In Dallas, for example, DART ridership has decreased every year for the past five years — even though the Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. From 2013 to 2018, average weekday ridership on light rail and buses dropped about 13 percent to 194,495.
Hannibal Lecter wrote:https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas/2019/06/03/dart-hired-uber-drive-around-riders-now-considering-autonomous-busesIn Dallas, for example, DART ridership has decreased every year for the past five years — even though the Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. From 2013 to 2018, average weekday ridership on light rail and buses dropped about 13 percent to 194,495.
Jbarn wrote:Hannibal Lecter wrote:https://www.dallasnews.com/news/dallas/2019/06/03/dart-hired-uber-drive-around-riders-now-considering-autonomous-busesIn Dallas, for example, DART ridership has decreased every year for the past five years — even though the Dallas-Fort Worth area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. From 2013 to 2018, average weekday ridership on light rail and buses dropped about 13 percent to 194,495.
I wonder how that 10 year bus route overhaul is coming along. DART always seems to be more concerned about headlines and that next big project rather than running an effective, usable, customer-centric agency. The whole DART board needs to be replaced with people that actually use the system.
Cbdallas wrote:Putting ticket takers on every train while costly would make the train feel more inviting to paying customers while removing those that don't pay or use the train as a homeless shelter which drives more paying riders away from using the train. If I could go back in time I would have insisted they gate the entire system creating a barrier to non paying riders and the homeless.
The problem I think is due to the fact that the folks that run DART more than likely never ever use the system.
Parker Road wrote:I can't be the only person that finds it a bit ridiculous that DART's headquarters downtown, right next to akard station, has a private underground parking garage (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EtZWogQ5mySt5quv5). I get it's likely there due to parking minimums; but not only is the irony palpable, it also serves as encouragement for transit officials to neglect the system they oversee.
electricron wrote:Parker Road wrote:I can't be the only person that finds it a bit ridiculous that DART's headquarters downtown, right next to akard station, has a private underground parking garage (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EtZWogQ5mySt5quv5). I get it's likely there due to parking minimums; but not only is the irony palpable, it also serves as encouragement for transit officials to neglect the system they oversee.
Considering the history of the building, I do not think it is ridiculous. I can not imagine a huge department store located in downtown Dallas existing without parking.
Parker Road wrote:Ah, true, I completely neglected to think about that aspect (former tenants), good point. Still is weird to me though, but I suppose it makes more sense than opening it to the public. Maybe in the far future, once ground level parking is less prevalent downtown, DART could make a little bit of extra revenue by charging high rates for the public to park there. That way employees won't be encouraged to drive.
lakewoodhobo wrote:Parker Road wrote:Ah, true, I completely neglected to think about that aspect (former tenants), good point. Still is weird to me though, but I suppose it makes more sense than opening it to the public. Maybe in the far future, once ground level parking is less prevalent downtown, DART could make a little bit of extra revenue by charging high rates for the public to park there. That way employees won't be encouraged to drive.
Depending on what happens with 1401 Elm, DART may revisit the idea of selling 1401 Pacific and then the question becomes where to move. They could redevelop the East Transfer Center and build themselves a decent office tower there, but they would no longer be adjacent to the transit mall.
However, if D2 does get built then 1401 Pacific would only be on the Red and Blue lines. This location on the East Transfer Center would be a short walk from a D2 or D1 station.
itsjrd1964 wrote:Looks like this sign is an admittance that the platform "improvements" are taking longer than originally advertised.
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The original banner signs that say August are still displayed, but I saw the pictured sign in the last week at the Walnut Hill Red/Orange line station. The construction there has both stairwells and the elevator on the north end of the platform closed. Not good for access unless you want to cross Walnut Hill between the bus area and the remaining access to the platform. Whatever they're doing there, it doesn't look like it will result in a longer platform. The only other work I see, the downtown Plano station, has some work going on at the north end of the platform, but it doesn't look like enough work to do a full-train-car-length platform extension. Hopefully we will eventually see tangible results after all the work is done.
Cbdallas wrote:Would love to know of the other large cities in the US that use open pay open access like DART or those that use a closed pay to enter system. Pros and Cons of both.
exelone31 wrote:Cbdallas wrote:Would love to know of the other large cities in the US that use open pay open access like DART or those that use a closed pay to enter system. Pros and Cons of both.
Of the cities I've been to, I believe only Seattle is the one I have seen open pay open access.
Closed pay cities:
NYC
Chicago
SF/Bay Area
Washington DC
Vancouver
Cbdallas wrote:Would love to know of the other large cities in the US that use open pay open access like DART or those that use a closed pay to enter system. Pros and Cons of both.
Cbdallas wrote:Of the other open systems I wonder how they enforce fare payment and freeloaders on their systems. Seems like if we increased our policing DART and enforced and removed people then the perception of safety and cleanliness would go up and increase ridership. I personally am not turned off or scared but I hear from many that won't use it because that is the perception.
Would love to know of the other large cities in the US that use open pay open access like DART or those that use a closed pay to enter system.
cowboyeagle05 wrote:150+ for the cost, when area property owners aren't interested in contributing, is a steep hill to climb.
DPatel304 wrote:I used to be very pro rail, but I'm just not sure adding this station would be worth the money (at this point in time).
I really just feel like rail in DFW is best for commuting long distances, and that we really should be embracing bus usage more in the urban core.
ART is the future. China leading the way.
lakewoodhobo wrote:Not sure when this was installed, but Union Station has lights embedded in the platform that blink red when a train is approaching. Wonder if they plan on installing these elsewhere or just at the TRE transfer points.
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itsjrd1964 wrote:I wonder how much of this LED light addition is an ADA-related thing, and how much of it is a I'm-too-distracted-by-my-phone-to-watch-for-the-train thing. I've seen video or pics of inlaid LED strips on sidewalks in other cities (maybe outside the US? Can't remember) that light up red or green so those looking at their phones will know the light they're waiting for has changed.
Anyway, interesting addition. I don't think any of the DART stations that are being worked on have done anything besides stone/concrete and overhead lighting.
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