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service is being paid for with a grant from the Public Transit Division of the NCDOT and the <br />cities of Concord and Charlotte. Passengers are charged $2.00 for each trip which results in a <br />farebox recovery of about 20% of total cost~. <br /> <br />CONCLUSIONS <br /> <br />There is a clearly demonstrated need for scheduled transit service, particularly for ~ <br />essential trips such as social services, medical and shopping. <br /> <br />A strong demand for job-related trips will develop as a result of the Concord Mills <br />Mall project and related development. <br /> <br />Respondents from the survey of Department of the Aging clientele indicated a <br />willingness to use scheduled transit services in_lieu of current dial-a-fide services. <br /> <br />Rowan Transit Service reports that they have more requests for trips from S. Rowan <br />County into Cabarrus County than can be supplied. <br /> <br />Four (4) proposed transit routes have been developed that provide a strong level of <br />service to medical, social services, education, shopping, employment and higher- <br />density housing within the dynamic north-south corridor from China Grove to Concord <br />Mills Mall. <br /> <br />The routes proposed would connect to the existing Concord/Charlotte commuter service <br />at the Northeast Medical Center terminus and at Lowe's Motor Speedway. <br /> <br />There is the potential for private participation in funding the new service and this <br />should be pursued as plans for service implementation are formalized. <br /> <br />9iven ~e potential for lob-related trips, longer hours of service and weekend service- <br />s_h..ould be explored as part of the service implementation l)rocess. <br /> <br />RECOM34ENDATIONS <br /> <br />Implement all four proposed routes at the same time to provide the synergies among the ,.~ <br />routes and better corridor coverage. This will also provide a stronger perception of <br />service and better stimulate ridership. <br /> <br />Initial service should be contracted with a private contractor (operator) to allow the <br />development of locally based expertise in this specialized area. The possibility of <br />obtaining capital funding to purchase the busses and leasing them to the contract <br />operator for one dollar per year should be explored by the Contract Administrator. <br /> <br />Gonnett Fleming <br />ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS <br /> <br /> <br />