TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Citizen Petition: Triangle Transit Authority Express Service Between Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park
DATE: November 9, 2005
This memorandum responds to a citizen request for additional Triangle Transit Authority express transit service between Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park.
On October 10, 2005, a citizen submitted a petition to the Council requesting that the Town begin discussions with the Triangle Transit Authority to establish express bus service between Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park (Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
The petition points out that the Triangle Transit Authority has recently initiated express bus service between Chapel Hill and Raleigh, utilizing the Eubanks Road Park and Ride facility. Triangle Transit Authority staff indicate that this service has been successful and is one of the Authority’s most productive routes
We believe that there is a market for expanded service between Chapel Hill and the rest of the Triangle Region that provides direct connections to employment centers and other destinations. We also believe this service must be convenient and provide competitive travel times with travel by automobile.
We recommend that the Town provide the petition to the Triangle Transit Authority and offer to discuss the options for initiating express service between Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park. We propose to review options for providing additional express services with representatives from the Triangle Transit Authority, Chapel Hill Transit, Carrboro and University of North Carolina. These options could then be reviewed by the Public Transit Committee and the Chapel Hill Transportation Board.
RECOMMENDATION
Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution forwarding the petition to the Triangle Transit Authority.
ATTACHMENTS
A RESOLUTION FORWARDING A CITIZEN PETITION REQUESTING EXPRESS PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE BETWEEN CHAPEL HILL AND THE RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK TO THE TRIANGLE TRANSIT AUTHORITY (2005-11-09/R-3)
WHEREAS, the Town Council received a citizen petition requesting Chapel Hill work with the Triangle Transit Authority to initiate express transit service between Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park; and
WHEREAS, the Town believed express service would encourage greater use of public transit;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the citizen petition be forwarded to the Triangle Transit Authority.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council requests that representatives from the Triangle Transit Authority, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University of North Carolina review options for expanding express service between Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle Park.
This the 9th day of November, 2005.