SUMMARY OF TRANSPORTATION BOARD ACTION

Subject:                       Bus Service in Southern Village

Meeting Date:            May 7, 2002

Recommendation:         The Transportation Board voted 9-0 to recommend to the Council that routing and service levels on the V Route through Southern Village remain unchanged with one exception.  The exception being that the start of service begins 30 minutes later in the morning and extends 30 minutes later in the evening.

Comment:         The Board, after receiving comment from several public forums and numerous e-mails, continues to feel that public transportation is an integral design element of the Southern Village area and should continue to be provided in its existing format.  There were public comments presented regarding use of small buses, shuttle routes and route revisions and elimination of service.  There was divided public opinion on what option was best for Chapel Hill and for Southern Village.

The Board felt the Southern Village development offered the greatest potential for reducing the amount of auto and truck traffic in the Chapel Hill area.  The Board noted that ridership is increasing and felt that as more people learn about the public bus system more folks will use it.  The Board was concerned about the reports of noise, idling buses, traffic violations and not noticing children.  Staff assures us that drivers are trained to be safe and courteous.  These problems should not now be occurring.  If they are observed, the public is urged to report it so action can be taken.  Board members obtained information about safety and felt that buses did not increase the risks but in fact decreased the risks of accidents.  The newer buses will be somewhat quieter.  The small buses were not recommended because they may fill at peak times and would also require additional connections for riders to go outside the neighborhood.  We suggest running the bus 30 minutes later so more folks could use the V for evening events and classes downtown and at the University.

There was discussion among Board Members on whether the V route should run all day or whether during the mid-day the V route should not run and the driver time could be allocated on weekends or on other service needs.  The majority felt it was important to run the same route throughout the day so riders could depend on it for transportation.  Others felt that during the mid-day, resources could be better spent elsewhere.  Everyone felt the V route service should be provided to both the residential and commercial areas of the Village and that it should continue the current route.  The 9-0 vote reflects that desire.

Vote:                9-0         Aye:   Cianciolo, Schroeder, Neville, Howe, Hintz, Dobbins, Lathrop, Hampton, Sayle

Prepared by:                 Loren Hintz Chair, Chapel Hill Transportation Board

                                    Rick Hannegan, Assistant Transportation Director, Staff