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requirements and to find out why people are and axe not riding. This is, in fact, an ongoing <br />process for successful transit properties. <br /> <br />The following are the study recommendations: <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 />3. The City of Concord should be the Contract Administrator for the operations contract. <br /> <br />_TI3_e initial "fleet" of busses should be 22 to 25 passenaeG l_ift exa_uip?xt buxes. This will <br />more effectively meet the level of needs and more easily access the neighborhoods that <br />will probably yield a majority of the initial system riders. <br /> <br />Ther,e should be a two-year minimum commitment by funding participants (public and <br />p~vate sector). It takes that long to convince people that it is a real transit service and <br />that they can depend on its being around for them. Also, it will provide an opportunity <br />to fine-tune and modify the routes to attract as many riders as possible. <br /> <br />~Operational support should be squght from NCDOT far the near and lorn, er-terms. <br />Remaining costs should be divided among the municipalities served by the routes <br />according to a prorated formula. This formula can be based on vehicle miles or hours <br />or some combination of those or other indicators. <br /> <br />Private sector funding should be sought to reduce the local share commitment. One <br />opportunity may be the Concord Mills Mall to meet their need for employees that is <br />projected to number in the thousands. <br /> <br />Qnl¥ _a nominal f~,re should be charged to encourage rider~hin. A fare of $ 0.50 is <br />appropriate and well below the goin[ rate of about $ 1.25 or more throushout the <br />country. <br /> <br />Gannett Fleming <br />ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS <br /> <br />55 <br /> <br /> <br />