AGENDA#5f

MEMORANDUM

TO:              Mayor and Town Council

FROM:        W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:   Information Report - Update on Request for Retail Shuttle Bus

DATE:        August 28, 2000

At its March 27, 2000 meeting, the Town Council authorized the Manager to pursue negotiations for a holiday shuttle service.  This was in response to a petition from a Council member, proposing a new shuttle bus route serving the community’s retail areas. This is an interim report on progress made to gauge interest by local retailers in conducting this shuttle bus project.

DISCUSSION

On August 11, 2000, an initial meeting with several interested parties was held to explain the concept of a holiday shuttle and to ask if they thought it was a worthwhile project and would they be willing to financially support it.  Attending this meeting were representatives from the Downtown Commission, the Chapel Hill – Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, University Mall, Rams Plaza, and A Southern Season. Others that have been or will be contacted include property managers for Eastgate and Village Plaza.  The initial response was favorable and was followed by some preliminary service planning to better define the scope of the service and the cost.  At this time, we are considering a shuttle service that would:

• Operate each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between Thanksgiving and Christmas (fifteen days of service)
• Operate approximately six hours per day.
• Have service frequency of 30-40 minutes (one bus) or 15-20 minutes (two buses).
• Cost between $5,000 – $10,000 depending on the service frequency selected.
• Have the entire cost covered by contributions from the participating retailers.

One issue we are studying with the property managers of Eastgate is the weight carrying capacity of the road that bisects the shopping center to determine if operating our buses would damage the stormwater culverts.  At their request, we have supplied them with the weight specifications of our various size buses and will let them make the final determination.

We will report to the Council after further progress is made in discussions.