursement for currently operating trips. 2. Determine if funding levels are adequate for implementation of weekend service in following fiscal year. 3. Begin hiring additional drivers for service expansion. 4. Inform residents and riders of proposed service change through processes defined in OCTS's Title VI Plan. 5. Implement changes, with clear hours on website and advertisement through partner departments. 6. Seek out additional Non-Emergency Medical Transportation funding options now available due to provision of Sunday service. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 16 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNTY LONG-TERM STRATEGIES REINSTATE UPDATED ORANGE- ALAMANCE CONNECTOR HILLSBOROUGH CIRCULATOR Background: While the Orange-Alamance Connector has IMPROVEMENTS PHASE 2 generated low ridership during its operation, existing conditions and public engagement reflected the demand for connections Background: After the Hillsborough Circulator has been split into between Mebane and Hillsborough. The route has a long travel two routes, increasing and improving the service is necessary. time and short span, limiting its potential for success. Density Transit demand during the peak hours is not necessarily much along the corridor is currently low, but residential, commercial, higher than it is during the off-peak hours, and there are a lot of and industrial developments are underway and may drive riders that utilize the service for running errands. demand for transit in the future. Strategy Overview: Implement Saturday service, which will have Strategy Overview: Bring back a modified version of the Orange- 9 AM — 5 PM spans with buses every 30 minutes. In addition, Alamance Connector that runs bi-directionally on Highway 70, Monday through Friday will have spans from 6:30 AM —6:30 PM with connections at Mebane Cone Health Park and Ride and the and buses every 30 minutes. Hillsborough Walmart. With the proposed alignment change of the GoTriangle ODX to improve travel times to Durham and less HILL TO HILL CONSOLIDATION PHASE 2 focus on serving local stops, run the Orange-Alamance Connector Background: After operating the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector all day, matching the hours of the circulator routes. and GoTriangle Route 420 with more coordination and reduced redundancy, service levels can be improved through full MOD SERVICE SPAN EXPANSION consolidation of the two routes. Background: In conjunction with the expended MOD service Strategy Overview: Fully consolidate the Orange-Chapel Hill zones that are part of the short-term strategies, MOD service Connector with GoTriangle Route 420 along the Highway 40 hours should be expanded to adequately serve the riders of alignment. Peak operation of the route will require three 40' Orange County, as there is local transit demand for services buses to accommodate ridership demand and maintain outside traditional commuting windows. frequency.The service will run from Monday— Friday 6 AM —7 Strategy Overview: Service hours will be expanded on all days of PM with peak frequencies of 30 minutes and midday frequencies the week and Sunday service will be implemented. Service will run of 60 minutes. Monday to Friday 8 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday 9 AM to 8 PM. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 17 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNTY POLICY AND PROGRAM STRATEGIES Short Term recommended policies or programs that OCTS could implement in the early years of the SUP with currently available administrative funding include: ■ Alternative Fare Payment ■ Transit Information Campaign ■ Improve Demand Response Booking Medium Term policies or programs that require OCTS to apply for additional funds include: ■ Hire Mobility Manager ■ Conduct Fare Study Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 18 05 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA P-04G EC ROUN7Y ALTERNATIVE FARE PAYMENT Short Term Background: MOD and Orange-Chapel Hill Connector vehicles are not able to take cash as fare payment, which can create barriers for people without easy access to mobile banking. OCTS fares are also not integrated with other regional providers, such as GoTriangle. Strategy Overview: Provide cash loading options for fare payment cards to better serve people with limited banking or smartphone access, and work to integrate with other transit agencies in the region that utilize UMO Pass. Funding Sources: Cost neutral, requires staff time Implementation Steps: 1. Continue ongoing conversations with UMO for cash purchase options at Food Lion 2. Add cash loading options at more locations, including the INCOM chain of retailers 3. During the next contract renewal for fare payment technology, update the contract to include Orange County as part of the same region as GoTriangle and GoRaleigh to allow for better fare integration. Also work with UNC to integrate OCTS services into their student and worker transit programs. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 19 06 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RRANG ETROUN7Y TRANSIT INFORMATION CAMPAIGN Short Term Background: Many Orange County residents do not fully understand how to ride transit and what their transit options are. The transit information campaign would cover fixed routes, mobility on-demand, and ADA services. Strategy Overview: The promotional campaign would provide information on services, their destinations, how to use each service, and other information that is relevant to the service. On-demand service would be a key focus, specifically around the expanded service zones and where they cover, and how to book trips would be the main emphasis. Improving the availability of transit information is an additional component of the transit information campaign. Improving the available information about the transit system could include the publishing of real-time travel information using live GTFS publishing. Funding Sources: Administrative staff time within existing budget, limited advertising costs Implementation steps: 1. Publish live GTFS to Google Maps and Transit App to improve real-time information for existing transit riders 2. Plan and execute promotional campaign, recommended in Fiscal Year 2027. Components of the campaign should include: a. Updates to the OCTS website and online information —ensuring clear, accurate, and consistent information that is easy to find b. Development of transit information posters and fliers c. Partnerships with local governments, regional and local stakeholders, and other Orange County departments to help share information about transit services d. Holding pop-up events and information sessions at key community destinations Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 20 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA DUNG EC ROUN7Y IMPROVE DEMAND RESPONSE BOOKING Short Term Background: Riders expressed confusion about how to book demand response trips during public feedback opportunities. Most of the confusion came around how and where to book trips—online, over phone, by app—and the application process.Additionally, the Medicaid reimbursement process can be improved, to make it easier for OCTS to submit for reimbursement. Strategy Overview: Ensuring the demand response application process is streamlined so that prospective riders are able to book services more quickly is one of the first steps. This streamlined application process will be simpler and quicker for applicants. This process is already underway at OCPT. This streamlined process will include implementing additional, to be determined, measures that will help OCTS submit for Medicaid reimbursement. Funding Sources: Administrative staff time within existing budget, potential for grant support from Combined Capital Funds; improved Medicaid reimbursement would free up additional funds after implementation. Implementation Steps: 1. Grant application: Combined Capital Funds for Technology Improvement 2. Implement changes, potentially under purview of Mobility Manager 3. Submit eligible rides for Medicaid reimbursement on an ongoing basis Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 21 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNT HIRE A MOBILITY MANAGER Medium Term Background: Orange County currently has a Mobility Manager role that is run through the Department of Aging and focuses solely on outreach to older adults and assisting with their transportation. However, Orange County could use a Mobility Manager that covers on- demand services, in addition to the role within the Department of Aging. Strategy Overview: Create a new Mobility Manager position that has a wider focus, one covering the management of all information and travel training needs for on-demand services. This person would oversee the application process for on-demand services and would be the primary contact for anything on-demand related in Orange County. This role could continue to be funded through 5310 grant funds, but the funds from this grant do not sufficiently cover the cost of an increased role. Other grants could provide the necessary funding to implement this new position. Funding Sources: NCDOT Mobility Management Funds Implementation Steps: 1. Grant application: NCDOT Mobility Management Funds 2. Prepare for hiring process so funds can be used immediately upon start of grant 3. Hire for Mobility Manager position 4. Initial projects for the position may include: a. Improve Demand Response trip booking b. Coordinating service provision with DSS and Department of Aging to leverage federal matching funds c. Travel Training program Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 22 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RNNG COUNTY CONDUCT FARE STUDY Medium Term Background: Fare costs vary across agencies and modes in Orange County and can sometimes act as a barrier to transit access. There is interest from the public and key stakeholders to explore the viability of free or reduced fares for the different types of transit services in Orange County. Strategy Overview: The fare study would cover each individual mode, including fixed route and on-demand. The potentiality for reduced MOD fares will be studied to determine if OCPT could provide the same level of service and continue to make improvements with decreased fare revenue. The viability of fare-free fixed route service will also be studied on a route-by-route basis. With reduced fares, it is important that OCPT will have enough funds to continue future planning efforts. Funding Sources: 5303 Metropolitan Planning & 5305 Non-Metropolitan Transportation Planning formula funds Implementation Steps: 1. Apply for pass-through planning funding from NCDOT and MPOs 2. Conduct fare study, including potential funding sources for discount fares and fare-free service 3. Implement fare changes as recommended by study Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 23 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNII' CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES Each capital improvement strategy represents a type of capital project with multiple locations recommended for each type. These strategies do not include capital projects that are required for basic operation of the transit service strategies, such as new bus stops for new services. Site locations were prioritized into medium and long term based on the evaluation matrix, inclusion of the projects in other adopted plans, and existing infrastructure at each site. The three types of capital improvement strategies include: ■ Bus Stop Improvements ■ Rural Mobility Hubs ■ Walking Access to Transit Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 24 111 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNTY BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS Background: Bus stop improvements are an effective way to improve transit experience for riders. Bus stop improvements include various amenities, such as shelters or benches, and can be paired with capital improvement strategies on walking access to transit. Bus stops that have high ridership are often the targets of bus stop improvements since more riders will benefit from the improvements. Strategy Overview: Upgrades to existing bus stops, including amenities like a shelter, bench, passenger information, ADA upgrades, or establishing a new physical stop where passengers are currently boarding and alighting without any infrastructure. Medium Term Bus Stop Improvements d'`r o� ■ Mebane Community Park Proposed Locations st°re Rry ■ Cornelius St/Rainey Ave Q Bus Stop Improvement Cedar Grove m —■ Orange Grove Road Hillsborough CirculatorA as 3 — H Ra ■ NC 86 Cornerstone Court Hillsborough Circulator B Mebane Circulator c� Data Sources:Orange County Public Transit, J City of Mebane n Lebanon Rd Mebane; 70 . t, 1 Efland `\ Miles 46 Hillsborough 1 i OA n iP;Ak Buckhorn Example of Improved Bus Stop Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 25 112 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS (CONT.) Funding sources: Formula funds, state funding, federal grants Amenity Cost Estimate, FY25 Dollars Sidewalk $2,100 Curb and Gutter upgrades $12,150 Bus Stop Signage $850 Solar Lighting Kit&Post $2,500 ROW Easement Acquisition(Average) $11,100 Maps and cases $5,725 Trash Can(single bin, concrete mounted) $855 Standard Shelter with Bench $9,720 Total $45,000 *Estimates include engineering costs and contingencies, and are based 2022 Wake Bus Plan capital estimates, adjusted for inflation Implementation steps: 1. Begin recording and reporting passenger miles travelled to unlock additional formula funding through 5307 Urbanized Area formula funds that can be used for capital improvements 2. Annually submit projects for state plan funding a. NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Funding b. NCDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funding 3. Apply for TPM Bus and Bus Facility Grant Program for bus stop enhancements where low- and no-emission vehicles are