 the offical newsletter of DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT - Summer 2008 |
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Short Trips
Rack'em and ride'em
The horizons of bike-and-ride commuters and weekend adventurers are about to expand significantly. Starting by the summer, more than 550 DART buses will be outfitted with new bike racks positioned just under the front windshield. The racks were made possible by a $770,000 grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The grant also funds 20 bike lockers at DART Rail stations and transit centers.
Changing the face of downtown DallasWith the 2009 addition of the Green Line to the DART Rail System, planners are reviewing ways to keep traffic – and transit – flowing in downtown Dallas. The ongoing Downtown Dallas Transit Study, known as "D2," extends from Victory Park, through the Central Business District, to Deep Ellum. Key objectives include increasing capacity, improving reliability and flexibility, providing better access to transit, and allowing for better circulation. All modes, such as modern streetcars and buses, are being considered along with a second downtown rail line. The latest news on the D2 study is available at www.DART.org/D2.
Wedding chapel on wheelsAll weddings are said to be "moving" experiences, but the 2007 Valentine's Day nuptials of Fort Worth residents Rhonda Long and Jason Cancino really were as they exchanged vows on a Trinity Railway Express (TRE) train. Listeners of radio station KLUV selected the couple as winners of the KLUV/TRE Love Train Contest.
State Fair Shuttle is a hitOne of the most popular rides at the 2007 State Fair of Texas was the one that got folks to the fairgrounds in the first place. More than 55,650 passengers rode DART's State Fair Shuttle to and from Pearl Station, avoiding the hassles and expense of traffic and parking.
Transit saves cash and gas
DART is helping North Texans save money and fuel. A recent study by the American Public Transit Association shows individuals living near public transit drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles annually compared to the general population. Nationally this saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline and reduces carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons – equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households.
Award-winning efforts
A variety of organizations recognized DART in 2007 for excellence in leadership, business opportunity, public service and communications.For the second consecutive year, DART was honored with the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Unidos Award for its contribution to the growth of Hispanic businesses in North Texas.
Minority Enterprise Development recognized DART's efforts in empowering minority owned businesses during the MED Week 2007 25th Anniversary Million Dollar Roundtable breakfast. The agency was also recognized as a 2007 Corporate Partner by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce. And the Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas honored DART with their Buddy J. Minyard Award for outstanding support of the Urban League and its mission (above).
DART was named one of the "2007 Best Workplaces for Commuters" by the North Texas Clean Air Coalition for giving employees transit options that help reduce air pollution.
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