Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has responded to public outrage by revising some of the proposed service cuts, aiming to mitigate the impact on its riders. One of the most controversial measures, the paratransit service, has been spared from cuts in the updated plan following feedback from the community.
During a recent DART board meeting, Rob Smith, the vice president of service and planning, presented the revised staff-recommended plan, highlighting the preservation of the ADA paratransit service area due to its significance in public discussions. This decision comes after a public hearing on July 8, where numerous DART riders and advocates expressed their concerns about the proposed cuts.
In addition to retaining the paratransit service, existing GoLink services, such as the South Dallas GoLink Zone and zone-to-zone pilots, will remain operational as part of the revised plan. However, DART is still implementing system-wide cuts to allocate 5% of its annual sales tax revenue to a new General Mobility Program, which will support non-DART transit projects in eligible cities like Plano, Carrollton, and Richardson.
The creation of the General Mobility Program followed extensive debates between DART and member cities, including a legislative dispute in Austin over a bill that could have significantly reduced the agency’s funding from cities. In response to the public backlash, the staff-recommended plan also includes maintaining the upcoming Silver Line frequency at 30-minute peak service, with an imminent announcement on the commuter rail’s opening.
Smith emphasized that the proposed changes would undergo review under the Title VI policy, which mandates transit agencies to assess whether major service alterations disproportionately impact historically underserved or low-income areas. He mentioned that the plan integrates “mitigation” measures to potentially reinstate discontinued routes if adequate funding becomes available in the future.
Despite the efforts to minimize frequency reductions, Patrick Kennedy, a DART board representative, expressed reservations about the cuts, referring to the Title VI mitigation plan as a tentative assurance to restore services. The board members have agreed to further deliberations and a vote on the proposed plan, including fare adjustments, scheduled for August 26, with the changes anticipated to take effect in January upon DART’s approval.
As KERA’s growth and infrastructure reporter, Pablo Arauz Peña covers these developments. For feedback or tips, reach out to Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org. Funding for KERA News is made possible by the contributions of its members, ensuring the continuation of valuable reporting. Consider making a tax-deductible gift to support their work.
Key Takeaways:
– DART has revised its service changes plan in response to public feedback, preserving the paratransit service and other essential offerings.
– The General Mobility Program will allocate a portion of DART’s revenue to support non-DART transit projects in eligible cities.
– The proposed changes will undergo scrutiny under the Title VI policy to assess potential impacts on underserved communities.
– Board members are set to discuss and vote on the revised plan, along with fare adjustments, on August 26, with the changes expected to be implemented in January.
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