operated Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 26 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNTY RURAL TRANSIT HUBS Background: Rural transit hubs are an effective way to improve the transit experience for residents of rural areas who may not have a large stop or transit hub nearby. These transit hubs are intended for low-density areas that are within MOD zones. Residents in rural areas may not be as familiar with transit options, so having a place where additional information can be provided is useful for rider understanding of the system and service options. Rural Transit Hubs 011, 0 0° Strategy Overview: Locations in lower-density areas of Orange County Proposed Locations SfOreRq with information on booking MOD rides and space to wait.Amenities A Rural Transit Hub Cedar Grove es �m — Hi llsborough Circulator A include bench, shelter, and informational signage. _ Hillsborough Circulator A 0a Mebane Circulator c MediumTerm neso�es:nrsn9ecouncyP.er.rransa U ■ Efland-Cheeks Community Center Leban on Rd • NC Driver's License Office a ■ Efland Hub Mebane; 08 0 0 0 0 EflandO 0 ■ Supper Club Blvd Miles 40 Hillsborough ■ Cedar Grove Community Center ,oA �a Long Term Buckhorn ■ Fairview Park/Dorothy Johnson Community Center o ae�a C,rJ`cr ■ Mebane Memorial Garden ■ Orange High School ■ NC 54/Mebane Oaks Road Eubanks a 0 ■ White Cross Hub ay e f°beksRd V� H c Fea .a Calvander stead R O a� en 'A 0i 4 `NJ o 1 i 2M11- white Cross 54 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 27 114 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNTY i r- 1 Example of Rural Transit Hub Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 28 Appendix C: Funding and implementation Plan ORA DUNG ECROUNTY RURAL TRANSIT HUBS (CONT.) Funding sources: Formula funds, state funding, federal grants Amenity Cost Estimate, FY25 Dollars Sidewalk $9,225 Curb and Gutter upgrades $50,000 ADA curb cut&ramp $2,150 Crosswalk pavement markings $3,250 Bus Stop Signage $850 Solar Lighting Kit&Post $2,500 Site survey&design $11,100 Maps and cases $5,725 Trash Can(single bin, concrete mounted) $850 Bike Rack $550 Enhanced Shelter with bench,charger, lighting $23,800 Total $110,000 *Estimates include engineering costs and contingencies, and are based 2022 Wake Bus Plan capital estimates, adjusted for inflation Implementation steps: 1. Begin recording and reporting passenger miles travelled to unlock additional formula funding through 5307 Urbanized Area formula funds that can be used for capital improvements 2. Annually submit projects for state plan funding a. NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Funding b. NCDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funding 3. Apply for TPM Bus and Bus Facility Grant Program for bus stop enhancements where low- and no-emission vehicles are operated Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 29 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan SHSHORT RANG COUNh WALKING ACCESS TO TRANSIT Background: For local services, transit riders typically walk between the bus stop and their home or final destination. Unsafe walking conditions can discourage transit use and limit the number of people orjobs accessible within the typical "walking distance" of a transit stop. Improving these walking conditions can help increase transit ridership and improve the safety of those traveling. Strategy Overview: Improve access to bus stops with pedestrian improvements such as sidewalks, safe crossings, and ADA upgrades. Medium Term U- Faucette Mill Road/Cornelius Street Walking Access to Transit �°�'r e ■ Proposed Locations Store R ■ NC 86 Aldi Walking Access to Transit Cedar Grove ■ Orange Grove Rd — Hillsborough Circula#orA ■ Mebane Food Lion Hillsborough Circulator B Mebane Circulator Long Term Q- Data Sources:Orange County Public Transit ■ N Scotswood Blvd (access to US sa 70/Food Lion stop) ■ NC 86 Cornerstone Court Lebanon Rd rt ■ Orange High School 0 Zba ao a° Miles �0 Efland Hillsborough i OA AN) ° 11e, Buckhorn Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 30 117 Appendix C: Funding and Implementation Plan ORA RANG ETROUNTY WALKING ACCESS TO TRANSIT (CONT.) Funding sources: Formula funds, state funding, federal grants Amenity Cost Estimate, FY25 Dollars Sidewalk $37,000 Curb and Gutter upgrades $200,000 Crosswalk pavement markings $3,250 Total $240,250 *Estimates include engineering costs and contingencies, and are based 2022 Wake Bus Plan capital estimates, adjusted for inflation Implementation steps: 1. Begin recording and reporting passenger miles travelled to unlock additional formula funding through 5307 Urbanized Area formula funds that can be used for capital improvements 2. Annually submit projects for state plan funding a. NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Funding b. NCDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funding 3. Apply for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grants for pedestrian safety projects within the Town of Hillsborough 4. Coordinate with Safe Routes to School and other pedestrian safety plans to prioritize and pool resources where possible 5. Apply through DCHC MPO for Regional Flexible Funding, a series of federal funds that can be used for access to transit, with the next cycle of funding available for FY28-30 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 31 118 ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Appendix D: Public Engagement September 2024 ,�.{�G1PArypA• a� NELSON NYGAARD ' xr � Ya .h� sr ' •r i, Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNTY Table of Contents Page 1 Phase 1 Overview.............................................................................................................2 ParticipationDemographics........................................................................................................................2 KeyFindings.......................................................................................................................................................3 Recommendations for Future Engagement..........................................................................................3 Tacticsand Tools.............................................................................................................................................3 AdvertisingMethods......................................................................................................................................5 2 Phase 1 findings............................................................................................................... 6 PopUp Events...................................................................................................................................................6 PollingBoards...................................................................................................................................................7 SurveySummary..............................................................................................................................................8 3 Phase 2 Overview........................................................................................................... 12 ParticipationDemographics......................................................................................................................12 KeyFindings.....................................................................................................................................................12 Tacticsand tools............................................................................................................................................13 AdvertisingMethods....................................................................................................................................13 4 Phase 2 Findings............................................................................................................ 15 PopUp Events.................................................................................................................................................15 SurveyResults.................................................................................................................................................15 Appendix D-1: Outreach locations....................................................................................... 17 Appendix D-2: Phase 1 Polling Board Comments.............................................................. 18 Appendix D-3: Phase 2 Survey Comments..........................................................................21 Appendix D-4: Engagement Materials................................................................................25 Phase1 Materials...........................................................................................................................................25 Phase2 Materials...........................................................................................................................................31 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETROUNTNN 1 PHASE 1 OVERVIEW disabilities. Data shows that these individuals comprise a significant share of Orange County's population (see Table 1). The Orange County Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) will identify The project team developed tactics, tools, and outreach methods opportunities to improve transit services in Orange County, NC designed to include these groups given the importance of their and create an implementation plan for 2025 to 2030. The first input. Specific goals of this engagement phase included obtaining phase of engagement for the plan took place from March 4, 2024, feedback on desired areas of improved transit, the types of to March 31, 2024. service improvements throughout Orange County, and identifying Table 1 —Orange County Demographics desired travel times throughout the day. Demographic GroupOrange Total Population 146,354 PARTICIPATION White 75.2% DEMOGRAPHICS Black/African American 11.2% The survey included optional questions about participants' American Indian/Alaska Native 0.5% demographic backgrounds. These questions had response rates Asian 7.9% ranging from 80 percent (zip code) to 86 percent (age). Overall, Two or More Races 3.6% ■ 76 percent of participants identified as white Hispanic/Latino 8.5% ■ 68 percent were women Limited English Proficiency 5.1% 0 71 percent were 45 or older Disabled 8.4% ■ 41 percent had annual household incomes of $75,000 or Annual Household Income Less than 30.4% more $50,000 ■ 12 percent reported having a disability Target audiences included transit riders, Orange County residents, . 91 percent speak English very well traditionally underserved communities (both riders and non- 58 percent of participants lived in the 27278 or 27516 zip riders), and other community stakeholders. Traditionally, transit codes riders disproportionately include disadvantaged populations, including racial minorities, non-native English-speaking 37 percent have access to one car, and 57 percent have individuals, individuals with low incomes, and individuals with access to more than one car. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 2 121 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNTY KEY FINDINGS Orange County) and limited English proficiency (8 percent compared to 5 percent in Orange County). However, participation Participants desire improvements in transit services, including fell short of reaching Orange County demographics in reaching reliability, frequency, extended coverage, on-demand options, some minority groups including those who identify as Asian (2 and accessible information such as real-time tracking apps. percent compared to 8 percent in Orange County and Additionally, they emphasized the importance of improving Hispanic/Latino (5 percent compared to over 8 percent in Orange access to public transit through facilities like park and ride County); as well as residents with annual household incomes facilities, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure. under $50,000 (24 percent compared to over 30 percent in Among participants without access to a car and those with Orange County). disabilities, 60 percent expressed the importance of on-demand While the engagement was successful in attracting a broad range transit services. For those with limited car access, over 60 percent of opinions and ideas from diverse audiences, there are some mentioned the significance of easy access to accurate and clear lessons learned from the demographic analysis and engagement transit service information. Seventy-three (73) percent of process that include: participants with disabilities also want easy access to transit . Pop-up events at transit centers and bus stops help create service information. Additionally, 67 percent of participants with awareness and collect input from transit riders from all access to at least two cars were more likely to prioritize targeted demographic backgrounds. scheduled, fixed routes over other types of improvements. ■ Future engagement should consider more ways to reach RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ENGAGEMENT residents with incomes below $75,000 and those under 30 When comparing Phase 1 survey participants' demographics to years of age, like incentivizing participation. Orange County demographics, participants were generally representative of Orange County residents. Survey participants exceeded Orange County demographic percentages in the TACTICS AND TOOLS following categories: disability (12 percent compared to 8 percent in Orange County), gender identity (68 percent women compared The following activities were conducted to engage and gather to 52 percent in Orange County), age (46 percent aged 65 and feedback from residents and stakeholders during Phase 1. older compared to 14 percent in Orange County), race (76 percent white compared to 75 percent in Orange County; 12 percent Black/African American compared to 11 percent in Orange County), zero car households (6 percent compared to 4 in Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 3 122 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNTY Pop-Up Events Presentations The project team held a series of six (6) pop-ups at bus shelters, The project team also conducted presentations with community community centers, and community events across Orange County boards and commissions to introduce the project and collect between March 18, 2024, and March 23, 2024. These events feedback. Presentations were given to the following groups provided transit riders and residents an opportunity to learn during their regularly scheduled meetings: about the project and to provide feedback. Pop-ups were ■ Orange County Transportation Board Meeting conducted at different times of the day at the following locations: ■ Mebane Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission (BPAC) ■ Hillsborough Walmart Meeting ■ Seymour Center ■ Passmore Center Polling Boards ■ Durham Tech OC Campus Park and Ride Standalone polling boards featuring project details and simple ■ UNC Health Care Hillsborough Campus questions were placed in transit shelters at six (6) key bus stops in ■ Downtown Mebane Eggstravaganza and Bunny Hop Orange County. The aim was to engage transit riders directly and Each event included an informational board showing existing gather their feedback on the project at their convenience. Each transit service and a polling board to collect participant feedback. board included a QR code and link to the project website to Paper surveys were provided to collect feedback from encourage participants to take the online survey.A full list of participants, which included a link to complete it online should polling board locations can be found in Appendix A. the participant wish to take it later. All Information was made available in both English and Spanish.A list of pop-up events and Survey their dates, locations, and times is included in Appendix A. A short survey was developed to collect feedback on transit Near the end of the engagement phase, Orange County improvements and usage.The survey was distributed both online Transportation Services held an additional event at Cedar Grove and in print form in English and Spanish to Orange County Community Center where community members filled out paper stakeholders and 13 community centers, libraries, and surveys. apartments. The survey was conducted from March 4 to March 31, 2024. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 4 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA�G ECROUNTNY ADVERTISING METHODS The following communication methods were used to inform the public and encourage participation in Phase 1 engagement activities: Project Website A website was developed to share information and materials about the Orange County SUP project including project and plan overviews, phase 1 engagement activities, and link to the online survey. Email Campaigns and Social Media The project team worked with plan partners to promote Phase 1 activities and engagement opportunities via email and social media. A media kit, including a digital flyer, social media graphics, newsletter copy, and email content was created in English and Spanish and shared with stakeholders and agency partners to distribute through their communication channels. The media kit was also distributed to 50 community organizations in Orange County. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 5 124 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNTY 2 PHASE 1 FINDINGS bikes. There were suggestions for the addition of extra lanes for cars in downtown Mebane. Improved communication regarding A summary of attendees' comments received during the in- buses and real-time updates was also mentioned. person Phase 1 engagement activities is provided below. It was suggested that the project team should communicate with the Orange County Reentry Council to discuss enhancing transit POP UP EVENTS accessibility to job opportunities, especially those in the industrial sector with varying shift times. Additionally, residents have At each in-person pop-up event, attendees were encouraged to expressed interest in a Mebane circulator to foster better share their thoughts using sticky notes on a polling board or connections between Hillsborough and Mebane, coupled with the provide written feedback by completing a paper survey.A total of installation of bike racks on any new transit services within 105 responses were collected via the polling boards. For more Mebane. details on the total number of stickers received for each question and response option, please see Appendix B. Below is a summary Question 2: What type of transit service of comments received. improvements would you like to see in Question 1: Where would you like to see Orange County? (34 total stickers) better transit services? (42 total stickers) In response to improving transit services in Orange County, Residents expressed their desire for enhanced transit services, various suggestions were made to meet the community's needs especially to Hillsborough and Cedar Grove. They would like and enhance accessibility. One suggestion was to increase the improved transportation options to key destinations such as frequency of transit services and offer better on-demand options, Eubanks Park and Ride and the new Aldi store. They mentioned preferably through user-friendly apps. Additionally, residents easier connectivity between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill, want easier access to transit information with recommendations particularly to get to Orange County Hospital and events at such as organizing travel training events at senior centers and Passmore and Seymour. In addition to this, better transit services providing clearer directions on buses. Installing real-time between Downtown Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham, with a information signs was also mentioned. specific request for stops at the Zen Center along Highway 86. Affordability was a significant concern, with requests for making Residents also would like to see infrastructure improvements, transit more affordable or even free for riders. There was a strong including more sidewalks for pedestrians along U.S. 70 and emphasis to include smaller communities in Mebane like West expanded bike lanes, particularly to accommodate mountain Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 6 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COU vN End, East End, Buckhorn, Perry Hill, and White Level in transit Hillsborough and Chapel Hill/Carrboro, as well as routes from planning discussions, as these areas tend to be often overlooked. unincorporated Orange County into Mebane. Lastly, a suggestion was made to add train stops in Mebane to UNC Hospital transit riders expressed interest in connectivity increase connectivity. between Hillsborough and Chapel/Carrboro, as well as connections between Hillsborough and Durham. Question 3: What times of day are most Durham Tech transit riders also mentioned the importance of important to you for travel? (29 total connecting Hillsborough and Chapel Hill/Carrboro. stickers) Faucette Street transit riders prioritized connecting Hillsborough When considering the most important times for travel, residents and Mebane, service from unincorporated Orange County into Durham, and better service within Hillsborough. Notably, none of mentioned the midday hours on weekdays, particularly from 11 the polling board responses mentioned the need to connect AM to 2 PM.They mentioned the importance of having reliable Orange County to other regional destinations. transportation options during these hours to meet diverse travel needs. To increase transit usage, there was a suggestion to make Question 2: What type of transit service transit more affordable or even free. improvements would you like to see in POLLING BOARDS Orange County? (32 total stickers) Transit riders were given the opportunity to share their thoughts Transit riders across all locations would like increased scheduled on three questions by placing colored dot stickers on unstaffed bus service that follows a fixed route with designated stops. polling boards placed in transit shelters. A total of 92 responses Riders mentioned the importance of shorter and more reliable were collected. Below is a summary of comments received. wait times. Additionally, there were requests for enhancements to the comfort and amenities at bus stops. Question 1 : Where would you like to see better transit services? (28 total stickers) In response to where riders would like to see better service, Cone Health transit riders are seeking improved services within Mebane and enhanced connectivity between Hillsborough and Mebane. Additionally, there is a desire for improved connectivity between Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 7 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORANGE RG TRANSIT Question 3: What times of day are most Which Orange County Public important to you for travel? (32 total Transportation services do you use and/or have you used in the past? Select all that stickers) apply. Weekdays during peak commute times (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) were mentioned as the most important travel times among all Hillsborough Circulator = 15% transit users. This was closely followed by weekdays before 7 AM, between 9 AM and 4 PM, and after 6 PM, as well as throughout orange-Alamance Connector 3% the day on Saturdays and Sundays. Orange-Chapel Hill Connector _ 21% SURVEY SUMMARY Mobility on Demand (MOD) 4% A total of 191 participants completed the online or paper survey. OC Public Transportation 4% Survey Results Social Services Dept. 1% Participant Transit Service Use Aging Dept. 2% Participants were asked about their use of public transit services CJ R Dept. 1 within and outside of Orange County. Sixty-six (66) percent of survey participants have not used Orange Have not used 66% County Public Transportation. Twenty-one (21) percent preferred the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector, while 15 percent used the OtherOC Dept. 5% Hillsborough Circulator. Nine (9) percent scheduled rides through 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% an Orange County Department, and 5 percent use other Orange County departments to schedule their rides. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 8 127 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNTY Other Transit Agency Services Frequency of Transit Use Respondents were also asked what transit services outside of Respondents were asked how often they used Orange County Orange County they currently use or have used in the past. Public Transit services. Which other transit agency services do you How often do you use transit services in use and/or have you used in the past? Orange County (including fixed bus routes Select all that apply. and scheduled door-to-door rides)? Never 50% Other(Please specify) _ 12% Once a month or less often - 27% 1 have never used public 34% transit services A few times a month _ 10% Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation . 5% A few times a week M 9% (PART) GoTriangle 31% Every day or almost every day 0 5% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Chapel Hill Transit 50% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Twenty-seven (27) percent of participants used Orange County transit services once a month or less, with half(50 percent) saying they never use them. Only 5 percent of participants reported that Chapel Hill Transit was used by 50 percent of participants, they use Orange County transit services daily. Nine (9) percent followed by GoTriangle services at 31 percent. Additionally, 12 reported that they used the services a few times a week. percent used public transit in cities such as Raleigh, Durham, New York, and Boston, while 34 percent reported that have never used public transit services. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 9 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNT PLAN Participant Preferences Where would you like to see better transit Participants were asked to share their preferences and ideas for services? transit improvements, focusing particularly on service areas, hours Select up to three. of operation, and service quality. Connecting Hillsborough and ° Chapel Hill/Carrboro 44/° Service Area Unincorporated OC into Chapel Participants were asked where they would like to see transit Hill/Carrboro 41% service improvements in Orange County. Unincorporated OC into Respondents were most interested in improving transit services Hillsborough 29°�° connecting Chapel Hill to Carrboro and Hillsborough (44 percent) Connecting Hillsborough and ° and to unincorporated areas of Orange County (41 percent). Durham 27/°Additionally, 29 percent expressed interest in improvements connecting Hillsborough to unincorporated areas of Orange Connecting OC to other 23% regional destinations County, and 27 percent wanted transit connections from Hillsborough to Durham. Interest in transit improvements in Within Hillsborough 23% Mebane varied from 10 percent to 19 percent, depending on destination. Unincorporated OC into Durham 20% Connecting Hillsborough and Mebane 19% Unincorporated OC into Mebane 11% Within Mebane 10% Other(Please specify) 10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 10 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA RRANG ETROUNTNN Transit Schedule Transit Improvements Participants were asked what days and times were most Participants were asked what type of transit improvements they important for them to travel. would like to see in Orange County. What times of day are most important to What type of transit improvements would you for travel? you like to see in Orange County? (Pick up Select up to two. to 3) Weekdays 9 AM to 4 PM 61% Making transit payments easier 12% Saturdays throughout the day 47% Other(Please specify) 15% Weekdays 7-9 AM and 4-6 ° /° PM Improving bus stops 17 39/° ° Weekdays after 6 PM 23% Vanpool and carpool programs 18% Sundays throughout the day 16% More on-demand service 38% Shorter, reliable wait times for ° Weekdays before 7 AM 15% services 43/° Making it easier to find service ° 0% 20% 40% 60% information 44/°More scheduled,fixed route 58% service Participants are most likely to travel between 9 AM and 4 PM (61 0% 10%20%30%40%50%60%70% percent), throughout the day on Saturdays (47 percent), and during typical weekday commuting times (39 percent)—defined Fifty-eight (58) percent of participants expressed their primary as weekdays between 7 AM and 9 AM and 4 PM and 6 PM. interest in having more scheduled fixed bus routes, Additionally, Sixteen (16) percent of participants travel throughout the day on 44 percent indicated interest in easier access to information about Sundays and 15 percent travel early mornings on weekdays transit service, while 43 percent want shorter and more reliable before 7 AM. wait times and 38 percent would like more on-demand transit services. