 the offical newsletter of DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT - Spring 2009 |
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In recreation centers, school auditoriums and conference rooms across the region, citizens gather to help shape the DART System. On blackboards and video screens, and through phone calls and e-mails they sound off on rail alignments, station designs and bus routes, and they learn about transit safety, accessibility and future plans.
Riding Safe
Safety is a two-way street for DART and its customers. Agency representatives conduct hundreds of presentations and system tours every year, teaching everyone from school children to seniors how to ride safely and get the most out of public transit. They also listen closely, collecting feedback that contributes to a stellar safety record.
During the past year, feedback from customers and the general public has been used to strengthen DART Police deployment, to expand undercover patrols, and to promote the installation of emergency call stations on boarding platforms and surveillance cameras at key park & ride locations. DART Police also work closely with police departments in DART’s member cities, as well as with state and federal agencies.These efforts are paying off. In a 2008 Customer Satisfaction Survey, 87% of respondents said they feel safe at bus stops and rail stations - up from 80% the previous year.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Putting information in the hands of commuters was the impetus for the 2008 launch of DART's mobile website - m.DART.org - while the new DalTrans Center provides up-to-the minute traffic information to commuters on major freeways.
Putting information in the hands of commuters was the impetus for the 2008 launch of DART's mobile website - m.DART.org - while the new DalTrans Center provides up-to-the minute traffic information to commuters on major freeways.
From Drawing Board to Grand Opening
"I'm going to ride the first Green Line train from Victory Station to Carrollton when it opens in December 2010," says Vic Muse. He's earned the privilege, having attended countless meetings since 1996 as a member of the Northwest Corridor Citizens Advisory Committee.
Citizen volunteers like Muse ensure the DART System is built not just "for the people" but "by the people."
"It's been a good experience, but it's been frustrating at times too," he says, recalling slowdowns during weak economies, debates over access to destinations, and naysayers who didn't want to endure the construction. "People have this philosophy of 'how much will it affect me,' but you've got to break an egg to make an omelet," he says.
And now that "omelet" is close to being served. "It looks like we're finally making progress," says Muse. "Nobody's just standing around out there. They're pushing things along pretty well to get it finished."
REACHING OUT
DART Community Affairs representatives met with the public more than 400 times in FY 2008.
| 225 | Safety presentations in schools |
| 67 | Public involvement sessions for capital projects |
| 60 | Neighborhood, business and community events |
| 46 | Green Line presentations in schools |
| 44 | Career presentations in schools |
| 12 | Citizen Advisory Committee meetings |
| 4 | Americans with Disabilities Act quarterly meetings |
| 3 | Paratransit Access Advisory Group quarterly meetings |
On Track for the Future
With the regional transit renaissance in full swing, there are plenty of opportunities for more people like Muse to get involved and help keep DART moving in the right direction.
The Orange Line to DFW Airport and Blue Line extension to Rowlett have had significant public input, and as construction begins DART representatives will make sure neighborhoods, schools and businesses are kept abreast of progress.Back in downtown Dallas, business and community leaders have been helping identify the best alignment for a second line to accommodate increased rail traffic when the Green Line becomes fully operational in 2010.
"We need more farsighted people," says Muse. "There are so many people whose first response is 'no, we can't do that.' " With help from Muse and many others, DART is proving that, yes, we can.
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