Research Triangle Park, N.C. - Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) and Orange Public Transportation will provide a new option for getting between Hillsborough, UNC and downtown Chapel Hill.

Beginning January 3, TTA Route 420 will run weekdays between downtown Hillsborough and UNC’s campus and hospital with a park-and-ride at the Triangle SportsPlex on Meadowland Drive in Hillsborough.

“We’re pleased to partner with Orange Public Transportation and offer this new and convenient service,” said TTA General Manager John Claflin. “With UNC as a major regional destination and a growing population in northern Orange County, the time is right to improve public transportation in this corridor.”  

TTA and Orange Public Transportation will hold a kick-off celebration for the service on Tuesday, January 17th at the Triangle SportsPlex in Hillsborough.  Rides will be free on Route 420 for the week of January 17-20.

"This is a significant improvement in transit service for us here in Orange County," said Alice Gordon, an Orange County Commissioner who is a member of the TTA Board of Trustees.  "Now, for the first time, residents can ride between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill throughout the day by bus, and then connect with transit service to other places in the region.  Also, the travel times between the two towns will be much faster than were ever available before, thereby providing a real alternative to commuting by car."

The service will be operated Monday-Friday by Orange Public Transportation, through a partnership with Triangle Transit Authority. “This need has been on our radar for a long time and I'm delighted that we have had such a successful collaboration,” said Bill Strom, Mayor Pro-Tem of Chapel Hill and a member of the TTA Board of Trustees. “Orange County, UNC and TTA have been remarkably creative in offering this route, and commuters, workers and citizens come up big winners as a result.”

Hillsborough to Chapel Hill Service begins each weekday at 6:15am.  Chapel Hill to Hillsborough service begins at 6:55am.  The one-way travel time will be approximately 40 minutes from downtown Hillsborough to UNC Hospital and 30 minutes from the Triangle SportsPlex park-and-ride. 

The price for a roundtrip day pass on the route will be $4.  The one-way cash fare will be $2.  Members of UNC’s Commuter Assistance Program can get great discounts on a regional 30-day pass or Semester Pass which are valid for travel on this route. Through the UNC Department of Safety or Neuroscience Building, CAP members can purchase a 30-day regional pass for $10 or a five-month Semester pass for $45.

TTA Route 420’s schedule is available on-line at:

www.rideTTA.org/Bus_Shuttle/Maps_Schedules/TTARoute420.html