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 11 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORANGE RG TRANSIT 3 PHASE 2 OVERVIEW KEY FINDINGS The second phase of public engagement for the Orange County Overall, engagement participants were supportive of the SRTP was conducted to gather feedback on the proposed proposed changes and improvements in the SRTP. The most strategies and implementation timeline, as well as continue to common feedback themes on the proposals included: educate residents about Orange County's transportation options. ■ Service requests to where people live that were not served The engagement period took place from August 19 to September within the plan timeframe, including fixed route service to 12, 2024. Target audiences were transit riders, Orange County communities south of Carrboro and north of Hillsborough residents, stakeholders, and both riders and non-riders from . General support for changes to the Hillsborough traditionally underserved communities. Similar engagement Circulator strategies were used as in Phase 1. 133 people completed the survey online or in person, and over 125 people participated in Support for coordination of the 420 and Orange Chapel at pop-up events and conversations with project staff Hill Connector, although some riders preferred more walkable local stops to the express service presentations. ■ A few comments were concerned about the lack of all-day PARTICIPATIONfixed route service between Hillsborough and Mebane, but many respondents also expressed an understanding DEMOGRAPHICS of the tradeoffs and supported the MOD improvements as an alternative The survey included optional questions about participants' . Significant support for easier booking of MOD by phone demographic backgrounds. These questions had response rates ■ Significant support for weekend demand response service ranging from 83 percent (location) to 91 percent (age). Overall, ■ Walkability improvements were popular, in particular on ■ 76 percent of participants identified as white Orange Grove Road and near Walmart and Aldi. ■ 46 percent were 65 or older Beyond the specific SRTP proposals, reliability continues to be a ■ 36 percent had annual household incomes of $75,000 or major concern for all services, including missed trips and lack of more clear information, and there was strong support for proposals ■ 15 percent reported having a disability focused on improving reliability and communication. ■ 45 percent lived in Hillsborough Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 12 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUN Y TACTICSAND TOOLS encouraged to fill out the survey either online or on paper and submit their feedback prior to the end of the engagement period The following activities were conducted to engage and collect on September 12, 2024. All information was made available in feedback from residents and stakeholders during Phase 2 of the English, Spanish, and Mandarin. A list of pop-up events, their public engagement period. dates, times, and locations are available in Appendix A. Pop-Up Events Presentations The project team held a series of seven pop-up events at The project team conducted presentations with the Orange community centers, senior centers, shopping locations, and local Unified Transportation Board (OUTBoard) and the Mebane Bicycle events between August 20, 2024, and September 10, 2024. These and Pedestrian Commission (BPAC). The presentations consisted events provided transit riders and residents an opportunity to of project updates on the proposed changes in the plan, and provide feedback on the proposed changes and learn about opportunities for attendees to provide feedback were provided. existing and future transit services. Pop-ups were conducted at various times of the day at the following locations, chosen based Survey on Phase 1 engagement experience and stakeholder input: The project team administered a brief survey seeking feedback on ■ Passmore Center the proposed changes to transportation services. The survey was ■ Seymour Center distributed both online and in print in English, Spanish, and ■ Hillsborough Walmart Mandarin. The survey was open from August 19, 2024, to ■ Efland Cheeks Community Center Food Distribution September 13, 2024. Analysis of the survey results can be found in ■ Eno Arts Mill First Fridays Appendix D. ■ Mebane Farmer's Market ADVERTISING METHODS ■ Cedar Grove Community Center At each event, the project team had an informational board that showed the proposed changes to transit services on a map and Project Website provided explanations about each of the services.Additionally, The project website developed for Phase 1 of the public the project team had paper flyers that had the informational engagement process was updated to include the proposed board on one side and a survey on the other. People were transportation service changes and plan overviews, Phase 2 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 13 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUN?Y engagement activity locations and times, and a link to the online Email Campaigns and Social survey. Media Transit Posters Building on the efforts from Phase 1, the project team The project team hung up informational posters on bus stops collaborated with plan partners to promote Phase 2 public throughout Orange County that provided a link to the online engagement activities through email campaigns and social media survey. The posters were hung up at the following bus shelter outreach.A comprehensive media kit, featuring a digital flyer, locations: social media assets, newsletter text, and email templates, was ■ Fulton St. at VA Hospital prepared in both English and Spanish. This kit was shared with stakeholders and agency partners for dissemination through their ■ Erwin Rd. at Fulton St. (Duke University Hospital) respective channels.Additionally, the media kit was sent to ■ UNC Hospital/Health Sciences Library various community organizations throughout Orange County. ■ Durham Tech, Orange County Campus ■ Waterstone Dr. at UNC Health Care-Hillsborough Campus ■ Faucette Mill Rd. at Cornelius St. ■ Churton St. at Margaret Ln. ■ Mebane Cone Health Park & Ride Project Flyers In addition to the transit posters that were hung up across Orange County, project flyers were distributed to various locations throughout Orange County. These locations included residence complexes, libraries, community centers, schools, hospitals, and senior centers. The flyers included information on proposed changes to transportation services, along with a paper copy of the survey. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 14 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA PG ECRUNSIT PLAN OUNTY 4 PHASE 2 FINDINGS SURVEY RESULTS 133 people submitted responses to the survey online or on paper. POP UP EVENTS All submitted surveys were completed in English. Participants were asked about their transit use, both for Orange County Public Unlike Phase 1, with unique polling boards for pop-ups, Phase 2 Transportation services and in the region more widely. A majority pop-up events focused on distributing the paper survey and of respondents have never used OCPT, but more than half have informational sheet, answering questions, and making the public utilized at least some form of transit in the region. aware of the transportation options offered in Orange County. Specific feedback and comments were written down on paper Which Orange County Public Transportation surveys and entered into the survey result data. Where possible, services do you use and/or have you used in project staff counted the conversations held at the following the past? (Select all that apply) events: • Passmore Center: 18 conversations I call:another County Department 12% • ti l J i i OC Cr iminal rmnausce Seymour Center: 13 conversations I call: 11% Resources Dept ■ Eno Arts Mill First Fridays: 25 conversations I call:OC Dept of Aging 2% ■ Mebane Farmer's Market: 20 conversations 1 Other events focused on distributing information and gathering I call:OC DSS 2% written feedback, and the number of specific conversations was I call:OCPT M 8% not recorded. Orange-Chapel Hill Connector - 20% Orange-Alamance Connector 12% Hillsborough Circulator 18% 1 have never used Orange County Public Transportation 64% 0% 10%20%30%40%50%60%70% Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 15 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETROUNqAANSIT PLAN Which other transit agency services do you use Along with an open-ended comment box, the key question in the and/or have you used in the past? survey looked to gain feedback on the impact of the proposed changes on respondents. Over half of survey respondents said the proposals would make using transit at least somewhat easier for Other(please specify) 6% them. Piedmont Authority for Regional 7/°° Among those who said they have used OCTS services in the past, Transportation (PART) � 70% responded that the changes would make it either somewhat GoTriangle 36% or much easier to use. Chapel Hill Transit 52% 1 have never used public transit 37/o° services 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Will these proposed changes make it easier for you to use public transportation in Orange County? 40% 35% 35% 30% 25% 19% 21% 20% 15% 15% 10% 4% 5% 0% Much Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Very Not Easier Easier Difficult Difficult Applicable Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 16 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHT Oo 4NRG ETROUNTY APPENDIXD- 1 : • Saturday, 9/7, Mebane Farmer's Market, 8:30 am — 12 pm ■ Tuesday, 9/10, Cedar Grove Community Center 11 am - 12 OUTREACH pm LOCATIONS Polling Board Locations Phase 1: Pop Up Events ■ Churton Street at Margaret Lane (Hillsborough) Phase 1: E Faucette Mill Road at Cornelius Street (Hillsborough) ■ Monday, 3/18, Hillsborough Walmart, 2 pm —4 pm • Durham Tech OCC Park-and-Ride (Hillsborough) ■ Tuesday, 3/19, Orange County Seymour Senior Center, 11 • UNC Hospital (Hillsborough) am — 1 pm ■ Cone Health Park and Ride (Mebane) ■ Tuesday, 3/19, Passmore Center, 3 pm — 5 pm Phase 2: ■ Wednesday, 3/20, Durham Tech OC Campus, 9 am — 11 None am ■ Wednesday, 3/20, UNC Health Care-Hillsborough Transit Poster Locations Campus, 3 pm — 5 pm Phase 1: ■ Saturday, 3/23, Downtown Mebane Eggstravaganza and Bunny Hop 11 am —2 pm • None Phase 2: Phase 2: ■ Tuesday, 8/20, Passmore Center, 9:30 am - 11:30 am • Churton Street at Margaret Lane (Hillsborough) ■ Tuesday, 8/20, Hillsborough Walmart 2 pm —4 pm • Faucette Mill Road at Cornelius Street (Hillsborough) ■ Wednesday, 8/21, Orange County Seymour Senior Center • Durham Tech OCC Park-and-Ride (Hillsborough) 10 am - 12 pm E UNC Hospital (Hillsborough) ■ Friday, 9/6, Efland Cheeks Community Center, 9:30 am - ■ Cone Health Park and Ride (Mebane) 11:30 am E Erwin Rd at Fulton Street, Duke University Hospital ■ Friday, 9/6, First Fridays at Eno Arts Mill 6 pm to 9 pm (Durham) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 17 Appendix 2 mGe Engagement ORANGE/�UN� APPENDIX D-2: PHASE What types of improvements would you like to 1 POLLING BOARD see in Orange County (Select a) ]o 9 COMMENTS a 8 Pop Up Events 7 § Where would you like to see better trans k § services? 4 4 4 ]n a a 9 2 2 2 8 2 7 ] e § ; o 4 \ b \ \ 0 \a 0 M ) \ z 2 — t 2 ] y \ \ 0 / / / 2 0 £ � >, / ;2 0 2 6 \ ! 0 ® / = m = = 2 u -0 -0 = a e - 2 0)_, E ° o E ° § E \ k § ( E = z o = � .g 3 \ \' / § m ° \ 0 > o E o = o m 2 2 o $ G % k � � 2 ± _ - - 2 2 e o e 2 6 / = -E g = o . a � a ` _ _ -0 _ = o , e 2 2 u 5 ® \ a 2 \ ƒ z # g # > 2 ƒ % E \ @ \ u \ E %$ \ / a 1 \ s o 7 � / m _ \ b e G o # 0 o _ _ f § g 2 o 7 0 y 5 ® — 2 = _ — — / E ® b / G - \ $ § .= 3 = » e 3 6 -0 e » 0 e \ / \ \ \ 2 \ ) / § \ / / / / / t E 0 \ \ E k E o E * E _ _ _ ° o g 's » / » / E 0 o 0 0 ® e § m = Qj ƒ § Lt u u u / ° o _ 2 e / > E N§mANy eeConsulting Associates 18 37 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA RRANG ETROUNTY What times of day are most important to you Polling Boards for travel? (Pick up to two) Where would you like to see better transit services? Sundays throughout the day 8 8 7 6 6 Saturdays throughout the day 5 4 4 3 3 3 Weekday nights(after 6pm) 2 2 1 1 0 ' 0 ' 0 0 Weekdays during the middle of the a, 0 0 0 0 a, E day(9am-4pm) ° t o c c c c °J U 0 O 0 O 0 0 0 -0 C t U U U O U t aj aj a) p O 0 t o Weekdays at peak commute times o, o, o, o, 0) 2 -2 0, 0 rn o (7-9am,4-6pm) O o 0 0 u O o �o o o N -0Na) N — N j v \ �_ p L L L (U 2- 2- 2- Q U) C M-0 � a: Weekday early mornings(before U c c � v c a"i O 7am) � o O U 0 E E E E U U u O O O O a) C Li- Li Li Li O 0 2 4 6 8 U Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 19 38 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETROUNTY What type of transit service improvements What times of day are most important to you for would you like to see in Orange County? (Pick travel? up to three) (Pick up to two) 9 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 5 4 4 3 3 5 3 2 4 1 1 0 3 3 3 3 0 3 m m 6+ y+ N y 01 o c v� c c o c t o as P V m O 2 2 n N N v c �n m 2 O t m co f6 N v� O N Y T c O O O m a °U' r o m 0- E , E 3 N 1 '� t 2� m 2 .