By Gregory Childress

gchildress@heraldsun.com; 918-1046

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill Transit officials don’t have hard numbers yet, but say the new public bus route from Pittsboro to Chapel Hill has been well-received.

The “Chatham County Express,” as the new route has been dubbed, began Aug. 24 and was created to reduce the need for residents of Pittsboro and other parts of Chatham County to have to drive their cars into parking-challenged Chapel Hill.

“The response we’ve received from folks who’ve used the service has been great,” said Brian Litchfield, assistant director of Chapel Hill Transit. “The early indication is that it’s been well-received.”

Litchfield said he will continue to monitor the ridership numbers and hopes to have a clear picture of how the new route is being used after a full month of service.

Officials estimate that the new service will generate 10,200 rides a year on a regular 40-passenger bus.

Transit representatives and elected officials from Chapel Hill, Chatham County and the town of Pittsboro, all partners in bringing the service on line, have been invited to ride the route this morning.

“It’s kind of a celebration of that partnership,” Litchfield said of this morning’s event.

The bus carrying elected officials will leave the Lowe’s home improvement store park and ride lots at 7:17 a.m. and arrive at UNC at 7:45 a.m. It will return to Pittsboro around 8:30 a.m.

Chatham residents who work at UNC and UNC Hospitals are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of the new services. About 30 percent of the university’s and hospital’s employees live in Chatham and Alamance counties.

The new service provides weekday express service between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill, along U.S. 15-501, with stops in downtown Pittsboro and Fearrington Village.

Passengers can park for free and then board the express bus at the Lowe’s park and ride lot, 121 Lowe’s Drive, Pittsboro.

The cost for the service is $3 one-way or $65 per month, with the purchase of a CHT monthly pass that is good for unlimited rides during the month of issue.

For more information about the Chatham County Express, go to www.chtransit.org.