AGENDA #1

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Council Work Session: Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan

 

DATE:             November 10, 2003

 

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to suggest a process for the Council’s consideration of the recommendations of the Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan proposal.

 

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.  The total cost of the Plan was $400,000.  The North Carolina Department of Transportation provided $320,000 and Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Triangle Transit Authority and Chapel Hill each provided $16,000.

 

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.  

 

On September 8, 2003, the Council referred the Consolidation Plan to the Transportation Board and Public Transit Committee for review and comment.

 

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 at http://townhall.townofchapelhill.org.  Additional copies of the report are available for Council members on request.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan proposal 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.

 

The Executive Summary (Attachment 1), provides an overview of the elements of the proposed consolidation plan.  It also includes a discussion of funding and governance.  Attachment 2, Figure 1B-1, provides a summary of the proposed schedule and phases for consolidation.

 

STATUS OF PLAN REVIEW

 

Chapel Hill Transportation Board

 

The Transportation Board has reviewed the Proposal and their comments are provided in Attachment 1.  The Board’s opinion is that Chapel Hill Transit service would not be enhanced by the proposed consolidation. The Board supports to improve coordination and cooperation with other transit providers and suggests that Chapel Hill continue to monitor the consolidation process.

 

Public Transit Committee

 

The Public Transit Committee, composed of elected officials from Chapel Hill, Carrboro and administrative representatives from the University, is expected to meet on November 18, 2003, to discuss the consolidation proposal.  We expect both the University and Carrboro will offer comments and we will convey them to the Council.

 

Raleigh

 

The Raleigh City Council is scheduled to discuss the Consolidation Plan proposal on November 5, 2003.

 

Durham

 

The Durham City Council has authorized its staff to begin the development of a memorandum of agreement designed to implement the recommendations of the consolidation proposal.  The City Council will review and consider the memorandum of agreement upon its completion.

 

Triangle Transit Authority

 

The Triangle Transit Authority Board has endorsed the consolidation proposal and agreed to act as the administrative body for the consolidated transit system.

 

Cary

 

The Town of Cary has authorized their staff to begin development of a memorandum of agreement intended to implement the recommendations of the consolidation proposal.

 

North Carolina State University

 

North Carolina State University has begun a review of the recommendations of the consolidation proposal. No timetable has been set for completion of the review or further actions.

 

PROCESS RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend that the Council discuss the consolidation proposal, request any additional information that it wishes for staff to provide, consider the recommendations of the Transportation Board and receive the recommendation of the University and Carrboro before taking action. We expect that a follow up report can be prepared by November 24, 2003.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council refer comments from the work session on the consolidation proposal for consideration on November 24, 2003.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.      Executive Summary, Triangle Regional Transit Consolidation/Implementation Plan (p. 4).

2.       Consolidation Implementation Plan Gantt Chart (p. 9).