View source for Chapel Hill Transit

{{Short description|Public transportation service in North Carolina, US}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name            = Chapel Hill Transit
| logo            = Chapel Hill Transit logo.png
| logo_size       = 130
| image           = 2008-07-11 Chapel Hill bus passing South Building.jpg
| image_caption   = 
| parent          = 
| founded         = 1974
| headquarters    = 6900 Millhouse Road<br />[[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]]
| locale          = 
| service_area    = [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]], [[Carrboro, North Carolina|Carrboro]], and [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|UNC]]
| service_type    = [[bus service]], [[paratransit]]
| alliance        = 
| routes          = 24
| destinations    = 
| stops           = 
| hubs            =
| stations        = 
| lounge          = 
| fleet           = 105
| ridership = {{American transit ridership|NC Chapel Hill total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|NC Chapel Hill total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| fuel_type       = 
| operator        = 
| ceo             = 
| website         = {{URL|chtransit.org}}
}}
'''Chapel Hill Transit''' operates public [[bus]] and [[van]] transportation services within the contiguous municipalities of [[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]] and [[Carrboro]] and the campus of the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] in the southeast corner of [[Orange County, North Carolina|Orange County]] in the [[Research Triangle]] metropolitan region of [[North Carolina]]. Chapel Hill Transit operates its fixed route system fare free due to a contractual agreement with the two towns and the university to share annual operating and capital costs. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|NC Chapel Hill total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|NC Chapel Hill total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}.

== History ==
In the early 1970s, during the administration of Chapel Hill Mayor [[Howard Nathaniel Lee]], the Public Transportation Study Committee was formed, consisting of representatives from the Towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and UNC. The committee then received a [[Federal Transit Administration|Federal Urban Mass Transit Administration]] grant to examine the suitability of a permanent transit system. Town voters approved a $350,000 [[bond (finance)|bond]] [[referendum]] for local match for [[Capital (economics)|capital]] and a $.10/$100 valuation [[ad valorem tax]] to support transit operations.<ref name="townsite">Town of Chapel Hill, NC. [http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=72 Transportation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908225417/http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=72|date=September 8, 2006}}. Retrieved September 8, 2006.</ref> Chapel Hill Transit began operations in August 1974 as a department of the Town of Chapel Hill government. Prior to Chapel Hill Transit, the UNC Student Government operated a campus shuttle system from 1968 until 1974. The Transit Director reports to the [[Town manager|Town Manager]], who is responsible to the [[Town council|Town Council]]. A citizen advisory committee, the Transportation Board, makes recommendations to the Town Council on transportation and traffic issues.<ref name=townsite /> A plan adopted by the Town Council in 1977 included a set of transportation goals which specifically encourage transit over automobile use in the central areas of Chapel Hill.<ref name=townsite /> Although the transit system is operated by the town of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and UNC are financial partners in the operations.<ref name=townsite /> System expenses are allocated based upon population. Carrboro began purchasing transit services in the [[fiscal year]] 1977–1978 with [[revenue sharing]] funds. In the fall of 1980, Carrboro approved a $.10/$100 valuation ad valorem tax to pay for transit service.<ref name=townsite /> In fiscal year 1980–1981 the Carrboro contract first included the EZ Rider.<ref name=townsite />

[[File:Chapel Hill Transit Average Daily Ridership.pdf|250px|thumb|right|Chapel Hill Transit, Average Daily Ridership, 2002–2016]]

