AGENDA #11

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor and Town Council

FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT: Response to the Chapel Hill Transit 25^th Anniversary Review Committee Final Report

DATE: May 22, 2000

This memorandum reviews the recommendations of the Final Report of the Chapel Hill Transit 25^th Anniversary Review Committee and suggests an evaluation and implementation strategy. The attached resolution directs the Manager to begin implementing some of the recommendations as part of the FY2001 budget.

BACKGROUND

On May 26, 1998, the Town Council authorized the creation of the Chapel Hill Transit 25^th Anniversary Review Committee. The Committee was asked to develop a mission statement and evaluate how well the Chapel Hill Transit system serves the community in light of that mission. The Committee was also asked to identify possible changes to the Chapel Hill Transit system for consideration by the Council. In establishing the Review Committee the Council adopted a work program and schedule for the Committee (Attachment 3).

The 25^th Anniversary Committee was composed of the Chapel Hill Transportation Board and additional individuals representing the following organizations:

University of North Carolina

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Orange County

Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools

Orange County Disability Awareness Council

Interfaith Council

Town of Carrboro

Durham Area Transit

Triangle Transit Authority

On June 28, 1999, the Council approved a Mission Statement proposed by the 25^th Anniversary Committee.

Chapel Hill Transit’s mission is to provide safe, convenient, accessible, reliable and responsive public transportation services to residents and visitors of the Chapel Hill, Carrboro and University of North Carolina communities. These services will be provided in an efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly way to connect and coordinate with other transportation services in the Research Triangle area and provide an alternative for local and regional travel

The adopted Mission Statement was used by the Committee in its review of the Chapel Hill Transit System.

On January 24, 2000, the 25^th Anniversary Committee submitted its Final Report to the Town Council. (Attachment 2) The Report includes a description of the process used by the Committee to gather public input, preliminary conclusions and an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the Chapel Hill Transit system. The analysis also includes a series of recommendations grouped into short term and long term categories. The Council referred the Report to the Town Manager asked for a follow up report that would outline how best to implement the recommendations of the 25^th Anniversary Report.

DISCUSSION

We believe that most of the recommendations of the 25^th Anniversary Committee involve changes to existing transit policies and the type and level of transit services currently provided. Table 1 summarizes each of the Committee’s specific recommendations and suggests a process for evaluating and implementing those recommendations. The table also includes, where possible, a preliminary assessment of possible fiscal impacts.

We have divided the recommendations into several categories for implementation. We believe that several of the recommendations should be implemented in the 2001 fiscal year. We have provided below a more detailed evaluation of those recommendations.

The remaining recommendations have been assigned to be evaluated for implementation as part of the 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan, the Town’s 2000 Comprehensive Plan or the 2025 Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Urban Area Regional Transportation. Several of the recommendations would be evaluated as part of more than one of these plans.

In most cases implementation of the 25^th Anniversary Committee recommendations will require additional analysis and coordination with the Town’s partners in the transit system, the University of North Carolina and the Town of Carrboro.

We believe that several of the recommendations should be implemented as part of the fiscal year 2001 Chapel Hill Transit budget. These include:

Committee Recommendation: Coordinate with Durham Transit and the Triangle Transit Authority to coordinate local and regional transit services.

Staff Comment: Chapel Hill Transit staff meets regularly with staff from the Triangle Transit Authority and Durham Area Transit to discuss how to improve the coordination of existing transit services. In the next fiscal year Chapel Hill will be participating in a regional partnership with the Triangle Transit Authority to engage a consultant to review options for improving the coordination of special services to the elderly and handicapped in the Triangle region.

Committee Recommendation: Update bus stop route and passenger information. Initiate a program to provide passenger information at each bus stop.

Staff Comment: We believe that bus stop information should be provided at additional bus stop locations. In the 2001 fiscal year we propose to add bus stop information to approximately 20 bus stops. The upgrading of these bus stops will include the addition of bus route map and schedule display racks. We estimate the total cost to be $4,000. In subsequent years we anticipate adding bus stop information at additional locations.

Committee Recommendation: Develop and maintain an on-line passenger information website.

Staff Comment: In the next fiscal year Chapel Hill Transit will develop an on-line website to provide route and schedule information. A consultant will be hired to work with staff to develop a user friendly website and provide training to allow Chapel Hill Transit staff to maintain the site. We estimate the cost of developing the website at $10,000.

