Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of Orange County MOD (Mobility On Demand), an innovative pilot program that will provide flexible and dynamic transportation service within the Hillsborough service area. Scheduled to start Friday, March 5, Orange County’s MOD program will cost $5 per trip and will be available on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Similar to services provided by transportation networking companies like Uber and Lyft, Orange County MOD users will have the option to request a same-day ride through a smartphone app called “TransLoc.” The app will provide passengers with an estimated pick-up time, track the MOD van’s location in real-time, and alert them when their ride is about to arrive.
With accessibility being a critical component to the program, MOD vans will accommodate riders with disabilities. Customers without smartphones will also be able to request or schedule MOD service by calling 919-245-2008 or by going online to http://ondemand.transloc.com. Wait times for MOD service will be subject to vehicle availability and demand.
“We are excited to offer this new service and provide Hillsborough with a safe, affordable, and comfortable travel option,” said Theo Letman, Orange County Transportation Services Director. “While we appreciate the comparisons to Uber and Lyft, I like to point out how our MOD service will differ. For one, MOD drivers are Orange County employees driving a County vehicle, not their own. They are vetted and trained to the same standards as our current operators. Our MOD vehicles, too, are clean, sanitized, and are serviced regularly. Though this program may look different, it is in line with our core values and the community-based transportation services we currently offer.”
Orange County’s MOD program will be implemented in partnership with TransLoc, a Ford Mobility Company. The initial MOD pilot is scheduled to run for six months through mid-August and will pick up and drop off riders within Hillsborough’s town limits and the Eubanks Park-and-Ride in Chapel Hill. If the program goes well, the service could expand and become a part of OCPT’s regular service. For more information about OCPT’s MOD program, please visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/MOD.