[[File:Chapel Hill Transit Bus Stop.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Digitized signs showing the estimated arrival times of buses.]]
In 1992, Chapel Hill Transit teamed up with the Triangle Clean Cities Coalition and Ebus, a California company that manufactures electric buses, to demonstrate a 22-passenger bus that promised cleaner air and reduced dependence on foreign fuels.<ref>[http://www.trianglecleancities.org/pr-03.htm Hybrid-electric Bus Offers an Alternative to Air Pollution and Foreign Oil in Chapel Hill]</ref> This vehicle demonstration followed an earlier one arranged by the Public Transportation Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. In the earlier demonstration, a Transteq hybrid bus was transported from daily use in [[Denver, Colorado]], and made available for test drives on the Chapel Hill Transit lot. In February 2006, K. Stephen Spade, a former Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Authority employee, was hired as the transportation director for the Town of Chapel Hill.<ref>[http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=921 Town of Chapel Hill – Town Manager Announces New Transportation Director] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060725215931/http://www.townofchapelhill.org/index.asp?NID=921 |date=July 25, 2006 }}</ref> In August 2006, Chapel Hill Transit announced that their buses will be equipped with [[GPS]] tracking devices, allowing the bus riders to check the arrival time of the buses using the [[internet]] and their [[cell phone]]. The project was completed by [[NextBus]] Inc. Fourteen bus stops would also have digitized signs showing the estimated arrival times of buses. These signs were controversial, as the cost of installing them was almost $1&nbsp;million. In September 2006, Chapel Hill Transit announced plans to begin purchasing hybrid buses. The town planned to buy as many as nineteen new buses: three hybrids, several extra-long and the rest standard size. In October 2006, the Chapel Hill Town Council approved the purchase of sixteen new Chapel Hill Transit buses at a cost of $5.8 million from [[Gillig]] Corp. Federal grants provided about $5.2 million, and the town provided approximately $600,000 in local funds. Three of these sixteen new buses run on [[hybrid vehicle|diesel-electric drivetrains]]. The rest of the buses are mostly powered by Detroit Diesel series 50 engines. The buses, delivered in July 2007, expanded the system and replaced older buses. The town had an additional $1.7&nbsp;million in federal funding which was sufficient to purchase four 60-foot articulated buses, each with two sections that allow them to flex in the middle. All of the purchased buses were low-floor buses with interior floors at curb level.

== Fixed Route Service ==
The Chapel Hill Transit system consists of 20 routes, however, during weekends, only 9 routes run. 3 of the weekday routes are considered express routes and are designated with an X, with the exception of route 420. The basic hours of operation are from early morning to evening. Connections to [[GoTriangle]], Orange County Transportation Authority, and [[Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation|PART]] are available at Manning Drive. Each fixed route vehicle is equipped with a [[Bicycle carrier|bike rack]], which can take two bikes, and Wi-Fi.

[[File:Chapel Hill Transit Shared Ride Van.jpg|205x205px|thumb|The Shared Ride Feeder service is available for passengers from areas that do not receive regular bus service.]]

A Senior Shuttle route operates weekdays making 7 stops each hour, in a loop, to destinations in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The Senior Shuttle route uses alternative vehicles to accommodate passengers with restricted mobility.

All fixed routes and special service routes are [[Free public transport|fare free]]. The Tar Heel Express charges a $3 one way and $5 round trip fee for rides.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Rider Guide|last=Chapel Hill Transit|publisher=Town of Chapel Hill|year=2018}}</ref>