� O a�i m m N v °n' 3 ai ai o T c .� 0 O v�i �^ N O w Y v : a ° g o Weekday Weekdays Weekdays Weekday Saturdays Sundays v x m o early at peak during the nights(after throughout throughout a Q c m mornings commute middle of 6pm) the day the day o o a, c (before times(7- the day ° 2 c Q c 5; o a lam) gam,4- (9am-4pm) > E 6pm) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 20 10 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETROUNTY APPENDIX D- 3• PHASE This proposals are all addressing central and northern Orange County. • For those of us in the southern part of the county, but outside the Chapel 2 SURVEY COMMENT S Hill-Carrboro city limits,we have very few options other than to drive to a park and ride for CH Transit. Walking and cycling are not safe options on our roads. I really thought this process would address our southern What •• you like or dislike about the proposed Orange County needs as well. I'm disappointed in this plan. routereference specific I wish the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector could come as far south as Love the Mebane circulator. Great opportunity for older adults and Southern Village. people without cars to access shopping and Cone Health.Also May be assumed, but routes× info. need to be readily available, expanding MOD seems helpful for affordability and accessibility.Will individualized with prompts&easy to understand ie: where are you some of the vehicles be wheelchair-accessible?I hope eventually these leaving from,where do you want to go&when do you need to be there, services with run on weekends too. then take ... at. ... that you can get&Updated throughout day. As I most likely the Mebane Circulator(I live in Mebane)and a connection example, looking at proposed map of routes, I find them very difficult to to Alamance Community College, but also the prospect of more routes in read. general. need southern route access I like the on-demand services for rural areas in southern Orange county There is nothing for Heritage Hills where I live. Need more transit between Chapel Hill and Carrboro and Durham. Need All sounds great. Hopefully it will get done fewer walking distances for those who are disabled. When and if I can no longer drive, improving MOD will be critical;and Orange-Chapel Hill Connector increasing the frequency of the Hillsborough Circulator will also be a big help, IF it runs reasonably close to my house. We are in heritage hills at the southern end of Smith level Rd. I didn't see any public transport near us in the proposal. There are some strategies that I like, however others don't seem to be helpful,especially as a resident of Alamance County rather than Orange I'm 85 and live in the stouthern rural part of the county and need County.Tanger Outlets would be a good location for cash loading UMO transportation from dusk to dark. I don't understand how the on demand cards. service works but it won't be of use to me when I need it because of the hours proposed. Still doesn't at all serve me(heritage hills) local should make more quick stops in neighborhoods...Just a stop and I like the expanded service hours and the mobility manager, but would go...I live in a development with no side walks to walk to a bus stop as like to see even more improvements in walking to transit so many do and I would use a bus much more often with a quick stop in I have not been able to find the changes to the Hillsborough circulator my neighborhood,Yet, I wont risk walking on a highway to catch a bus on the plan. I don't know what they are. bus...You dont even need a full stop unless you see a passenger waiting....thanks for allowing our input Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETROUNTNN I like the focus on helping people walk to transit stops and protecting I was hoping that the plan would address the future train station in them while waiting for their transit vehicles. I also like the focus on Hillsborough. I have a vision disability,and so I use the part bus to travel increasing the number of vehicles and frequency of buses. back and forth between Chapel Hill and Greensboro,where I have North Orange County isn't being helped-an area that really needs family.The PART bus does not run on Saturdays and Sundays,and it is additional transportation to access services,typically located in southern rather inconvenient to take the train to Durham,and then transfer to CH part of Orange Co via bus. I am waiting for the train station to come in and it will be very important for the area to plan for that going forward. I live in Hillsborough and currently drive. But I am interested about public I would use the 420/Circulator to go to Hillsborough, but the ridership transit. Me and my wife are in our 70's. pattern is a little confusing. Simplifying the relationship between the 420 While I like the expanded hours of service on the Hillsborough Circulator and the Circulator will be helpful! and two routes,it's not clear to me about having to transfer onto the it won't help me drive less. It would be nice for the circular to run on second route as well as wait time. weekends. "free"transportation really means that someone else pays. From 2X Hboro circulator, new Mebane circulator and eliminating under- experience in other jurisdictions,any free transport(even for a select utilized routes group)is never enough. There is always clamor to add more people to the"free"group. The taxes in Orange County are already quite high; it (Eventual)consolidation of Hillsborough-Chapel Hill connector-but does not make sense to plan to add more liabilities. removing their redundancies and better integrating Orange County The cost to people on fixed incomes that are suffering from inflation due transit services to the rest of the Triangle's fare and tracking systems to government spending. should be a much higher priority. It doesn't make sense to offer the Orange-Chapel Hill Connector when Like the addition of workability to the Transportation. Does that mean GoTriangle serves the same route.You should give funds to GoTriangle sidewalk improvements? to operate the 420 bus,and use the savings the extend the hours to 9 Need better weekend services&higher frequencies between Chapel Hill pm(which would make the service far more valuable for people traveling &Hillsborough during the week between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough for events) Nothing seems to be expanding to the area where I live Appreciate increased options w/ Hillsborough circulator split Doesn't effectively address access for elderly in rural areas. Please, please make it so people can call for trips on MOD. Don't have a More access to MOD services when I can no longer drive a personal smartphone or computer access and I can't use MOD. vehicle No service between Chatham county line and carrboro We live at Gatemoore on Rhonda Rd in South Hillsborough. Hopefully I like increasing walking access to transit. the new stop shown at Cheshire Dr as close as possible to Oakdale Dr+ improved frequency will finally allow us to get on the bus to go to Wallmart of the Sportsplex-45 min is still a lot though. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 22 141 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Don't like. We need a train and/or light rail. Not these connectors! I don't Excited about weekend demand response service;go to Walmart on the know anyone who uses them! Misallocation of resources. And lack of weekends;wish it would begin sooner strategic vision. Moving the bus off 86 will make it impossible to take either the 420 or I like the circulators OCH;to get more people to ride it, add more stops along the corridor, it No service along 70 from Mebane to Hillsborough. can be hard to walk to bus stops In the plan,there is reference to the one-way aspect of the Hillsborough Adding the proposed transit hub in Efland would increase the likelihood Circulator that makes it difficult for passengers because they have to that I would use the public transportation system. ride all the way around the route even if the stop they need is only 1 stop I am one of the many who have never used any of the transit methods. away. But the plans don't seem to address that issue at all,from what I expanding MOD route, please include making scheduling appointments can see,which I think they should. easier for individuals who don't have access to internet or smart phones possible on-demand rides in north-east of county I like making the Hillsborough Circulator 2-way. I like improving foot Mebane! More about Mebane Connectivity traffic routes to public transit. I like the public info campaign. I cannot ride from fairview neighborhood to the occ college,they need a More service! stop in between to share if you're going to split it,otherwise some people "Improve Bus Stops, build new Rural Transit Hubs,and improve Walking will have to walk/run to the next stop Access to Transit so that people can comfortably get to and wait for Support the advertising campaign, send a pamphlet with water/electric transit."THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR ORANGE COUNTY and should be a bill free service for senior citizens who live nowhere near CHC BUS Allow people to get senior rider card at Seymour Center instead of TRANSIT that runs BUSES DAILY ALMOST EMPTY OF PEOPLE AND having to go to Transportation Center(very hard to get there without the IT IS ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RURAL TRANSIT SYSTEM card!) FOR ORANGE COUNTY SENIORS IS A DISGRACE AND WOEFULLY INADEQUATE.THE SENIOR CENTERS DO THEIR BEST BUT Not enough MOD drivers,serious issues with MOD reliability; cancelled CANNOT KEEP UP WITH DEMAND--WHICH IS TO TRAVEL trips, hard to book, sometimes not operating WITHOUT HAVING TO DRIVE OR UNABLE TO DRIVE. LET'S Need safety improvements at Aldi crossing CHANGE THAT, PLEASE. The shorter loops are an excellent idea.The problem is a lot of West Like the new HC.Want OCPT to be more focused on transporting the Hillsborough is left out of the changes. Lakeshore Drive residents would general population have a very difficult time using the circulator. Like the improved H2H alignment and the ability to get from CH to The Hillsborough circulator routes eliminate easy access for the west Passmore Hillsborough neighborhoods. Having a stop at the intersection of west Wish it was two way to reduce walking or time on the bus; like the split Hill and West King would allow widespread access for this area. loop idea Bus is a good choice because parking is hard downtown Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 142 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Easy walking access to transport from Churton Grove neighborhood to Areas of focus,expanded hours, regular routes all great for planning and downtown Hillsborough as well as Chapel Hill.Would have very much using. liked to continue being able to get to Mebane from Hillsborough as I It will expand services to older,disabled and/or low-income individuals. consider future needs when old enough not to be able to drive(20-30 Much more should be done to help connect these isolated individuals to years from now)and desire to minimize driving now(ecological services, resources and engagement. reasons). Traveling from Alamance County, aka,the affordable community to I like that there will be more hubs in the rural areas.We do not have Chapel Hill care appointments aka in the desired community will be transportation and cannot get to our appointments,doctor and difficult without the connector. pharmacy. My husband bikes 15 miles one way to get to the doctor/pharmacy. A fixed route parallel to the ODX needs to run all day.Towns with Increasing frequency of Hillsborough Circulator would make it much current populations well above 10,000 need to be connected. more user friendly I like having the Hillsborough circulator running every 45 minutes; The A loop of the Hillsborough Circulator has low ridership. Consider expanded weekend service; improved walking access to transit;and the eliminating the portion along 70 and only have one loop.Transit Plan new Mebane circulator funds should not be used for Mebane Circulator as it is in Alamance Will there be any rural hub spots up 57 towards NE corner of Orange? County. Perhaps the two stops in Orange County can be funded but I live in a rural area between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill and there is nothing more. Orange County has a mobility manager already. Confirm no public bus stop or circulator zone that I can take. It would be nice to that there would still only be one but perhaps with an expanded role. Bus be able to take public transit but this would require the county to expand stops should be sufficient for passengers.Calling them transit hubs is the zones further and add a route along Orange Grove Rd. confusing. Please clarify that funding sources other than the transit plan funds will be used for sidewalk projects unless directly adjacent to a bus I like the proposed 2 Hillsborough circulator routes which will make going stop. Begin OCH at 9:30, not 8:30 to further reduce overlap with the 420. to downtown Hillsborough more convenient The demand for transit maps are misleading.The range of density and I like the start time change to 6:30am colors used imply that there is similar demand in Hillsborough as there is at UNC.This should be corrected. Show raw data or more fairly illustrate Please re-prioritize(to 2025-2027)your=>Sunday<=bus services within the differences. Chapel Hill/Carrboro city limits. Personally, I'd love to see a Sunday bus on the N route(from Harris Teeter/Meadowmont to downtown and connecting every half hour with the N/S lines, between Eubanks Rd and Southern Village....from 9 am to 2 pm Sundays. