HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-17-2003-5bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 17, 2003
Action Agenda
Item No. ~ - b
SUBJECT: Resolution in Support of Continued Regional Bus Service to Rural Orange
County __
DEPARTMENT: Department on Aging,
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
Orange Public Transportation
(OPT)
ATTACHMENT(S):
Staff Report
Proposed Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jerry Passmore, ext. 2009
AI Terry, ext. 2002
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To present for the Board's consideration a proposed resolution that would provide
for the continuation of the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) bus service from Hillsborough to
Durham/Duke Hospital.
BACKGROUND: There have been discussions at TTA about the possible elimination of the
410 Hillsborough route in light of what TTA analysts termed as "extremely low ridership, the low-
density nature of Hillsborough, and the existence of another transit provider in Hillsborough
(OPT) providing service with lower fares". Department on Aging/OPT staff have reviewed the
existing route structure and developed a proposal that could be pursued in order to preserve,
and perhaps enhance the efficiency of the route and maintain this critical linkage for the greater
Hillsborough community. This option for TTA Contracting with OPT to Provide Rural Orange
Transportation Services is outlined in the attached memorandum to the County Manager.
Department on Aging/OPT staff recommend that the BOCC approve a plan that would support
TTA entering into a contract with OPT to operate the existing Hillsborough to Durham/Duke/VA
route, as well as provide payment to OPT for operation of the existing Hillsborough to Chapel
Hill/Carrboro route. OPT presently operates the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route
independently and at its own cost although, in actuality, it should be a regional responsibility of
TTA.
A resolution is attached that supports continuing regional bus service, with the potential for
presenting the contract option to TTA. Adoption of the resolution would enable Orange
County's member on the TTA Board of Trustees to present and convey the BOCC's strong
interest in an arrangement that would ensure the continuation of the public transportation
services that link citizens in rural Orange to vital outlets such as employment, medical
treatments, education, and other community services. Under the proposed TTA contract, OPT
would focus its efforts on improving route performance and increasing customer satisfaction
and loyalty. However, the resolution as presented does not include any details of a proposed
contract.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Under the contractual arrangement proposed by the Department on
Aging/OPT staff, TTA would provide $103,580 to OPT to support continued regional bus service
to Orange County. However, the resolution does not specify dollar amounts.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution and
authorize the Chair to sign.
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ORANGE COUNTY DEPARTMENT ON AGING 17
POST OFFICE BOX 81 8'1
.TERRY M. PASSMORE, D/RECTOR 600 HIGHWAY 86 NORTH ~
D/RECT TEL. - 919.2452009 ~e~r~ c ""~~c
HILLSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27278
WWW.CO.ORANGE.NC.US/AGING
To: John Link, Jr., County Manager
From: Jerry M. Passmore, Aging Director
AI Terry, Transportation Manager
CC: Gwen Harvey, Assistant County Manager
Date: June 6, 2003
Subject: Continuing TTA Regional Bus Service for Central Orange County
After reviewing discussions about TTA proposing to discontinue the Hillsborough bus service
because of low utilization, we would like to suggest an alternative for the continuation of the TTA
Regional Bus service from Hillsborough to Durham/Duke Hospital. TTA has stated that the total
fiscal financial impact for this route is $64,500, with some additional savings from reduced deadhead
hours. As background information, the rural Orange County population we are trying to serve
represents 46% with the balance of 54% inside Chapel Hill/Carrboro who are served by the Chapel
Hill Transit. According to the Orange County tax collector, the total number of registered vehicles in
Orange County is 101,394 with 62,568 vehicles registered outside Chapel Hill/ Carrboro city limits.
At $5.00 per annual vehicle registration, this calculates to $312,840 from rural county residents to
support TTA services.
Contract with OPT to provide Rural Orange Transportation Service. We estimate that OPT can
operate the existing Hillsborough to Durham/Duke/VA route more efficiently. We could provide 6
round trips per weekday at a cost of $49,255, which would cover all driver, vehicle and operational
expenses (this cost is representative of an 8 hour work schedule). We would also propose that TTA
pay OPT for the current Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route that should be their regional
responsibility. In this way, OPT can use County/State funds to improve the Hillsborough intracity
routes and rural feeder service to the two regional routes. OPT cost for the Hillsborough to Chapel
Hill/Carrboro route that operates 5 round trips per weekday is $54,325. Current ridership is 10,000
trips per year or a per one-way trip cost of $5.43. The fare charge for this intercity bus service is
currently $1.00 each way. Issues for consideration are as follows:
a. Scheduling: Orange County and TTA would develop the Hillsborough to Duke/Durham route
to coincide with TTA routes to ensure transfers. The same development plan would be in
place for the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route. Joint brochures would be developed
to reflect the new route design and times. Currently, the Chapel Hill Transit brochure includes
the OPT Cedar Grove through Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route. This brochure is
published each year as a collaborative effort between Chapel Hill Transit and Orange Public
Transportation.