=== Route List ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Route !! colspan="3" | Destinations
|-
|'''A'''|| '''Colonial Heights'''<br/><small>Weiner St</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''University Drive'''
|-
|'''B'''|| '''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>Mason Farm Rd</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Ronald McDonald House'''
|-
|'''CL'''|| '''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>East Dr at Jackson Circle</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Old Sterling Dr'''<br/><small>Eastowne Dr</small>
|-
|'''CM'''|| rowspan="2" |'''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>Pittsboro St</small>
! rowspan="2" |'''↔'''
|'''Jones Ferry'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''CW'''
|'''NC-54'''<br/><small>Old Fayetteville Rd</small>
|-
|'''D'''|| '''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>East Dr at Jackson Circle</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Old Chapel Hill Rd'''<br/><small>Huse St</small>
|-
|'''F''' || '''Colony Woods Dr'''<br/><small>Overland Drive</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Jones Ferry'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''G'''|| '''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>Manning Drive</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Booker Creek Apartments'''
|-
|'''HS'''|| colspan="3" |'''Morris Grove Elementary'''
|-
|'''J'''||'''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>Pittsboro St at Credit Union</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Rock Haven Road'''
|-
|'''N'''|| '''Estes Park Apartments'''
!'''↔'''
|'''Friday Center'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''NS'''|| '''Eubanks Road'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''Southern Village'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''NU'''|| '''UNC-Chapel Hill''' <br/><small>Manning Drive</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''RR Lot''' <br/><small> Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''S'''|| rowspan="2" |'''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>S Columbia St at South Rd</small>
! rowspan="2" |'''↔'''
|'''Friday Center'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''T'''
|'''E. Chapel Hill High School'''<br/><small>Weaver Dairy Rd</small>
|-
|'''RU'''
| colspan="3" rowspan="2" |'''UNC Loop Shuttle'''
|-
|'''U''' 
|-
! colspan="4" | Express Routes {{pipe}} Rush Hours Only
|-
|'''CCX'''
| rowspan="3" |'''UNC-Chapel Hill'''<br/><small>Manning Drive</small>
!'''↔'''
|'''[[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham County]]'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''FCX'''
!'''↔'''
|'''[[Friday Center for Continuing Education|Friday Center]]'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''JFX'''
!'''↔'''
|'''Jones Ferry Road'''<br/><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
! colspan="4" |Other Routes
|-
|'''420'''
|'''[[Chapel Hill, North Carolina|Chapel Hill]]'''
!'''↔'''
|[[Hillsborough, North Carolina|'''Hillsborough''']]
|}

==== Safe Ride Service ====
The Safe Ride program is funded by the University of North Carolina to provide safe overnight service while UNC Chapel Hill is in session. It only runs on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 3 "Safe Ride" routes operate on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday late evenings when the university is in session. They all start in the Varsity Theater in E Franklin Street. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Safe Ride Program {{!}} Town of Chapel Hill, NC |url=https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/transit/safe-ride-program |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=www.townofchapelhill.org |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Route
! colspan="3" |Destination
|-
|'''J'''
| rowspan="3" |'''Varsity Theater'''
!'''↔'''
|'''The Village Apartments'''
|-
|'''G'''
!'''↔'''
|'''[[Friday Center for Continuing Education|Friday Center]]'''<br /><small>Park & Ride</small>
|-
|'''T'''
!'''↔'''
|'''Westminster Circle'''
|}

==== Tar Heel Express Shuttles ====
Chapel Hill Transit operates a "Tar Heel Express" special event shuttle service for [[North Carolina Tar Heels football|UNC Football]] and [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|Men's Basketball]] home games, in addition to special events. The shuttles provide continuous and fully accessible service, running every 10 to 15 minutes between the park and rides and [[Kenan Memorial Stadium]] or [[Dean Smith Center|Dean E. Smith Center]]. Service ends 45 minutes after the game ends.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!'''Pick-Up Locations'''
!Begins
|-
|'''Friday Center'''
|1.5 hours before game time
|-
|'''Southern Village'''
|2 hours before game time
|-
|'''Downtown Chapel Hill'''
|1.5 hours before game time
|}

=== Discontinued Routes ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Designation !! Route
!End Date
!Replacement Route(s)
|-
|CPX|| Carrboro Plaza Express
|August 3, 2020
|CW
|-
|HU||[[UNC Hospitals]]/NC 54 Park & Ride/Hedrick Building
|August 3, 2020
|B
|-
|V|| [[Southern Village, North Carolina|Southern Village]]/Meadowmont
|August 3, 2020
|N
|}