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 24 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA RRANG ETRANSIT OUNTNY APPENDIX D-4: ENGAGEMENT MATERIALS PHASE 1 MATERIALS Polling Board TRANSITHELP IMPROVE ■ NGE COUNTY! iAyfji3ENOSr• •D r rrOr• ORANGE COUNTY The Orange County Short Range Transit Plan will Identify opportunities EI Plan de Transporte Public.a Carta Plaza del Condado Orange identificara to improve transit services in Orange County,Mond create an opartunitial Para mejorar los servicios de transporte p6blica en el ST-IORT P AjV GF,'CRANSIT PL.A-N Implementation plan for 2025 to 2030. Condatlo Orange,NC,y creara un plan de Implementaclon Para 2025 a 2030. �ONdAda a♦�NGE Let us know what improvements you would like to see! i Haganos saber qua mejoras le gustaria ver! Where would you like to see better transit service?(Pick up to three) Place a sticker next to your preference(s). I IL p, m vor.ugh .n Mehane orporatep orl,Oratep FirmpnfnCorp.r ,.Inl—tea Cennecfing Cenner'ting ,aCeing ConneChing.xnge Ofher Fo rangerCounryinty Foranga C.umyint. orange C.umymmd FD rangarCoun[y into Hillab.mughand Hillsbor.ughand Hillsborvughand C.umy mother Gen4utic Hillzh.rough aW tro tic Mchanc Hillsborough Mcbanc Ghapcl HilllLarrbprp Curham Mcbanc 11-i—IHilllGarrbaro nurham rc q p nal dcstinatigns lltms n—.sr..... n.Rdar..z.. r.....m.d. r.....ra.d. r.....t.nd. D...rm.a.cl cgrp.retles Jel Inc.rporaaastlel Incerp.retlasdel Incorporetlas Jel Mlllsb—ghy Mebane blllsh.r.ugh YGhapel Mlllsb—ughyaurhsm L.d—avenge Cpnldadv Orange heave Cvndad.arenge haste Candad.Orange haste C.ndadv orange heave Hill/Carrh... c pe deatlnaa H illI pqh Mehane Ghnpel Hill/Garrbam Durham ragivnales What type of transit service Improvements would you like to see In Orange County?(Pick up to three) Learn more about the project and take the lou- Orange? full survey by 3/31 at orangecountysrtp.com! 10titeril mas inforril sabre el proyecto Mor—heGltdlb.a 11—,-demand V—P—landgar qql Makingit...I,t, Making itcasic iq Imgpraringthc Sh-t.andrgera otngr yrespondalaencuesta antes del3131an eloq rhatmna aarvl e,wharenyq� pragrams,tamaiait T;gd,LPff�!RI payt.rtr...It rortana rehablawanumes otra. orangecountysrtp.com! ngetlaed route nc Il.rusee pp caster t..hare rides Fecfll[ar el tlel amenities at bus for transit services _ with fixetlempa ctv rcoh c'tarih^ta pr tr--dr.--ll ¢err ces ha naport pdbllco stops Tri, p do czpcn MSs serrici.de any,, a Facilitar la bbsquada Mcjorar la comodidad y us c.rt y carpool,pars yue aen oinlvrmarlhn soh les emenitletles en las r„ osy ,rnddz pmgram.dv service arc es facfl compertlr - r c.ntlablea pare qua recorm una rote Mis znrvieina pcdidp' viajea d l.s pri lostle o paradae de eutgbGe toe serviciostle rlJacon pareaes Ares d.,,dc pucdiIl..i transporte publleq hranx he co a epllcacf6n par p. .area s.l�icitar un vials a p.ln,anrlugardc.rr. Je un nree Je servici. 0uestians7 all infc(pppcgnsultinq.net ..PrequntasY Enrie un email a in7pMpppconsal[inq.ner What times of day are most Important to you for travel?(Pickup to two) USE THE STICKERS TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOVE UTILICE LOS STICKERS PARA RESPONDER LAS PREGUNTAS ANTERIORES WeelkdaY early Yyeekda speak Weekdays Burin9 the Weekday nights Saturdays Sundaysthr.ughvut mo nngs(before mmu tlmea[7 ml ddle Nthe tlay lartcr qpm] ihrpughout the day the day r 7am1 cq-9am,4-6pm1 19am-Spm1 Rhh.dvsd.ramc tcd. ncminpnsdpr.ntp Temprano par le bide I.L.reb ea en Die.laborablea (Jeep—de 1..6 p,nl el Jia I.J.el Jia bpr.x pian[d.7n gam. d„mnr..l mrvli.din[q m[rates Bevies lemlo Je4s dp,n) en,e4 p,r,) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 25 144 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA RANG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Survey (English) HELP US IMPROVE TRANSITORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN HELP US IMPROVE TRANSIT SERVICE! ORANGE COUNTY 8)How else would you like to see public transit improved in Orange County? SHUH'T HANC,E THAI\S1T 1'l.AN The Or'anga County Short Aw,"Transit Plan will identify 4)Which city,town,or community do you lira in? opportvni ties to improve transit services in Orange County, tat},llilstaoraughr Codar Onwe,Etland) NC and create an implementation plan for 2025 to 2030.Let us know what improvements you would like to see! Please return this:nrwy by Merck31,2024 through: 9)Subscribe for Project Updates:Would you like to be notified of project updates and opportunities to provide feedback? Take it online at.ranq-..nty.rtp.-m _ 51 Where woul d you like to see better transit service? If so,please provide your email address below. Email a scan or photo of each page to o ❑o (Pick up t.43) inivdapppconsulting.net ❑Within Hillsborough Mail to Public Participation Partners ❑Within Mebane 9502 Si.Forks Rd,Ste.102 Q ❑From unincorporated Orange County into Hillsborough Raleigh,NC 27615 ❑From unincorporated Orange CountyintoMebane Voluntary Demographic Questions Scan the OR code to learn mare about the project or visit ❑From unincorporated Orange County into Chapel Hilll The following questions ask about you and your background.This information helps us work toward our goal of inclusive ora.geceurrtysrirr-am Crrbora engagement.Please note that your responses will be used solely for data collection,will remain CONFIDENTIAL,and are ❑From unin—porated Orange UuntyintoDurham OPTIONAL. ❑Connecting Hillsborough and Mebane 11 Which Orange County Public Transportation services do C7 Ca nnecti ng Hillsburaugh and Chapel Hil llCarrbom you use and lor have you used in the past? ❑Connecting Hillsborough and Durham 1)Do you have a disability? 6)Which of the following best describes you?(Choose all (select all that apply} ❑Connecting Orange County to other ragi onal O Yes that apply) ❑Hilkborou h a destinations g Circultor O No ❑Asian or Pacific Islander ❑mrangeAlamenoaCannector •u❑Other: ,,;,,ea,yarot.dorayCo-Imam—tary---12 theCaaay 0 Prefer not to answer ❑Black or African American ❑Orange-Chapel Hill Connector ruaarou�`irebo,reyaaa dariaeoyChopaYHlr,Cmdiwq ❑Hispanic or Latino ❑Mobility..DemandlMOD)Service �'' 2)What is your gender identity. ❑Native American or Alaskan Native call to schedule a ride with Orange County: fit What times of day are most important to you fortravef? ❑Public Transportation O Man ❑White or Caucasian ❑Department of Social Services (Pick up to 21 O Woman ❑Other:-------_ ❑Department ul Aging ❑Weekday early morningslbefore7am] O Non-binary ❑Prefer not to answer ❑Criminal Justice Resources Department ❑Weekdays at peak commute times(7-gam.4-6pm) O Prefer not to answer ❑Other County Department: ❑Weekdays during the middle of the day(9am-,pm) 7)What is your approximate annual household income? ❑I have never used Orange County Public Transportation ❑Weekday nights(after rpm) ❑Saturdays throughout the day 3)What is your age? O Less than$15,000 21 Wfiich other transit agency services do you use WAI r ❑Sundays throughout the day O Youngerthan 18 0$15,000 to$25,000 have you used in the past?(select al that apply) 018-29 0$25,000 to$50,000 ❑Chapel Hill Transit 7)Whattype of transit improvements would you like to see 0$50,000 t0$75,000 In Oranga County?(Pick up to 3) 0 30-44 ❑S.Triangla 0$75,000 and above ❑Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation(PART] ❑More scheduled bus service that runs along a fixed 045-64 ❑Other: route with fixed steps 0 65 and older O Prefer not to answer ❑I have never used public transit services ❑More on-demand service,whereyou can cal I or use an O Prefer not to answer app to request a ride to anywhere within a service area 8)How many cars does your household have access to? 3)How often do you use transit services(fixed route buses ❑Vanpool and carpool programsr to me Ike it easier to 4)How well do you speak English? 0 None and scheduled door-to-duor rides)in Orange County? share rides 0 One ❑Making it easier to find information ahout transit 0 Very well O Every day ar almost every day 0 Two O A Few ti mes a week services 0 WBII O A few it mes a month ❑Maki ng it easier to pay far t ransit O Okay O Three or more O Once a month or less often ❑Improving the comfort and amenities at bus stops O Very little O Never ❑Shorter and more reliable wait times for transit services O Not at all 9)What is your home zip code? ❑Other: O Prefer not to answer Nv+of x 5)What language do you speak at home? ------------------------------ Page 2 of 2 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 26 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNTY Survey (Spanish) MODEMS I CONDADO ORANGE PLAN DE TRANSPORTE PGBLICO A CORTO PLAZO MYOKNOS A MEJIDRMr CONDADO ORANGE 8)10e qu6 otra manera Is gustaria qua se mejorara el transporte p6blico an el Condado Orange? I t ' ►I PLAN DE TRANSPORTE PII9LIOD A CORK]PLAZO 13 Pion doUsewpKUPM&oaCata Plan doll Caldado 4)&&*Aob"pubbagoo edidWot DrmgoWentlficsrkoportunlda&m pare majww ins servidos [RK I PIIMahAArat PJlladf de trensperto pMco on el Coadedc On"%NC,ycrearh un plan do quimeim sbegutacliavarl On UZ5e203O iH6ga nos saber 9)Suscribase pare ro ecto: a ustariarecibirnotificacionessabreleaactualizacionesdel ro ecto quima]draslaqustariaverl 61AMirtdala�larlaearunasaJoraarakkda P P Y cl 9 P Y 0ssperlda seen alwurtr antes dol 31 W 1parm do 2024: 11--m afb PwNM4(eeeojphesn3) y lea oportunidades pare brindar comentarios?Si as as!,proporoione su direcci6n de email a continuaci6n. ❑own do HBn"ough Responds en lines on crengecauntyartp oom ❑Dontro de Nobene Escenee c bome une lots do cads p6gina y ❑Dosdedrses no Mcorporadasdal Condado Orenga hosta artvlelas poramoil a infodppppoonsuhingnet 1-1819borough Endaleporndrradpdstela _ ❑°osde6reaanaucorpdradascwcoraadoarangohnsta Preguntas demogr6ficas voluntarias PublfcPattldpedon Partners 0 0 ❑d Morbona raw no lncorporadasdel Condado Orange haste Las siguientes preguntas se refieren a usted y sus antecedentes.Este informaci6n nos ayuda a trabajar hacia nuestro 8502 Six Forks Rd,Sta.102 Chapel WCarrkro objetivo de participaci6n inclusiva.Por favor tenga an cuenta quo sus respuestas se utilizaran Onicamente Para Ia Raleigh,Nc 27816 ❑pesdadreas no IncorporaoasdW Condedo Orange hww recopilaci6n de datos,serdn CONFIOENCIALES y son OPCIONALES. ❑ Parham Escanse al cddlgo OR pare conwor - ❑Conactando Hillsborough yMabene MAE sabre of prwflcta ovkho ofa ow9m ill ooel ❑Conectendo Hillsborough yChapel HWCarrboro 1)ITiene usted alguna discapacidad? 6)gCual de las siguientes opciones le describe mejor?(escoja ❑ConwWrido Hillsborough yDurtrem O Si todo to quo corresponda) 06puiaarrkleada4a�aparhis MeaddMallode0rer" ❑ConectendoelCondado0ranga can ovnadmOnce ONo ❑Asiaticooislefio del Pacifico utomaherttlEorddanatpaaedd4{eeleraeieaa two Iftqua ragionaias OPrefieronoresponder ❑Negro oafroamericano cerrsapetdae0 ❑Otro: ❑Hispano o latino ❑HBloboroughMulear �P°rft°0 dWn"'d0u° °°aP°0'"r°'hft.=1°r'� w 2)iCualessuidentidaddeg6nero? ❑AmerindioonativodeAlaska Lance lerwnded. d.leeanfdearbbudrelspdraR CerrauKlerlery ❑Orange-AYmanca Connector -"yamer.. O Hombre ❑Blanco o caucasico ❑tlrange-Oval"M Connector O Mujer ❑Otro:---- ❑servicis demmdlidad bale dlemoada(Monj 8)aQWmemontee del laadn ask impeanraaepaeausud ONon-binario ❑Prefieronoresponder Llww Para programs un vieje can M Coodedo-Orenge: paret wbftrw?(w*haata2) O Prefiero no responder D rranspsrte pdtoco ❑Tamprdm porlo mailleno omre semenalantes de les7em) 7)jCual as el ingreso anual aproximado de su hogar? ❑Deportsmemo do$ervicldo Sodeles ❑Dies lahorahles an horas pleo[do 7a 9 an de 4 a 6 pml 3)4Cu6l as su edad? O Manes de$15,000 ❑Oepartamanto de Fmejserntwtd ❑pies laborablea durante M msdkdla(9 on a4 pm) O$15,000 a$25,000 ❑DepartsmemodoRecursssdoJu tIcTePatd ❑ O Manor de18afios 0$25,000a$50,000 ❑Mro depertamsrrto del condado: ❑Sdbadw durente todo eldle O 18-29 ❑Nunce he undo eltrarnporm pObilco del Condodd Orange. ❑pdminges duranta tado at die O 30-44 O$50,000 a$75,000 O 45-64 O$75,000 o mas 1)AMobwaarrlsbadeepwalloodatrawpartaldlillieaoha q) tjp6d All trawwpachi pbbkd k gbdd&w6h 065anosomas OPrefieronoresponder utoudaenelpurde awadedo0rw"?Iwo*haa0a31 OPrefieronoresponder dap) 8)4A cuantos autom6viles tiene acceso su hogar? ❑f1jo-nMftse p—di frizz(�s programedo quo recarrs une ruts ❑���Treat fqa can parades f1ps 41 i0u6 tan bien habla ingles? O Ninguno ❑Galridrgla MdsservldoapsdldadoM oue en O Uno ❑Pedmom Authority far Regional Trcmportatlon(PART) ap8cacidn pare solldtarunvT4Bacualclulerlugardonlroda 0Bien ODis ❑Ouo: un Arm do servlcTo O Mes o menos O Tres o mas ❑Mwce he usedo Iwservidosde transporte p6blleo ❑Program,,do,tanpaul y carpool,pars qua ses mAs fact O Muy poco S 17ape)uiT1eC11a11C1alA�abaaeskbadel7awporta oomillitw la partlrvTojes ONada 9)jCu6laselc6digopostaldosuhogar? pd�ice(arMett—drrrlaWVvijnptngrretadeepwrtad ❑transpnspdbquedadslntormaef6nsahra las sarvGiosds OPrefieronoresponder trenaporte pd6gra ---- puprWm41 Coodede DrwW ❑Facilitarol pogo dal transporta p6blim 5)g0u6 idioma habla en casa? Q Todw Iw Me o cal todoe ka dies ❑MejorerIs comodlded y leaemenidades on las parades de O Aigunas veces a Is samara outobds Q Algunas uoces at mas ❑Tiempos do aspera m6s cortos y conflables pare Iw ------ O Una voz at mas o menos sarvicks de transports pdbliw Paging 2 de 2 Q Nunce ❑otra: Pdgin.lde2 Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 27 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR 4NRG ETROUNLAN Social Media Posts 'o UNC Hospital Hillsborough- 430 Waterstone Drive, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Facebook/ Instagram March 20-, 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. Post Week 1 a 0, Mebane Eggstravaganza — Downtown Mebane, Mebane, NC Help us improve transit service! Let us know what improvements you would like to see in Orange County by March 23,d, 11:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. 2030. Attend a pop-up event throughout the month of March: Can't make it out? Learn more and take the survey by March 31==: www.orangecountysrtp.com Hillsborough Walmart— 501 Hampton Pointe B, Hillsborough, NC *Weather Permitting. Please visit the website for updates. March 181h, 2:00 p.m. —4:00 p.m.* Post Week 2 ,o Seymour Center - 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Reminder: Don't Miss Out on Your Chance to Improve Hill, NC Transit Service in Orange County! March 191h, 11:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.