For Immediate Release:

August 18, 2006

Media Contact: Chris Shigas @ French West Vaughan

919-308-1816

Triangle Regional Rail System To Take New Direction

TTA Removes Planned Rail System from Federal New Starts Process

Research Triangle Park, N.C. - The Board of Trustees of the Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) next week will be asked to remove the Triangle Regional Rail Project from the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts Process, due to recent changes in federal criteria.

If taken, the action will follow a staff recommendation from General Manager John Claflin.

“The funding guidelines governing this project have continually evolved making it difficult for TTA to meet the requirements set by the FTA without diluting the value to the community,” said TTA Chairman of the Board Carter Worthy. “The design of the Regional Rail Project is complete and over 90% of the right-of-way is secured.  By removing ourselves from the federal New Starts process, we now have the flexibility to work directly with the community to develop a transit system that meets the transportation needs of the Triangle. We believe this should include regional rail.”

 “Although we will continue to work with FTA on other partnerships that may lead to federal assistance in building a rail system, we look forward to exploring new options with our community, and delivering this project the way our community intended it to be built,” Claflin said. 

TTA’s goal is to enhance a network of transportation options in the Triangle that includes regional bus service, vanpool, carpool and regional rail.  Current regional bus and shuttle services, vanpools, ridematching and paratransit services continue to be well-received and have shown ridership increases, reflecting a national trend coinciding with rising congestion and higher gas prices.

Worthy said, “Doing nothing is not an option. Anyone who drives on I-40 in rush hour can see there is a real need. Rail is an important component to the transportation and economic development plans for the Triangle.  Our number one responsibility is to meet the growing demands of our community and deliver a solution that meets long-term needs.” 

Click here to see the latest Questions & Answers on the Regional Rail Project.