When will this route enter service?

TTA's new route connecting Hillsborough and Chapel Hill will go into service in January 2006.  It was originally proposed to open in August 2005, but as part of the TTA budgeting process for FY 06, its implementation was delayed until January 2006. 

Where will this route stop between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill? 

TTA's new route will cover a lot of the territory covered by Orange Public Transport's (OPT) "Orange Express" route.  However, the TTA service would provide a significantly faster connection between the two towns with a greater number of daily trips.  Stops on the route will include:

• NC 70 at NC 86 in Hillsborough
• Downtown Hillsborough along Churton St
• Triangle Sportsplex (Park-and-Ride)
• NC 86 near "new" Wal-mart
• NC 86/Airport Rd/MLK Blvd @ Homestead Rd.
• Downtown Chapel Hill (Franklin St @ N Columbia St)
• UNC Hospital

Maps of Proposed Route

New Orange Express (Web Format-JPG)

New Orange Express (Print Format-PDF)

What are the benefits of the proposed service?

The new Orange Express will provide seven more daily trips between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough than the existing service operated by OPT, cutting the NC86/NC70 to UNC Hospital time from over one hour to approximately 35 minutes. 

This time savings will be achieved by eliminating several stops along the route and encouraging passengers to transfer to Chapel Hill Transit to reach University Mall, Carrboro, and other destinations in the Chapel Hill Transit service area. 

Triangle Sportsplex has agreed to provide a park-and-ride opportunity for passengers as well at their facility. 

The proposed schedule is listed below. 

NC86/NC70	UNC Hospital
6:30 AM	7:05 AM
7:40 AM	8:15 AM
8:50 AM	9:25 AM
10:00 AM	10:35 AM
11:10 AM	11:45 AM
12:20 PM	12:55 PM
1:30 PM	2:05 PM
2:40 PM	3:15 PM
3:50 PM	4:25 PM
5:00 PM	5:35 PM
6:10 PM	6:45 PM

Fare for the new service will be the same as all other TTA services: $2.00.  Please see the Fares & Passes webpage for more details on paying TTA fares. 

 

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