* Hey Orange County residents! We want to hear from you to shape the future of transit service in our community by Passmore Center - 103 Meadowlands Drive, 2030. Hillsborough, NC Can't decide what changes you'd like to see? Attend one March 191h, 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. of our pop-up events for more information. Learn more and take the survey by March 31==: Durham Tech OC Campus - 525 College Park www.orangecountysrtp.com Road, Hillsborough, NC Your feedback is important to this process! March 20-, 9:00 p.m. — 11:00 a.m. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 28 147 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANNGE TRANSIT COUNTY Post Week 3 Post Week 3 The Deadline for Comments is March 31, 2024 The Last Chance to Take the Survey! Don't miss the chance to share your thoughts on what Don't miss the chance to share your thoughts on what transit improvements you'd like to see in Orange County transit improvements you'd like to see in Orange County for 2025 to 2030. for 2025 to 2030. For more information and to take the survey, please visit For more information and to take the survey by March www.orangecountVsrtp.com. 31-, please visit www.orangecountVsrtp.com. X (Twitter) Post Week 1 Digital Ad Help us improve transit service! Let us know what O SHORTR NGE COUNGE TRANSIT LAN improvements you would like to see in Orange County by 2030. Learn more and take the survey by March 31=r HELP USIMPROVE at: www.orangecountysrtp.com. oTRANSIT SERVICE Post Week 2 Reminder: Help Shape the Future of Transit Service in TAKE THE SURVEY BY MARCH 31st ■ r;14❑.��" ❑ Orange County! To share your thoughts on potential transit y : service improvements for 2025 to 2030. L RESPONDA LA ENCUESTA ANTES DEL 31 DE MARZO Help us improve transit service in Orange County! Your Paracompartir sus ideas sobre mejoras potenciales a[transporte ublico entre 2025 V 20230 input is crucial in making improvements by 2030. Attend one of our pop-up events for more information and take the survey by March 31-. Visit the website at www.orangecountVsrtp.com to take the survey see a full list of pop-ups. Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 29 Appendix D: Public Engagement OR RANG COUNTY Transit Flyer ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN HELP US ., IMPROVE A TRANSIT SERVICE DE TRANSPORTE AY F TAKE THE SURVEY 0" 0 BY MARCH 31st To share your thoughts on potential transit service �■ r improvements for 2025 to 2030 RESPONDA LA ENCUESTA ANTES DEL 31 DE MARZO Para compartir sus ideas sobre mejoras potenciales al transporte publico entre 2025 y 2030 www.orangecountysrtp.com Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 30 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA DUNG ETRANSIT OUNTNN PHASE 2 MATERIALS Informational Board We have a plan to improve transit in Orange County— ORANGE COUNTY please tell us what you think! SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN plan paria mejorar el transportep0blico en -------------- Transit Service Projects Condado r r r - Orange, r . r a . r - r r el Proyectos de Servicio de Transporte P6blico Hillsborough Circulator Orange County Transportation Services is looking for input on the draft Orange County Short Range Transit Plan, 0 ¢Hillsborough Circulator which has transit improvements proposed for 2025 to 2030. c°" b-Hillsborough Circulator Los Servicioa de Transporte del Condado de Orange estan buscando opiniones sabre el borrador del Plan de Orange-Chapel Hill Connector Transporte P6blico a Carta Plaza del Condado de Orange,at cualpropone mejoras en el tronsporte p6blico para el 0 Orange-Chapel Hill Connector periodo2025a2030. oa°`°'•ad Mebane Circulator PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR 2025 T02027 PROYECTOS PROPUESTOS PARA 2025A 2027 O O 3= -o-Mebane Circulator Mobility On Demand(MOD)Zones O Improve Mobility on Demand(MOD)by adding more 0Adjust Orange-Chapel Hill Connector to run express on wR° Moviltdad a Pedido Zones vehicles and creating five zones. 1-40,to better with GoTriangle 420. Hillsborough-Mebane Mejorarla Movilidada Pedido(o Mobility on Demand[MOD] Ajustor el"Orange-Chapel Hill Connector'pora qua circule r` North Orange an ingles)medtante to incorporackin de m6s vehiculosy la de manem expires par to l-40,para altneorse major con 0 South Orange creack5 decincozones. GoTriangle 420. OReroute Hillsborough Circulator into two routes thatrun O Discontinue Orange-Alamance connector and reinvest i L°b°d°°Rd G Southeast/Chapel Hill every45minutes,6:30a.m.-6:30p.m.on weekdays. funds into Mebane Circulatorond improved MOO on the a Cross-County Redirigirel"Hillsborough Circulator"en dosrutosque Hillsborough-Mebane corridor. Mebane circulen coda 45 minutos,de 6:30 a.m.a 6:30p.m.entre Discontinuarel"Orange-Alamance Connector'yreinvertir Aen°dd9° 0 0 semana. los Tondos en el"Mebane CirculatoPyen to mejora dale "'I°° ON Hillsboroughm Olmplemant new Mebane Circulator,running hourly 7o.m.- Movilidada Pedido(MOOporsussiglaseningles)enel 6p.m.on weekdays. corredor Hillsborough-Mebane. ° a o� Implementarel nuevo"Mebane Circulator;qua funcionar6 OMake it easier to book Demand Response,pay for transit, coda horn de 7a.m.a 6p.m.entre semana. and learn about transit options. s°°Rn°ray 0 Facilitar In reservaci6n de servicios de Respuesto a old vc ro la Demanda(Demand Response an inglesb elpago del oa tronsporte pdblico yla informaci6n sobre las opciones de tronsportep(iblico. a °°9°OHO+ Naw� N�stoat pd W a�s' PROJECTS PROPOSED FOR 2028 TO 2030 PROYECTOS PROPUESTOS PARA 2028 A 2030 O Expand Demand Response weekend service to better O Conduct a Fare Study to explore reduced or free fares. O =_ se° provide needed trips on Saturdays and Sundays. Realizarun Estudio de Tonics para explomrtorifas .!�h Expandir el servicio its Respuesto a to Demanda reducidas o gratuitas. �rrYbO°N°ae Durham (Demand Response an ingles)los fines de semana para Olmprove Bus Stops,build new Rural Transit Hubs,and mejorproporcionar los viajesnecesarios Ins s66odosy improve Walking Access to Transit so that people can c.l..aaa. FT-1R domingos. comfortoblyget to and wait for transit. o O Hire a Mobility Manager to help people learn about and use Mejoror)as paradas de outob6s,construirnuevos Centros o a err°s transit in Orange County. de irdnsito Rurales y mejorar el accesoapie al tronsporte wore°c0a 0 ° Contrator a un Gestorde Movilidadpom ayudara to gente p6blico poro qua to genre puedo llegar a elyesperarlo Ca itallm rovements Chapel Hill O aconoceryutilizarel transporte p6blico an el Condado de c6modamente. P P Carrboro Orange. Mejoras Capitales Q Bus Stop Improvement ,d Rd Take our survey and learn more about the Obtenga mas informacibn sabre el borrador del r e Mejom de Parade de Autbas I] ❑i °` v° ,c plan,respondaanuestra encuestayenvre sus +r Rural Transit Hub N s n°' f draft plan by RCode,September g oran ecoun4brtp.coscanning ° 0° 01 a� this OR Code,visiting orangecountysrtp.com, comentarroshasta e111 de sepnembre del Centro de irdnsito Rural _ a , en orongecountysrtp.com,esconeando este c6digo a -• or caIIinq(919)245-2007. ❑, Walking Access to Transit •---' ---"'"----- ORollamandoal(919)245-200Z ©Accesoa Pie al Tmns rte Pablirn Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 31 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORANGE RG TRANSIT Survey (English) 0 F0 o F r�0 a o a w e go MOP, o m • c m m x m � Oao jp a C M 9m rn x�.� x�. c .�.09 Irl A 1� ORANGE COUNTY -0� � m3',m�LMa � ��� coA�.�m M. �• n O fa ti C m—• y i0 PLAN 0 .0 0N O.p i0 ~ SHORTHelp us improve transit service! RANGETRANSIT 'm ra m z o-� 5.� O `<o W m o O 3 O ,�.. We want to hear your feedback on the draft Orange County Short Range Transit Plan,with proposals for improving 0 0 m m S N 3 K y e N p 7 transitservieasInOrangeCounty,NC for 2025to2030.Review the full plan atorangecountysrtp.comor the summary c m am am9 O mm f° O 7 on the other side of thissurveypagebeforegivingusyourthoughtsbelow. c N rt rno S? 3 3 n to CPlease return this survey by September 11,2024.You can: �a 1° .'O c O .o N■••• + ='N Om o•S ^N don— Take it online atorangecountysrtDTcom rt 00W .c7 W_3 `m CIO pEmalla scan orphoto of each pageto co OrangeSRTP@gmail.com ' ° ;O O N O O O N p 0 Mailto Orange County Transportation Services � O •- 0 00010 10, Q COL m C 600NC-66,Hillsborough,NC27278 Scan the ORcodeto learn more about the project orvisit ti ° ) M0m Phone:(919)245-2007 orangecountysrtDTcom o SO�'m a moo wWo. to 2 ichOrange County Transportation ly other transit agency d `ouu'eand/or o a„ 3t oo c o m o X. O saw useand/or have Youu used in the Past(Select all that apply.) have You used n the Past?(Select all haPPY) N my oQA m OHillsborough Circulator OChapel HillTransit OGoTriangle o m �: m 1dcr n �y d o o s• O-xo n7 IJ OOrange-Alamance Connector OPiedmont Authorityfor Regional Transportation(PART) v, a a o »,o CA OOrange-Chapel Hill Connector OOther: m r:3= x 3-0 OMobilityon Demand(MOD)Service o o'p F o o- <rn n m— 0l call to schedule a ride with Orange County: 01 have never used public transit services m m o aEi m No p C 0PublicTransportation o E o rt 0 Department of Social Services Will these proposed changes make It easier for you to use 0 Department of Aging public transportation In Orange County? 000 m 0 Criminal Justice Resources Department f p v O Much Easier O Somewhat Difficult x — 0 Other County Department: s m = = Oa OSomewhatEasier OVeryDifficult o _ — , ONeutral ON/A 01 have never used Orange Couny Public Transportation o 0 saw 3 `al What do you like or dislike about the proposed strategies?Please reference specific route or project names. 3 m vu 3 �© a m Voluntary Demogrnnhic^ m Thefollowing questions ask about you and your background and help us work towards our goal of inclusive engagement. .•tA ^ Rease note that your responses will be used solely for data collection,and will remain confidential,and are optional. �L,�.Jf ptl V�°°`� § • 7 •1 ° C A Z?�3�O�220 N What city,town,or commun(tydo you live in? Which of the following best you. _�'�etl 'o��o (e.g.,Hillsborough,Cedar Grove,Efland Grove,Efland) (Choose all that apply) x o -- sgsQ m 2� QN e y OASIan or Pacific Islander O Native American or °� ' M Pile o N a c o J 3°c c 2< MM ODlackor African Alaska Native a t »r; z B v 3 s s g e Do you have a disability? i-_ - " American O Whiteor Caucasian --•• — -— OYes ONo OPrefernot to answer o'_ o A 2° m50 0HispanicorLatino OPrefernot[oanswer fo• e m ma —; -- — A.. gym oo s What tsyour age? OOther: ® ^' =B m a a Vz 0Youngerthanl8 018-29 A 030-44 045-64 065andolder ®j a 0 Prefer not to answer What is your approximate annual household Income? 0 Less than$15,000 0$50,000to$75,000 What language do you speak at home? 0$15,000to$25,000 0$75,000 and above 0$25,000to$50,000 O Prefer not to answer Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 32 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA RG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Survey (Spanish) ° ° A ° ° ° 0'- 3 Iffito= v, m ` ?x oDDC1 3 S 333 O 0 z N N •' ww v .m m o vace m O Oo.. � � o �•mu y ml? ~ d e em �y 3 0�� �o� y N O 7 • cm e nw $ o ero < ,.n:,c o Tc111 W 'D ?o o'�aS° 3a m m fn 7 n O 27 SHORT�GE T�SIT PLAN 0 ea. � n o,o�m. H d1 • •c � v �vtrans• • • • • C m 'O 00 N -o 3�0 m m m m vq'i �3AN +I �c.m ~ 'NO N N W Qpuerremos Pnocersu opini6nsobre of borradorpdel Plan de Transporte P01slicc a Corrto Plaza del Condado de Orange,con 'a m H c o c c 0 �m� d'm m y�� a�.o0 � O m 6,� •ro uestas ammeorarlosserviciosdetrans aria ublicoanel Condado de Orange,NC arse) eriodo2025-2030. o 3 3 a N Revise el plan corn pieto en lines an oranga countysrtp.com o el resuma n qua se encuenra al reverso de esta pig Ina de Is g• <_ H m N = m 3,r„ o a ro v o encuesta antes de darnos su op(nl6n a cont(nuacl6n. m a•» `�°a o o w m 3 e 3,m o d,'o c is c-o m Porfavor,deweIva esta encuesta amiss tarder el 9 de septiembre del 2024: r Escanee el c6digo n a m m -�o. o m' m a m o H _ 0 6 0"Q u • RespondiendcalaeneuestaenlineaenorangecountysrtoTcom }� ORpara obtenermas o N° 2 N w w N 101 p• fD • Escaneandootomando una foto de cads paglnayenvlandolo por'To Informacldn sabre o N o 0 o m o- w o d c electr6nicoa OrangeSRTP@gmall.com el proyecto o vlslte o y.m c m ° ° ° ° o or m CL o �i, orangecountysrtp.com 0 e c o -1$a x z a w g A m ? o-e o o ro d o o. • Enviandola por correo a: o m 3 m H o'a v N a -"m- V m e e. ID 0 Orange County Transportation Services,600 NC-86,Hillsborough, 27278 A oa m»• 'm o= o��?e»o-�a o m m O Phone:(919)245-2007 v »o e.•_�' w o m - m,°.^ ID O O. ID o w o 3-?A o e _o-o re m �.c.�w so amK: O.W 7 0 Oise servlcios de fr puW ensporte tco del Condado de Orange y 0ue afros servtcios de agencies detransporte p6blico utilize �3 � e �e m m m» - .�� a�m��� O o.0)tlllzay/o he utllizado en el pasedo(seleccione Codas ias y/o he utiltzado an el pasado?((seleccione Codas ias opciones o w o m `"a Q� o m opciones qua apliquen) queapliquenl N is v c K o e o-g y'o .ew..a`o m o y �� OHillsborou h Circulator ^'�" c.m .°.a n _- d M N— •1 g OChapel Hill Transit OGoTriangle ? m m �Qom• m �y » fD m�� �o o m Ol-O O W Doran e-Alamance Connector 0 Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation o 0 0 o 'o^2- `"m N o o m o a�° m O N 9 Y 9 P = w D N•O'O m- 00range-Chapel Hill Connector DDtrO: 0 3 m d m e c H o y o`��° 0 3 om'3 W 3 O OServiclode MovilidadaPedido ONuncaheutilizadoserviciosdetransportepbblico w p x °=� �;-3 ao 3 0 Ore fp (o Mobilityon Demand(MOD)Serviceeningles) m -c w �'� 'o.w e w OLlamo pars programarun viaje con elCondado de Orange: IEstos cambtospropuestoslehar(en miss fecil utilizarel m e m 0 Transports p6blico tronsporte pfiblico an el Condado de Orange? OCL DepartamentodeServiciosSociales 0 Mucha misfacil OAlgodificil 000 X MINES (Department of Social Services an Inglis) DAI9omaS facil OMuydificil m a e O q o ODepartamentodela Tercem Edad ONeutral ON/A c °a n _ P • v--_ ""_"______ ________"--.--_" m (Department of Aging en ingles) �y m y m��- "-'-----'"" -------•---•------ ° ODepartamentode Recursos de Justicia Penal e a ro (Criminal Justice Resources Department an ingles) LOueiegustacnodelasestrategias propuestas?Par favor, o a a $ c hags referenda a nombres concretos de rutas o proyectos. , 0Otro departamento d el condado: n ONuncaheutilizado el Transporte Nblico del Condado de Orange °o°°"°x.