Research Triangle Park, N.C. – The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) has begun an intensive public outreach program to seek input for its strategic investment program for Bus, Vanpool and Paratransit Services. 

In announcing upcoming public events, TTA General Manager David King said, “This is a great opportunity for us to get out into the community and listen to what folks think we ought to be doing to develop services, facilities and amenities that will support our mission of providing regional public transportation. Our ridership has risen dramatically over the last year and we want to find out what the public thinks TTA needs to do to continue this trend.”

The planning process is intended to be a complement to the extensive work that has   gone into defining future transit corridors.  The public’s involvement will help to “define the TTA experience,” focusing on the characteristics of the services.  TTA seeks the public’s feedback on:

• how to improve existing services
• providing quality service, and not just quantity of routes
• new vehicle design choices for upcoming purchases

TTA staff will be holding public workshops around the regional all day on Wednesday, November 1, bringing with them a few of the newer, most technologically advanced buses available on the market today.  Those attending will be able to walk onboard, kick the tires, and take a survey about what they would like to see in the next generation of TTA buses. 

The locations and times are listed below:

CHAPEL HILL

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

On Franklin St., by the Morehead Planetarium

RALEIGH

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

On Fayetteville St., south of Davie St.

DURHAM

1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Fernway St. at Washington St., one block from DATA Terminal

RTP

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

TTA Transfer Center

6 Park Drive at Exit 280

Later in November, TTA will hold Community Meetings on TTA’s Strategic Plan:

DURHAM

Monday, November 13, 2006 from 5:00-8:00 PM

Stanford L Warren Branch Library

1201 Fayetteville Street

CARY

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from 5:00-8:00 PM

Bond Park Senior Citizen Center                                                                           (High House Road between Cary Parkway & NW Maynard Road)

150 Metro Park Drive

RALEIGH

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 from 5:00-8:00 PM

Urban Design Center

133 Fayetteville Street

CHAPEL HILL

Thursday, November 16, 2006 from 5:00-8:00 PM

Chapel Hill Public Library

100 Library Drive

Recommendations are expected to go to the TTA Board of Trustees in Spring 2007.

TTA is a regional public service provider, offering a wide variety of transit and vanpool services to North Carolina's greater Triangle Region and outlying counties.  Bus service is available to Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Garner, Hillsborough, RDU International Airport, Research Triangle Park and Raleigh.  The Triangle Transit Authority also    provides commuter resources and hosts GoTriangle.org, the on-line resource for public transportation in the Triangle.

TTA is the implementation agency responsible for carrying out a regional plan to build a rail transit system with stations connecting Durham, RTP, Cary and Raleigh, with shuttles linking RDU International Airport and Research Triangle Park. For more information, visit www.rideTTA.org or call (919) 549-9999.