Bus line to connect County

By this August, Orange County residents will have access to more parts of the county via a new bus route that will run between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill.

The Orange County Board of Commissioners instructed the Triangle Transit Authority on Tuesday night to present plans for implementing the new route to its Operations and Finance Committee on March 3.

The plan is for the new route — which will run from U.S. Highway 70 and N.C. 86 in Hillsborough to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill — to be funded by both TTA and Orange Public Transportation at 75 percent and 25 percent of the $113,839 yearly cost, respectively.

“I think this is an exciting opportunity to have a partnership between TTA and OPT,” said OPT Director Jerry Passmore.

County Commissioner Alice Gordon, like other commissioners, supported the idea.

“This could greatly improve transportation in Orange County for people who want to get out of their automobiles or are just too old to drive,” she said.

The heart of the discussion Tuesday centered on whether to make the route a one-year demonstration or give it a more permanent schedule.

TTA Transit Service Planner Patrick McDonough said the difference between the two ideas is that it would be easier to eliminate a one-year demonstration route.

“A demonstration sends the message up front that the project is short-term and can be considered for elimination,” he said.

McDonough recommended a four-year plan for the route.

He added that from start to finish, it will be a faster route than the one now provided by OPT.

“The new route will be approximately 20 minutes faster, and it will allow for 11 runs in one day as opposed to the five it currently makes,” he said.

McDonough also said he recommended a long-term plan for the route because the Triangle SportsPlex in Hillsborough will offer parking spaces for patrons on the bus line to park and ride.

Orange County Planning Director Craig Benedict said the creation of the new route is necessary because of recent regulations that will affect car emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency designated the county as a non-attainment zone last April.

“Orange County reached the non-attainment level by not meeting goals set by the EPA for air quality,” Benedict said.

“Implementing this new transportation program is the first step to improving that situation.”

Effective March 1, TTA will require a $2 fare for routes that go between the two towns. The new route will be no exception, McDonough said.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.