Committee Recommendation: Incorporate new technology features into new transit vehicles.

Staff Comment: Chapel Hill Transit is working on specifications for the purchase of two additional transit vehicles in FY2001. We anticipate that these buses will be incorporate several new technology features such as a hybrid electric power system, next stop digital voice announcements and global positioning capabilities. The purchase of all future transit vehicles will also incorporate appropriate new technology. The addition of these features may increase the cost of individual vehicles.

Committee Recommendation: Transit services should continue to focus on high activity areas, Town Center and University and provide service to additional areas while maintaining short wait times between buses.

Staff Comment: Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University of North Carolina are continuing to discuss additional service for implementation in the 2001 fiscal year. These additional services could include more off peak, evening and weekend services as well as increasing service along existing routes and adding new routes. We believe the 25^th Anniversary Committee recommendations support the ongoing discussions.

RECOMMENDATION

We believe that the following recommendations of the 25^th Anniversary Committee Final Report should be implemented during the 2000-2001 fiscal year.

Coordinate with Durham Transit and the Triangle Transit Authority to coordinate local and regional transit services.
Update bus stop route and passenger information. Initiate a program to provide passenger information at each bus stop.
Develop and maintain an on-line passenger information website.
Incorporate new technology features into new transit vehicles
Focus transit services on high activity areas and provide service to additional areas while maintaining short headways.

We believe the remainder of the recommendations from the 25^th Anniversary Committee should be incorporated into the Town’s 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan, or the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro 2025 Regional Transportation Plan as indicated as Table 1.

The 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan is currently under development and a draft is anticipated to be completed in July, 2000. The Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan was recently adopted by the Town Council and incorporated several of the recommendations of the 25^th Anniversary Committee Report. A draft 2025 Regional Transportation Plan is anticipated to be completed in August, 2000.

Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the attached resolution providing for evaluation and implementation of the Chapel Hill Transit 25^th Anniversary Final Report recommendations.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Table 1- Evaluation and Implementation Recommendations (p. 5)

2. Resolution (p. 9)

3. May 26, 1998 Council Memorandum (begin new page 1)

4. 25^th Anniversary Final Report (begin new page 1)

Table 1- Evaluation and Implementation Recommendations

25^thAnniversary Recommendations	Process for Further Evaluation and Implementation	Anticipated Fiscal Impacts
FY2001 Chapel Hill Transit Budget
1. Chapel Hill Transit should maintain autonomy but coordinate with DATA and TTA.	Continue to coordinate with TTA and DATA. Also evaluate in 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan.	None
2. Transit services should continue to focus on high activity areas, Town Center and University and provide service to additional areas while maintaining short headways.	Discussions between Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC concerning possible service expansions for FY2001 are ongoing.	Expansions of service will require additional vehicles and will increase operating budget.
3. Update bus stop signage and route information. All bus stops should have schedule information.	Provide route and schedule information at approximately 20 additional locations in fiscal year 2001. Evaluate need for additional investment in Short Range Transit Plan.	$4,000 in fiscal year 2001. Additional capital and operating funds would be required in future years.
4. Continue to publish comprehensive transit guide and develop on-line website with schedule and route information.	Include in fiscal year 2001	$10,000 to develop a website.
5. Maintain competitive wages and benefits for transit employees.	Include in fiscal year 2001	Increased operating expenses.
6. Chapel Hill Transit should implement new bus design and passenger information technologies.	Include in fiscal year 2001 and evaluate future opportunities in Short Range Transit Plan.	Incorporation of new technologies into bus design and implementing passenger information technologies could result in higher capital and operating costs.
2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan
7. Maintain a leadership role in providing efficient and innovative transit services	Address in Short Range Transit Plan, 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	None

