HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2025-042-Transit scheduling and dispatch software agreement approval and approval of budget amendment #5 ORD-2025 - 042
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date : December 9 , 2025
Action Agenda
Item No . 8 -g
SUBJECT : Transit Scheduling and Dispatch Software Agreement Approval and Approval of
Budget Amendment #5 -A
DEPARTMENT : Transportation Services
ATTACHMENT (S ) : INFORMATION CONTACT .
1 . Service Agreement - CTS Software Jamael Wiley , Transit Planning and
2 . Year-to- Date Budget Summary Operations Manager , 919 -245 -2006
PURPOSE : To :
1 . Approve the Services Agreement for Transit Scheduling and Dispatch Software ; and
2 . Approve Budget Amendment # 5 -A .
BACKGROUND : At the February 20 , 2024 , Business meeting , the Orange County Board of
Commissioners approved Orange County Transportation Services ' ( OCTS ) request to reallocate
transit tax operating funds associated with a portion of the Hillsborough Circulator 2 . 0 project to
be used as a one-time purchase of Trapeze software .
In follow- up , staff conducted a competitive evaluation , including a review of scheduling software
options available through the North Carolina Department of Transportation ' s ( NCDOT) Integrated
Mobility Division ( IMD ) contract , to identify a vendor capable of delivering an integrated , cloud -
based solution that supports fixed route , demand response , and mobility- on -demand services
within a single platform . The evaluation focused on systems offering advanced scheduling
optimization tools , real -time vehicle monitoring , seamless operator—dispatcher communications ,
rider payment capabilities , and comprehensive performance analytics .
At the conclusion of the process , CTS Software was identified as the recommended vendor. CTS
demonstrated the strongest alignment with operational needs and proved to be the most cost-
effective option when compared to other statewide and competitively reviewed systems . CTS
offers a unified platform that integrates trip scheduling , dispatching , mobile data terminals , fare
payment , Automatic Passenger Counter (APC ) tracking and communication technology ,
customer notifications , and reporting functions , while maintaining lower implementation and
ongoing operating costs than comparable vendors . The system ' s flexibility , scalability , and
compliance with statewide technology standards further supported its selection . The County' s
Information Technologies ( IT) Department reviewed the platform for security , compatibility , and
compliance with cloud - hosting requirements and approved it through the County' s Cloud Services
Questionnaire process .
The recommended Agreement (Attachment 1 ) includes configuration and implementation , data
migration from existing systems , integration with current technology assets , staff training , and full
go - live support . The Agreement also provides hosting , software maintenance , security updates ,
and customer support throughout the initial service period . Adoption of this platform will enhance
operational efficiency , improve service reliability , and strengthen customer information and
reporting capabilities across all OCPT service types in a cost-efficient manner.
The full Agreement cost is $ 304 , 020 and includes implementation expenses and 19 months of
monthly service as calculated per the CTS Software Service Agreement . Subsequent monthly
service fees will be covered by the Transit Tax within the operating budget .
FINANCIAL IMPACT : Capital Transit Tax funding from the Annual Work Plan will cover $275 , 320
of the expense . The remainder of the Agreement will be funded from Federal Transit
Administration ( FTA) 5307 funding and local match as identified in Budget Amendment #4 at the
Board ' s November 18 , 2025 Business meeting . Budget Amendment # 5 -A recognizes $ 275 , 320
in Transit Tax in the County Capital Fund , outside of the General Fund , amends the following
project ordinance budget , and broadens the project name .
OCPT Capital Grant Awards ($275, 320) - Project # 30085
Revenues for this project :
Current FY 2025 -26 FY 2025-26
FY 2025-26 Amendment Revised
Transfer from General Fund $ 1721063 $ 0 $ 172 , 063
Grants $616 , 248 $0 $616 , 248
Transit Tax $ 0 $275 , 320 $275 , 320
Total Project Funding $788 , 311 $275 ,320 $ 1 ,063 , 631
Appropriated for this project :
Current FY 2025-26 FY 2025 -26
FY 2025-26 Amendment Revised
Project Expenditures $ 788 , 311 $275 , 320 $ 1 , 063 , 631
Total Costs $788 , 311 $275 , 320 $ 1 ,063 , 631
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN : This item supports :
• GOAL 4 : MULTI -MODAL TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE 2 . Increase community awareness of all modes of transportation including
transit , bike and pedestrian , vehicle , and all other modes .
• GOAL 2 : HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 2 . Expand access to quality , affordable healthcare services . (e . g . , Crisis
Diversion facility , Medicaid expansion , crisis response , healthy living campaign ) .
RECOMMENDATION ( S ) : The Manager recommends that the Board :
1 . Approve and authorize the County Manager to sign the Services Agreement for Transit
Scheduling Software ; and
2 . Approve Budget Amendment # 5 -A .