°. • 3 Preguntasdemograficasvoluntarias i % - O 0 Lassigulentespreguntessereflerenaustedyasusantecedentes.Este lnformacl6n nos ayudaaavanzerhacianuesfroobjetivo �r `° ""G°• ou°,",.w�. departtelpacl6ninclusiva.Tengoencuentaquesusrespuestasseutilizar6nunicamentepararecop(lardatos,semantendr6n L9°n"��0pO11X % °°,°, I confidencialesyson opcionales. ti°, °v 2Enque ctuded,pueblo a omunidadvive? jCuai de las sigulentes opciones Is describe major? 1a�o � �� a 0 &g¢$¢_¢¢fi yae (Porejemplo„Hillsborough,Cedar Grove,Efland Grove,Efland) (seleccione todas)as opciones qua apliquen) ,I ,� 'I > op���7 g �� OAsiatico(a)ode laslslas OlndigenadelasAmericas CJ® 'i R R A 2 2 3 3 oo i del Pacifica o nativo(a)de Alaska <n N 'ems' a $` -�'s`-'S a s A,g�m yTlene algune discapecidad. i---".-- _ _ h,10, ' P" ONegro(a)/ OBlanco(a)/Caucasico(a) -•-----_-__ - _ _o m v� OSi ONo OPrefiero no contester afroamericano(a) ' --•------r, `°••", c'< OPrefieronocontestar , -- _ °„ 3 2_ Ro- .Z"qm� _d e 5 DHispano(a)/Latino(a) as ••--' 3' e ^S o 0 2Cual es su edad? i © """'---•--- � �° 00ther: _ m aloz 011enosde18 018-29 030-44 045-64 03 - ° 065 anosa miss 0 Prefiero no contester gCual as el ingreso anual aproximado de su hogai? y0ue Idtoma habla an case? OMenosde$15,000 0$50,000a$75,066 0815,000a$25,000 0$75,000omas 0S25,000a$50,000 0 Prefiero no contestar Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 33 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORA RG ETRANSIT PLAN OUNTY Survey (Mandarin) o � 0 �0 � 0 w i ON �E 4� i V 4 Zv4� it SH ORANGE. RANGET.COUNTYANSIT O EE m N 'R'h N �'' OC o c ® mPLAN e II 417 Ah iJvX Orange CountyAM9 'itAjWA�KIA, AepIPSUM 2025'IfY 2030 4� �°� i d 4� 1 County'a4t'ZAAR*N tiX• AA orangecountysrtp.com H r AZE 2024'xff9 A 11 9Z-P5ch kiJ-1j�o 9,7�k: +o EEC ID H n orangecountysrtp.com 5 �i �i of F# Fr �7t34kIfBk`i #���64i B OrangeSRTP@gmail.com A 0 0 0 0 ht ' Orange County Transportation Services } �3 } kf KD 600 NC-86, Hillsborough, NC 27278 —` 37 '�`cti li(�flb $ ti7i l'7 \�y 1 r4 F�i": (919) 245-2007 orangecountysrtp.com coW No xpZZt t � Rs orange Countv4`tt3�AAK�i? 3R ° GQ �itWktA4th�`3EtRnMA�? a�?# aou "`"� o Nn m Ct1AW93tWii1r?!i• > 01ff*;Krtf0i1DPi• ) r • ?# kk ti � o O Hillsborough 5FA 0 Chapel Hill/k4kZ9 0 GoTriangle 2 0 Orange-Alamance i 0 nth *Aff 3ZiRW�Vr, (PART) Fit+ 0"� Nl 0 Orange-Chapel HillAA-1 0 Aft,: n u }F1 A • )`®I C:,w 0"HiffAR*(MOD) _� nI � $7g 0 At7F�i€l-Orange CountvNi!'MM: O 2 � O#f$A&*"al it 1 h l$ fi iC fit fi fLh Orange CountYlf 0-t#'$ 'vM A? 03f9 �-19591F 04p*sp, 0LtRIE1 7-1 H O i O th em, 0*Md }' s Q .._---------- 0—)R O T-Vil - - -; 0 AM*IfflAorange CountYvA3 -'A ° !��Ahfi�iSC�I�g$�17��'�Tav��/?h?i�t;E1��4k�+#��ii 1���• `© va• , ©(D a �, A Aitkt Ff7iklf74fi�hPA$h4fl@atl� o i } �lC]o ��� # 4 , t 7 0E-� , �f��s �r7tr � , ) , � m•ac, ��o 0 0 0= o ¢¢ k14, Hillsborough,Cedar Grove,Efland Grove,Efland) 0 At4A:WF9,$K I 5, • H 3-mg g AE P�F A,� T•-P y� 0 XA.PY4V l � �7 S A o o z O AVf.�AVt�C�1T = a nnw g € g �)�i 019 OT- OT* Qo O - o ¢� �� �G f °�67t�f1AG f ps SMi F*A"? N o _ bE 0 18��T 0 18-29 y 0At: P a k8 0 30-44,4 0 45-64� 065 SPX U± ®' 3 0 yT 15,000*7L 0 50,000-�75,000*:FL EACi ft.H ip A? 0 15,000 1 25,000 Xn 0 75,000 tjt)A�4± 0 25,000-4i 50,000 At 0 TFtRR Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 34 Appendix D: Public Engagement ORANGE RG TRANSIT PLAN Social Media Posts • September 7t" 8:30am-12:00pm ■ ',0. Cedar Grove Community Center— 5800 NC HWY, Facebook/ Instagram NC-86, Hillsborough, NC ■ September 10t" 1 1:00am-1 2:00pm Post Week 1 Can't make it out? Learn more and take the survey by September We have a plan to improve transit in Orange County! Attend a 11th: https://orangecountysrtp.com/ pop-up event or take our survey at orangecountysrtp.com to tell us what you think about the draft Orange County Short Range Post Week 2 Transit Plan: Reminder: Don't miss your chance to let us know your ■ ,; Passmore Center— 103 Meadowlands Dr, thoughts on the Orange County Short Range Transit Plan! Hillsborough, NC Hey Orange County residents! We want to hear from you about ■ August 20t" 9:30-11:30am the future of transit in Orange County. Attend one of our pop-up ■ �,; Hillsborough Walmart— 501 Hampton Pointe B, events or visit our website to learn more about the draft Orange Hillsborough, NC County Short Range Transit Plan. Take the survey by September August 20t" 2:00-4:OOpm 11th: https://orangecountysrtp.com/ ■ ■ Seymour Senior Center—2551 Homestead Rd, Your feedback is important to this process! Chapel Hill, NC Post Week 3 ■ August 215t 10:00am-12:00pm • Efland Cheeks Community Center- 117 Richmond The Deadline for Comments is September 11, 2024 Road, Mebane, NC Don't miss the chance to share your thoughts on the plan ■ September 6t" 9:30-11:30am to improve transit in Orange County for 2025 to 2030. • ,; First Fridays at Eno Arts Mill —437 Dimmocks Mill Rd, #17, Hillsborough, NChttps:Horangecountysrtp.com/ more information and to take the survey, please visit https:Horangecountysrtp.com/ ■ September 6t" 6:00-9:00pm ■ Mebane Farmer's Market— 102 E Ruffin St, Mebane, NC Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 35 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUN�Y X (Twitter) Digital Graphics Post Week 1 ORANGE COUNTY We have a plan to improve transit in Orange County, and we want SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN We have a plan 0 R, transit in to know what you think! Learn more and take the survey by Ivy to • • ve September 11t" at: https://orangecountvsrtp.com Orange County! ■ Post Week 2 p6blico en el Condado de Orange! Reminder: Give us your thoughts on the draft Orange County Tell us what you think! iOiganosloque Short Range Transit Plan! Your input is crucial in making TAKE THE SURVEY BY piensa! SEPTEMBER 11TH RESPONDA A LA ENCUESTA A MAS improvements by 2030. Attend one of our pop-up events for 0 to share yourthoughts on the draft TARDAR EL 11 BE SEPTIEMBRE Short Range Transit Plan(2025-2030) Para compartir su opinion sobre el Yh www.orangecountysrtp.com borrador del Plan de Transports more information and take the survey by September 11 . Visit the POblicoa Corto Plazo(2025a2030) website at https://orangecountysrtp.com/to learn more and take the survey. We have a plan to improve Post Week 3 OrangeCounty! The Last Chance to Take the Survey! iTenemos un plan para mejorar ell transporte pfiblico en ell Condado de Orange! Don't miss the chance to share your thoughts on the draft Orange County Short Range Transit Plan for 2025 to 2030! Tell us what you think! iDiganosloquepiensa! TAKETHESURVEY BY SEPTEMBER 11THto share your RESPONDAALAENCUESTAAMASTARDAR EL11 DESEPTIEMBRE thoughtson the draft Short Range Transit Plan 12025-2030) paracompartirsu opinion sobreel borradordel Plan de Transporte For more information and to take the survey by September 11t", Publicoa Corto Plwo(2025a2030) please visit https://orangecountysrtp.com/. o�- o ORANGE COUNTY `, ..�. G . SHORT RANGE www.orangecountysrtp.com Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 36 Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUN�Y Upcoming pop-up events We have a plan to improve transit Pr6ximos Eventos Pop-Up in Orange County! PASSMORE CENTER EFLAND CHEEKS COMMUNITY CENTER iTenemos un plan para mejorar • • Tuesday,August 20,9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday,September 6,9:30-11:30 a.m. • • • en el • • - • • • Orange! 103 Meadowlands Dr,Hillsborough 117 Richmond Road,Mebane HILLSBOROUGH WALMART FIRST FRIDAYS AT ENO ARTS MILL Tuesday,August 20 Friday,September6,6-9 p.m. Tell us What you i Diganos to que 2:00-4:00 p.m. 437 Dimmocks Mill Rd.,#17,Hillsborough 501 Hampton Pointe B,Hillsborough think! piensa MEBANE FARMER'S MARKET • SEYMOUR SENIOR CENTER Saturday,September7,8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. TAKE THE SURVEY RESPONDA A LA ENCUESTA Wednesday,August21, 102 E.Ruffin Street,Mebane BY SEPTEMBER 11TH A MAS TARDAR 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 2551 Homestead Rd,Chapel Hill CEDAR GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER to share your thoughts on the EL 11 DE SEPTIEMBRE Tuesday,September 10,11 a.m.-12 p.m. draft Short Range Transit Plan para compartir su opinion sobre el 5800 NC HWY,NC-86,Hillsborough (2025-2030) borrador del Plan de Transporte www.orangecountysrtp.com Publico a Corto Plazo(2025 a 2030) www.orangecountysrtp.com e �y0rangeCouniy ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN - • �aa�ge<ouMY ORANGE COUNTY SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 37 56 TY Appendix D: Public Engagement SHSHORT RANG COUNLAN Transit Poster ORANGE COUNTY A C Cvangigapty SHORT RANGE TRANSIT PLAN We have a plan to improve Orangetransit in County! iTenernos unplan para mejorar el transporte • • • en el Conclado de Orange! Tell us what you i Diganos to que think! piensa! TAKE THE SURVEY BY RESPONDA A LA ENCUESTA SEPTEMBER 11TH A MAS TARDAR EL 11 DE SEPTIEMBRE to share yourthoughts on the para compartir su opinion sobre el draft Short Range Transit Plan borrador del Plan de Transporte Publico (2025-2030) a Corto Plazo(2025 a 2030) DST p ❑� www.orangecountysrtp.com R Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates 38 INTEGRATED MOBILITY 157 DIVISION UNIFIED GRANT APPLICATION PUBLIC HEARING RECORD Important—A public hearing MUST be conducted whether or not requested by the Public. Orange County Short Range Transit Plan and applicable State funding, or combination thereof. APPLICANT: ORANGE COUNTY DATE: October 15, 2024 PLACE: Southern Human Services, 2501 Homestead Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 TIME: 7:00 P.M. How many BOARD MEMBERS attended the public hearing? How many members of the PUBLIC attended the public hearing? Public Attendance Surveys ❑ (Attached) ❑ (Offered at Public Hearing but none completed) I, the undersigned, representing (Legal Name of Applicant) ORANGE COUNTY do hereby certify to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, that a Public Hearing was held as indicated above and During the Public Hearing ❑ENO Eybk comments) ❑ (Public Comments were made and meeting minutes will be submitted after board approval) The estimated date for board approval of meeting minutes is: ................................................................................................, Affix Seal Here Signature or Clerk to the Board Printed Name and Title Date FY 2025 PUBLIC HEARING RECORD ................................................................................................: Last Updated: 04/03/2023 158 PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Orange County Short Range Transit Plan and applicable State funding,or combination thereof. This is to inform the public that a public hearing will be held on the proposed 2024 Orange County Short Range Transit Plan on October 15,2024 at 7:00 PM before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners (Southern Human Services,2501 Homestead Rd,Chapel Hill,NC 27516). Those interested in attending the public hearing and needing either auxiliary aids or services under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)or a language translator should contact Nishith Trivedi on or before October 15, 2024,at telephone number 919.245.2007 or via email at ntrivedi@oran ecountync.gov. The Community Transportation Program provides assistance to coordinate existing transportation programs operating in Orange County as well as provides transportation options and services for the communities within this service area. These services are currently provided using fixed routes,ADA paratransit,demand response, and deviated fixed routes. Services are rendered by Orange County Public Transportation. This Short Range Transit Plan may be inspected at 600 NC Hwy 86 N Hillsborough,NC 27278 from 8am-5pm Mon-Friday. Written comments should be directed to ocbocc@orangecountync.gov before 3:00 p.m.on the afternoon of the meeting October 15,2024. End of Notice Note: AN ORIGINAL COPY of the published Public Hearing Notice must be attached to a signed Affidavit of Publication. Both the Public Hearing Notice and the Affidavit of Publication must be submitted with the grant application. AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PfJBLICA Plan de transito del condado de Orange y fondos estatales aplicables,o una combinacion de los mismos. Esto es para informar al publico que se llevara a cabo una audiencia publica sobre la solicitud propuesta Plan de transito del condado de Orange 15 de Octobere de 2024.La audiencia publica se llevara a cabo ante la Tunta de Comisionados del Condado de Orange (Southern Human Services,2501 Homestead Rd,Chapel Hill,NC 27516). Aquellos interesados en asistir a la audiencia publica y que necesiten ayudas o servicios auxiliares bajo la Ley de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades(ADA)o un traductor de idiomas deben comunicarse con Nishith Trivedi en o antes del 15 de Octobere de 2024,al numero de telefono 919.245.2007 o por correo electr6nico a ntrivedi@orangecountync.gov. El Programa de Transporte Comunitario brinda asistencia para coordinar los programas de transporte existentes que operan en el Condado de Orange,asi Como tambien proporciona opciones y servicios de transporte para las comunidades dentro de esta area de servicio. Estos servicios se proporcionan actualmente utilizando rutas fijas,_ paratransito ADA,reopuesta a la demanda y rutas fijas desviadas.Los servicios son prestados por el Transporte Publico del Condado de Orange. Esta solicitud puede ser inspeccionada en 600 NC Hwy 86 N Hillsborough,NC 27278 de 8 a.m.a 5 p.m.de lunes a viernes.Los comentarios por escrito deben dirigirse a ocbocc@orangecountync.gov antes de las 3:00 p.m. de la tarde de la reuni6n del 15 de Octobere de 2024. Fin del aviso Nota: Se debe adjuntar una COPIA ORIGINAL del Aviso de Audiencia Publica publicado a una Declaraci6n Jurada de Publicaci6n firmada. Tanto el Aviso de Audiencia Publica como la Declaraci6n Jurada de Publicaci6n deben presentarse con la solicitud de subvenci6n.