== Paratransit ==
A fare free "EZ Rider" [[paratransit]] service provides a [[demand responsive transport|demand-responsive transit]] service for the [[disability|handicapped]] and elderly that are unable to use the regular fixed route service.<ref name="townsite" /> The service operates from morning to evening on weekdays and on Saturdays. Advanced reservations and enrollment are required.<ref name=":0" />

== Park & Ride ==
Chapel Hill Transit operates 3 [[Park and ride|Park & Ride]] lots throughout Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Parking fees are $2/day and can be paid using an on-site meter or the [[ParkMobile|Parkmobile]] app. Monthly and annual permits are available for $21/month and $250/year. The University of North Carolina operates 4 other Park & Ride lots. Permitting for these lots is administered through the university's Commuter Alternatives Program (CAP) Office. [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|UNC]]'s Park & Ride lots are for UNC Employees and Students only; no public/daily parking is available. UNC Park & Ride permits are honored in all Chapel Hill Transit Park & Ride lots.<ref name=":0" />

=== Chapel Hill Transit Park & Ride Lots ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Lot
!Location
!Served By
!Parkmobile Zone
|-
|Eubanks Road
|On Eubanks Rd, 1/2 mi west of MLK Jr Blvd
|NS & CRX (GoTriangle)
|8801
|-
|Jones Ferry
|Just south of Old Fayetteville Rd and Jones Ferry Rd
|CM, F, & JFX
|8802
|-
|[[Southern Village, North Carolina|Southern Village]]
|Just off US 15-501 South
|NS
|8804
|}

=== UNC Park & Ride Lots ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Lot
!Location
!Served By
|-
|[[Friday Center for Continuing Education|Friday Center]]
|On Friday Center Dr and NC 54
|FCX
|-
|MLK Jr Blvd
|725 MLK Jr. Blvd
|G, NS, T
|-
|NC 54 East
|Friday Center Dr and NC 54
|S
|-
|[[Chatham County, North Carolina|Chatham County]]
|US 15-501 near Old Lystra
|CCX
|}

== Bus Rapid Transit ==
Chapel Hill Transit is planning to build an 8.2 mile North-South [[Bus rapid transit|Bus Rapid Transit]] (NSBRT) to run from the Eubanks Road Park & Ride lot (a northern terminus) and Southern Village (the southern terminus) and points in between. The route follows NC 86 (MLK Jr. Blvd.) from the northern edge of Chapel Hill into downtown, then follows Columbia St through the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, and continues along US 15-501 to Southern Village. The proposed route is based on the NS route which consistently has the highest ridership of all routes. Projected cost is $96-105.9 million with $50-75 million provided by federal funding, to commence passenger service in 2028 and projected 12,000 daily trips (in 2040) with an annual operating cost of $3.4 million. The NSBRT will run every 8 minutes during peak hours and every 10-20 minutes in off-peak hours. The existing NS bus route is expected to be replaced by the NSBRT. Along most of the corridor, NSBRT will operate in dedicated lanes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nsbrt.org/faq/general-public/|title=NSBRT – General Public FAQ|last=Chapel Hill Transit|date=2018}}</ref>

=== Proposed BRT Stations ===

# Eubanks Park & Ride
# Weaver Dairy Road
# New Parkside
# Northfield
# Piney Mountain
# Estes
# Hillsborough
# [[Franklin Street (Chapel Hill)|Franklin]]
# Cameron (northbound)
# Carrington Hall (northbound)
# Pittsboro / Credit Union (southbound)
# Manning / East
# NC 54
# Culbreth
# Southern Village Park & Ride

== See also ==
*[[Chapel Hill, North Carolina]]
*[[Carrboro, North Carolina]]
*[[GoTriangle]]
*[[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]
*[[Public transport]]
*[[Bus rapid transit]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.chtransit.org/ Chapel Hill Transit]

{{Chapel Hill-Carrboro}}
{{Durham-Chapel Hill Metropolitan Area}}

[[Category:Bus transportation in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Companies based in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, North Carolina]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]