25^thAnniversary Recommendations	Process for Further Evaluation and Implementation	Anticipated Fiscal Impacts
8. Coordinate with TTA and DATA.	Address in Short Range Transit Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	None
9. Continue to utilize State and federal funding.	Address in Short Range Transit Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	None
10 Retain current peak hour scheduling policy but develop “pulse” schedule for reduced, off-peak, evening and week end service.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan.	Implementation of “pulse” scheduling may result in higher operating costs.
11. Develop separate service standards for off-peak services	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan.	None
12. Develop separate peak and off peak service standards and evaluate start-up service with separate criteria.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan.	Separate off-peak and start-up service standards may result in additional operating costs
13. Extend services to areas anticipated for annexation and provide transit service at cost to areas outside Chapel Hill’s planning jurisdiction.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan.	Expanded transit service to areas not yet annexed may result in additional operating and capital costs.
14. Keep fares low as possible but users should continue to contribute to cost of the system.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan.	None
15. Maintain competitive wages and benefits for transit employees.	Address in FY2001 budget and Short Range Transit Plan	Increased operating budget
16. Monitor changes in service area population and develop service to meet additional needs.	Include in Short Range Transit Plan.	New services designed to meet the needs of new or underserved populations could result in higher capital and operating costs.
17. Expand marketing of transit services.	Address in FY2001 and Short Range Transit Plan.	Expanded marketing will require additional resources.

25^thAnniversary Recommendations	Process for Further Evaluation and Implementation	Anticipated Fiscal Impacts
18. To relieve congestion the Town should provide additional transit services along congested corridors, work to implement transportation demand management programs and develop regional fixed guideway.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan, 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	Additional transit services in congested corridors and service to fixed guideway corridors may require additional capital and operating funds.
19. Work with the Regional Air Quality Coalition to develop ozone alert response programs and implement additional transit services along congested corridors.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan, 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	Additional transit services in congested corridors may require additional capital and operating funds.
20. To take advantage of rising energy prices Chapel Hill Transit should continue to provide a convenient and efficient alternative to commuters.	Address in fiscal year 2001 and 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan.	Additional demand for transit services may result in increased operating costs. Higher energy prices will also result in higher operating costs for the transit system.
21. Monitor the impact of telecommuting and provide off-peak transit services if necessary.	Evaluate in Short Range Transit Plan.	Possible increases in operating budget.
22. Work to develop a regional transportation demand management program that emphasizes workplace incentive programs.	Evaluate in 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	Additional transit services may be necessary to compliment TDM program. This may require additional capital and operating funds.

2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and 2025 Regional Transportation Plan
23. Promote transit oriented land use in Town Center and University areas and provide connectivity to proposed fixed guideway system.	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and 2025 Regional Plan.	Provision of feeder service to a fixed guideway system may require additional capital and operating expenses.
24. Promote transit oriented land use throughout the community	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan	None
25. Redevelopment should be encouraged to increase transit use.	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan	None
26. Continue to limit parking in Town Center and University areas	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan	None
27. Work with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to match growth with transit services.	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and development of 2025 Regional Plan.	None
28. Chapel Hill should encourage growth that provides housing for all income ranges.	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan	None
29. The Town should work to implement a fixed guideway system linking Chapel Hill with Durham and RDU airport.	Address in implementation of 2000 Chapel Hill Comprehensive Plan and development of 2025 Regional Plan.	Additional local transit services may be necessary to provide access to fixed guideway stations.

A RESOLUTION DEVELOPING A PROCESS FOR EVALUATING AND IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE CHAPEL HILL 25^TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW COMMITTEE (2000-05-22/R-14)

WHEREAS, the Chapel Hill Town Council established the 25^th Anniversary Review Committee to assess the operations of the Chapel Hill Transit system and provide recommendations on improving the transit system; and

WHEREAS, the 25^th Anniversary Review Committee has completed its work and prepared a Final Report which includes a series of recommendations; and

WHEREAS, the Town Council has reviewed these recommendations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Council directs that the Town Manager to implement the following initiatives during the 2001 fiscal year.

Coordinate with Durham Transit and the Triangle Transit Authority to coordinate local and regional transit services.
Update bus stop route and passenger information Initiate a program to provide passenger information at each bus stop.
Develop and maintain an on-line passenger information website.
Incorporate new technology features into new transit vehicles
Focus transit services on high activity areas and provide service to additional areas while maintaining short headways.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the remainder of the 25^th Anniversary Committee’s recommendations be evaluated for implementation as part of the Chapel Hill Transit 2000-2006 Short Range Transit Plan, the Chapel Hill 2000 Comprehensive Plan or the 2025 Regional Transportation Plan, as identified in Table 1.

This the 22^nd day of May, 2000.