TELEPHONE (9~9~ 245-2000 • FACSIMILE ~9~9~ 644-3044 • E-MAIL: fPBSStIIOr@@CO.OfBng@.11C.US
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b. Revenue: Current fare structures for OPT include $1.00 per trip from Hillsborough to Chapel
Hill/Carrboro and TTA charges $1.50 per trip from Hillsborough to Duke/Durham. To provide
an equitable fare structure, we suggest the fare structure change to $1.50 for both routes
( Hillsborough to Duke/Durham and Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro) to ensure an
effective cost recovery program. Orange County Public Transportation would collect the $1.50
fare and credit $ .50 per rider toward the TTA monthly contract.
c. Demand response support: OPT would be responsible for providing paratransit support for
both TTA/OPT sponsored routes. Chapel Hill E-Z Rider will continue to support the Chapel
Hill/Carrboro residents with paratransit services and Durham Transit (Access) would continue
their paratransit services in Durham County.
d. Marketing: There would need to be a combined effort with TTA and OPT to ensure route
designs are meeting the needs of the residents. A marketing effort would be planned to help
provide information to develop route designs and route times. Joint brochures would be
developed and distributed throughout Orange and Durham counties. TTA logo would be
placed on the OPT vehicle for easy identification of the coordination.
e. Data Reporting: This responsibility would remain with OPT. OPT would forward ridership
numbers, costs per mile, and cost per passenger to TTA on a monthly basis.
f. Equipment: OPT would begin the route with a 12 passenger van with hydraulic lift equipment.
The cost of operating the Hillsborough to Duke/Durham route would increase if the number of
riders requires a larger vehicle. OPT is currently operating an 18 passenger bus for the
Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route. There would be no cost changes incurred with
increased ridership of this route.
We would recommend that Orange County Commissioners support this proposal, which would
include TTA providing $103,580 to Orange County to support two rural intercity routes rather than just
the one. The $ .50 credit per rider to the TTA contract is not reflected in the gross operating cost of
$103,580 per year.
Fn: h/optrans/planning"Link-TTA Bus Service 030606"
TELEPHONE (919) 245-2000 • F,acsinni~e (919) 644-3044 • e-rvwi~: jpassmore@co.orange.nc.us
Orange County Board of Commissioners
RESOLUTION
In Support of
"Triangle Transit Authority's Continued Regional Bus Service
to Rural Orange County"
WHEREAS, according to the latest population figure, more than 52,000 persons
reside in rural Orange County (outside the Chapel HilUCarrboro city limits)
representing 46% of the county population, with these numbers
expected to rise at a rate of 2.5% per year; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commission strives to provide the rural
Residents of Orange County with access to needed services and
opportunities with transit programs inside and outside of the county; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners established the Orange Public
Transportation (OPT) to serve the rural residents of the county with para-
transit and public mobility services, and are in the process of updating the
Community Transportation Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners supported the creation of the
Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) to improve regional transportation for
all of Orange County and has appointed a Commissioner to represent its
interest on the TTA Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners supported a Triangle Transit
Authority route to connect Hillsborough to Durham/Duke in August, 2001
and opposes the elimination of this route by TTA as proposed due to low
ridership and to save TTA $64,500 in operation expenses; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners also supported the collection
of a $5.00 annual vehicle registration fees from county residents to support
regional transit service, which according to the range County Tax
Collector, has provided estimated revenue at over $300,000 (based on over
60,000 vehicles registered in the rural sections of the county outside Chapel
Hi1UCarrboro) per year to support regional transit services; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners believe that the goals of
regional service equity, improved route performance, and increased
interagency planning and coordination can all be achieved by allowing
evaluation by TTA and OPT of a reconfiguration of the Durham/Duke
route, and the absorption of a Chapel HilUCarrboro route, currently being
operated by OPT but seen as a regional responsibility of TTA, and
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WHEREAS, the Orange County Board of Commissioners support Triangle Transit Authority
continued provision of rural transit services by contracting with Orange Public
Transportation (OPT) for the Hillsborough to Durham/ Duke route as
well as the Hillsborough to Chapel Hill/Carrboro route, at a total cost for
operating both routes estimated at $103,580 per year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the ORANGE COUNTY BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS, reaffirm support for the mission of Triangle Transit Authority
to provide regional transportation services, its continuation of regional transit service in
rural Orange County, and request that the Hillsborough route not be eliminated but that
opportunity be granted to pursue development of a contract between TTA and OPT to
continue and enhance the quality and viability of rural transit service under the general
constructs described in the attached proposal from DOA/OPT staff.
This the 17th day of June, 2003.
Margaret Brown, Chair
Orange County Board of
Commissioners