AGENDA #5e

memorandum

to:                  Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

from:            Steve Spade, Transit Director

subject:       Update on Staff Activities related Chatham County Transit Service

date:             October 8, 2007

PURPOSE

This memorandum is to provide an update on staff activities to work with Chatham County to provide preliminary planning and service recommendations for trips between Chatham County and Chapel Hill.

BACKGROUND

In June 2007, the Town Council directed the Manager and Staff to enter into discussions with Chatham County to discuss transportation issues and possible needs for bus service into Chapel Hill.

DISCUSSION

Since June, Chapel Hill Transit staff has met with the Chatham County Manager to discuss the options to begin discussion of transportation issues. Based on those discussions, it has been determined that an assessment of transit operations in Chatham County would be comprised of the following general activities:

1. To gather demographic information for persons in Chatham County traveling to Chapel Hill.
2. To work with the University of North Carolina to identify where University and UNC Hospitals employees live in Chatham County and identify their travel patterns.
3. To perform a market analysis to attempt to measure the demand for transit.
4. To develop service options including operating and capital costs.
5. To provide information on transit oriented development guidelines that would help create a more transit supportive environment.
6. Recommend Funding Sources

The staff has also had discussions with the Town Planning Department, TTA and University of North Carolina regarding participation in this activity. It is anticipated that during the next several weeks, the scope and level of effort for this project will be finalized and documentation will begin.