Transportation
BY DUSTIN BUTLER
DART scales back service cut proposal
What else
Along with service adjustments, the board of directors also passed a general mobility plan, the primary purpose of which is to return a portion of DART’s sales tax revenue to cities that contribute more in sales tax revenue to DART than they receive in services. The program aims to address long-standing con- cerns from certain member cities, including Plano, that they have been “overpaying” into DART without receiving commensurate service levels. Slagel said the mobility plan was budgeted by staff and wasn’t related to the planned reductions. The agency is facing several cost factors, such as inflation and new service requests, Chief Communications Officer Jeamy Molina said. DART is implementing service changes as a response to changing ridership patterns, Slagel said. The primary drivers for the changes are the flattening of “peak periods” since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We don’t have peak periods any longer like we had prior to [COVID-19] because people are working from home a lot, so trips are flattening out,” Slagel said.
plan for rail and bus services as part of the 2025-26 budget. Richardson resident Matthew Martin was one of more than 150 speakers who voiced opposition to the initial service cuts. Martin said he is a frequent DART rider, often using the light rail to travel to downtown Dallas for work events. “People should have the freedom to choose what [transportation] they want to and they should be able to use that transit with dignity,” Martin said. “That includes not having to stand out in the sun for 40 minutes.” Slagel said member-city staff reviewed the transit agency’s proposed budget, which includes the proposed service changes, and provided feedback before the September board meeting.
Facing budget pressures and rider backlash, Dallas Area Rapid Transit has scaled back its initial proposal for service cuts, unveiling a new plan approved by the board of directors in September. Under the new plan, the peak hour frequency will be eliminated and trains will run every 20 minutes, DART chair Gary Slagel said. Additionally, bus frequencies will also change to match with train frequencies. Initial changes included reducing light rail frequency to once every 30 minutes, eliminating nine bus routes, South Dallas GoLink and all GoLink zone-to-zone pilots, DART Project Manager of Service Planning Hans-Michael Ruthe said. Slagel, who represents Richardson on the board, said after receiving community feedback, staff reworked the new frequency
Expenses vs sales tax contribution by member city A report by Ernst and Young Infrastructure Advisors showed seven of DART's 13 member cities contributed more sales tax revenue in 2023 than operations, capital and interest expenses cost to maintain transit service.
Looking forward
Sales tax contribution
Expenses
$100M
75
$80M
WOODALL DR.
ARAPAHO RD.
N
$60M
Richardson City Manager Don Magner said the city has strategically used DART for economic development and will continue to do so. The city is working with DART to revitalize 15 acres surrounding Arapaho Station with the intent of making the development an entry point for the Richardson IQHQ. Once completed, Magner said the development will offer a mix of residential, retail, restaurant and entertainment options, similar to other mixed-use developments, such as CityLine and Galatyn Station. The city partnered with commercial real estate firm CBRE and DART to find a developer for Arapaho Station that can meet the city’s vision. The selection process is still ongoing.
$40M
$20M
$0
Addison
Carrollton Farmers Branch
Highland Park
Plano
Richardson
University Park
SOURCE: ERNST AND YOUNG INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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