Five collaboratively defined core values guide the transit investment decisions in Orange County. These include equity, environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, affordable and attainable quality of life, and transportation and access for all.
Potential projects were considered by asking four key questions:
- Is the project identified as an unfunded or emerging priority by transit service providers? (i.e., projects we know are important, but we haven’t had enough money to implement)
- Does the improvement meet needs expressed by public? (i.e., projects that support more frequent transit and/or transit service more hours per day and more days per week)
- Does the improvement reflect identified community values? (i.e., projects that support equity, environmental sustainability, economic prosperity, affordable and attainable quality of life, transportation and/or access for all)
- Does the project support the conceptual transit vision or fill a regional connectivity gap? (i.e., projects that support connections between Orange County and Alamance County, Durham County, and beyond)
Approximately $330,000 is available each year between 2021-2025 for new or enhanced transit service in Orange County (in addition to all the services and improvements already operating and/or funded). This increases to just under $9 million per year (2036-2040), which is why more projects are planned to be implemented in late years. The proposed projects reflect a balance of the transit needs you’ve shared with us and the transit tax revenues projected to be available to Orange County.
CW Route SERVICE Improvements
Route description: Provides service between Carrboro and UNC via W. Main, Weaver St., and W. Franklin St.
Project Description: Increase midday service to 30 minutes (weekdays)
Cost: $177,000 Net New Revenue Hours: 1,500 Implementation Year: 2023
HS Route SERVICE Improvements
Route description: Provides weekday-only service between Morris Grove Elem. and Smith Level Road via Rogers Road, Homestead, and MLK, Jr. Blvd.
Project Description: Add weekend service every 70 minutes from 8 AM – 6:30 PM
Cost: $138,886 Net New Revenue Hours: 1,177 Implementation Year: 2025
NS Route SERVICE Improvements
Route description: Provides high-frequency service between Eubanks Rd. Park & Ride and Southern Village Park & Ride via NC 86; planned BRT route
Project Description: Improve morning peak frequency to every 6 minutes; Saturday service until 11 PM; Sunday service until 9 PM
Cost: $271,400 (plus $1,680,000 in additional capital costs for vehicles to support improved frequency) Net New Revenue Hours: 2,300 Implementation Year: 2027
Mobility on Demand (MOD) Improvements
Route description: Provides on-demand, life-line transit service in difficult to serve locations currently lacking transit service, M-F 8 AM-5 PM
Project Description: Expand service from two to five days per week
Cost: $271,400 Net New Revenue Hours: 3,200 Implementation Year: 2023
US 15-501 SERVICE Improvements
Route Descriptions:
Route 400/405 provides inter-county service between Carrboro and Durham Station via UNC and Patterson Place; Route D provides service between Mason Farm Road on UNC’s campus and Pope Road, just west of I-40; Route J provides service between Rock Haven Road and UNC via Jones Ferry Road and Smith Level Road
Project Descriptions:
Route 400/405: 15-minute midday service; extend Sunday and evening service; Route D extend service to Patterson Place, provide Saturday service until 9 PM; Route J: AM peak frequency improved to 10 minutes; 15-minute service until noon; Saturday service until 11 PM; Sunday service until 9 PM
Cost: $1,093,064 (Route 400/405; assumes a 50/50 operating cost share with Durham County;) $625,400 (Route D; assumes a 40/60 operating cost share between Durham and Orange Counties + $650,000 in capital costs); $377,600 (Route J + $1,200,000 in capital costs)
Net New Revenue Hours: 8,176 (400/405); 5,300 (Route D); 3,200 (Route J)
Implementation Year: 2026
