Transportation

Orange Public Transportation (OPT) was established by the Orange County Board of Commissioners to serve the general public and the clients of community service agencies, primarily in rural areas of the County. The OPT program, a division of the Orange County Department on Aging, offers bus and van service outside the Chapel Hill/Carrboro city limits including planing and coordinating for county residents with transportation needs. The Orange County Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) comprised of agencies, representatives and systems, advises OPT on it's operations and recommends policy to the Board of Commissioners.

OPT serves all of Orange County outside Chapel Hill and Carrboro city limits. Within those towns, Chapel Hill Transit provides scheduled bus service and E-Z Rider service for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
OPT connects with Chapel Hill Transit and Triangle Transit Authority, which provides weekday bus service to Durham, Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park.

Transportation Information and Assistance
An OPT transportation coordinator helps any county resident in need of transportation. The coordinator develops a transportation plan with the resident, using public services and private providers in Orange County.
Residents (60+) who cannot afford Chapel Hill Transit bus passes are welcome to apply for free passes from OPT. The availability of free passes depends on current funding.

The Orange County Donated Vehicle Ownership Program is coordinated by the Department on Aging in cooperation with the Department of Social Services and the Commission of Women. The program provides an opportunity for citizens to receive a tax credit by donating vehicles to eligible Orange County residents who are in a transportation crisis and/or are in a low-income category. The purpose of the program is to provide clients with transportation for work related activities.

General Public Bus Service
OPT operates two fixed routes for the general public. Schedules and route maps are available through OPT. The Orange Express route runs four times a day, Monday through Friday, between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill/Carrboro.
It connects with Chapel Hill Transit and TTA routes. Limited distance route deviations may be made for disabled persons and subscription riders.

Route schedules for the Orange Express and Chapel Hill Transit and TTA, are available from each agency.

Feeder Transfer Service
People who live in certain areas of the county without regular bus service can arrange to be taken from a pickup point to the nearest bus stop. The dispatcher will schedule the trip as close as possible to the desired time and coordinate transfer to the correct bus.

Special Agency Bus and Van Services
OPT transports clients of Orange County community service organizations, such as the Department of Social Services and the Orange Enterprises Inc. routes, operated under contract, transport people with ongoing transportation needs. The service is open to the general public, but seating is limited, with priority for people with employment and training needs.

Special Door-to-Door Van Service
OPT offers Orange County residents transportation from their residence to their medical care providers. Non-emergency Door-to-door transportation to area medical facilities (Orange and Durham counties) or the closest provider can be arranged with three working days notice. Special rates are available to senior citizens, disabled and Medicaid eligible residents. The service is also available to the general public.

Plans are under way to offer transportation for employment, business, shopping and other types of trips.

Special Event Trips
Qualifying agencies and community service groups are invited to lease vehicles for preplanned trips to locations within and outside Orange County.

This service is offered based upon availability and requires advanced notice for scheduling. Favorite destinations include the North Carolina Zoo, the N.C. State Fair, and the many area shopping malls.