Pittsboro bus line has limited success

Chapel Hill Transit’s first extension beyond the county borders to Pittsboro has had limited success in its first week.

It’s carried between nine and 15 people daily from Chatham County into Chapel Hill, said Brian Litchfield, assistant transit director for Chapel Hill Transit.

But even though the numbers are low, Litchfield said they are good for the first week, and he expects the line to become more popular.

The PX bus line started running Aug. 31. It operates during commuter times, from about 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from about 4:40 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Of the three trips the bus makes to Chapel Hill each morning, the second, which leaves at about 7 a.m., has been the most popular.

Two farmers rode the first bus that left from Pittsboro around 6:10 a.m. Tuesday. They were the only two passengers.

Jack West, one of the farmers, said they travel to Carrboro often.

“Yeah, we just have bikes, so we usually bike up there,” the other farmer, Adah Frase, added.

They said they appreciated the environmental benefits of a bus.

The Abundance Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Pittsboro, is one of the organizations that pushed for the new line.

“I would like to educate people and get them to use it more,” said Tami Schwerin, executive director of the foundation. “The Abundance Foundation focuses on renewable energy, so anything to keep cars off the road, we’re all for it.”

She said they have a lot commuters that work in Chapel Hill, and likewise, Chapel Hill residents who commute to Pittsboro.

Litchfield said this is the first time Chapel Hill Transit has made an agreement with another town.

“This is a unique partnership,” he said.

Chapel Hill Transit charges $3 one way or $65 for a monthly pass to ride this line. For a daily commuter, a monthly pass could be cheaper.

Some University students and employees can ride for free, according to a newsletter the UNC Department of Public Safety sent Monday.

To bypass the fare, commuters must be part of the Commuter Alternative Program, which provides free commuter parking and transportation to campus from designated lots.

Grants coordinator Carmen Cole said the project was granted more than $350,000 for 18 months.

The grant covers half of the line’s cost, and the other half is paid for by Chatham County and Pittsboro, Litchfield said.

Before Chapel Hill Transit evaluates the efficiency of the line, the bus will run at least nine months so the ridership can grow.


Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.