AGENDA #4L

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Process for Considering the Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/ Implementation Plan

 

DATE:             September 8, 2003

 

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to formally receive the Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan and recommend a process for reviewing the Plan.

 

BACKGROUND

 

In March, 2003 the Town Council approved funding to participate in a study of potential strategies for consolidating transit services in the Research Triangle Region. The firm of AECOM Consult began work in April, 2003 on a draft Consolidation/Implementation Plan and completed a draft Report in May, 2003. On May 8, 2003, AECOM Consult presented the draft Plan to the Town Council. The final Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan was completed in July, 2003 and copies of the Plan were distributed to the Council in early August.  

 

The Plan includes recommendations and an implementation schedule for consolidating the existing Triangle Transit Authority, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and North Carolina State University transit systems. Copies have been distributed to the Council. Electronic copies of the Plan are available on CD in the Planning Department and the Plan can be viewed from a link available on the Town of Chapel Hill website.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan includes recommendations and implementation schedule for consolidating the existing Triangle Transit Authority, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and North Carolina State University transit systems.

 

We suggest the Council refer this Plan to the Chapel Hill Transportation Board and to the Chapel Hill Public Transit Committee, made up of representatives from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University of North Carolina.  We will also make copies of the Plan available to Town employees for their review and comment.

 

 

 

 

NEXT STEPS

 

We propose that the Transportation Board review the Plan at its September 16, 2003 meeting. We anticipate the Chapel Hill Public Transit Committee to meet in mid October and suggest they review the proposed Plan at that time. We recommend that the Council schedule a work session in late November to consider the Plan. Representatives from AECOM may be available to present the Plan and provide additional information to the Council at that time.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution receiving the Consolidation Plan, referring the Plan to the Transportation Board and Public Transit Committee for review and comment and setting a work session for November, 2003 to review the Plan.

A RESOLUTION RECEIVING THE TRIANGLE REGIONAL TRANSIT CONSOLIDATION/IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ESTABLISHING A PROCESS FOR REVIEWING THE PLAN (2003-09-08/R-12)

 

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has initiated the Triangle Regional Public Transportation Coordination Project to study of the impacts of improved coordination and possible consolidation of regional transit services; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill operates the largest local transit system in the Research Triangle region and serves the largest number of daily riders; and

 

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has participated in the funding and development of the Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan; and

 

WHEREAS, the Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan has been completed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby formally receives the Triangle Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council refers the Plan to the Chapel Hill Transportation Advisory Board and Chapel Hill Public Transit Committee for comments.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council will schedule a work session in November, 2003, at a date and time to be determined, to review the Plan

 

This the 8^th day of September, 2003.