Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons, DART
Crystalyn Holubec, TI

August 2, 2004

TI becomes DART's biggest annual pass customer

Texas Instruments (TI) employees in the Dallas area - all 10,500 of them - are now carrying gold -- a DART Gold Pass, the agency's popular Annual Pass program for employers.

The company is now the largest participant in the program, which offers tiered service at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels.

"TI has long been a leader in commuter benefits," says Tony Mendoza, senior manager of Consumer Programs at DART, "and now it's expanding the range even further. We're obviously excited to have such a prominent company on board, and I think a lot of TI folks will be pleased to find out just how convenient transit can be."

Employers that purchase Platinum, Gold or Silver Annual Passes give their employees unlimited local and express service on buses, DART Rail trains and the entire length of the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). The Bronze-level pass is good for unlimited rides on local bus routes and the DART Rail, as well as one zone of the TRE.

An added bonus for Annual Pass holders: special discounts around town, such as free memberships to a health club, waived deposit fees at certain apartments and car rentals at a substantial discount, in addition to DART destination deal$ on food, entertainment and shopping. Annual Pass holders also may save on car insurance premiums. And if employers buy an Annual Pass for every employee, as TI did, there is an additional perk in the form of a free taxi ride home for employees should an emergency arise.


Increasing numbers
"TI consistently looks for ways to make positive impacts to the environment and employee welfare," says Steve Moore, TI's Director of Real Estate. "The number of TI commuters using DART Rail has increased this year, and we feel offering the annual Gold Pass to employees will help to increase that number even more."

Another element of the company's Employee Trip Reduction (ETR) program is the DART Vanpool. DART has a fleet of about 70 vans, which accommodate from six to 15 riders each. A designated "captain" handles driving duties and in return pays nothing - and also receives an allowance of personal-use miles. The other riders split half the monthly cost of the van (the other half is subsidized by DART) and gas costs. It comes to not much more than the cost of a monthly pass. TI currently has six active vanpools in the Dallas area and anticipates adding more due to positive response.

"DART Gold Passes offer TI employees an alternative to single-occupancy vehicle commuting, while saving employees time, money, stress and protecting the environment in the process," says Moore. In addition to providing Gold Passes and subsidizing DART Vanpools, the company, in conjunction with DART, provides shuttle service to and from several DART Rail stations.

Businesses interested in DART's Annual Passes, vanpools or other employer programs should call 214.747.7433 or visit www.DART.org/employers.

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