cURL Error: 0{"id":45408,"date":"2022-12-15T10:11:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T10:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gotrucking.news\/we-all-win-when-dart-is-a-more-reliable-service\/"},"modified":"2022-12-15T10:11:55","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T10:11:55","slug":"we-all-win-when-dart-is-a-more-reliable-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gotrucking.news\/we-all-win-when-dart-is-a-more-reliable-service\/","title":{"rendered":"We all win when DART is a more reliable service"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was indeed a difficult year for Dallas Area Rapid Transit. The transportation agency faced security issues, complaints about cleanliness in trains and a lack of reliability despite an overhaul in their bus routes.
\nThis is why we welcome DART\u2019s decision to allocate $110 million from their surplus sales tax revenue fund to improve those three things, including a fully staffed DART Police Department. These problematic matters will become only more urgent as ridership returns to pre-pandemic numbers. In the last year, bus ridership grew by 17% and train usage by 22%.
\nIn a recent editorial, we questioned a vote to distribute $234 million to 13 member cities, reportedly as a sign of goodwill for cities that felt underserved. But safety and reliability should always be the priority, and it\u2019s important that DART has not only the funding but also a plan that so far seems to be working.
\nLike other employers in North Texas, DART struggled all year with a shortage of operators, which forced the agency to suspend some routes in June.
\nIn response, DART raised wages, offered hiring bonuses and held several job fairs in the summer. This past week, nine routes were restored, and the agency expects to have the remaining 22 routes back in action by Jan. 23, said DART chief executive Nadine Lee.
\nTimeliness has improved: \u201cIn June we were missing 15% of our trips; now we are only missing 1%,\u201d Lee said.
\nExpect to see cleaner trains as well. In November, DART launched the Clean Team Initiative with contract workers who will remove trash, sweep and mop on weekday shifts from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
\nSafety, however, is still a top concern. In May, The Dallas Morning News reported several incidents in train stations that included harassment, drug use and violence. Looking at DART\u2019s data, the number of incidents and arrests through September \u2014 1,732 \u2014 were on track to surpass last year\u2019s. A fully staffed 252-member police force will go a long way to helping DART curb crime. It should also help that violent crime has dropped 11.5% in Dallas. But DART police need to be vigilant and proactive in confronting problems.
\nAnother question for DART has been how to serve communities with low ridership but with a high need for public transportation. DART made a great decision to expand the South Dallas GoLink program for another year with the goal to make it permanent.
\nThis on-demand micro-transit service is one way DART is addressing transportation equity in southern Dallas. This is a good example in which the agency listened to community feedback before making decisions.
\nDART is a critical service for our region. Getting a handle on its biggest problems would be the right way to begin the new year.
\nWe welcome your thoughts in a letter to the editor. See the guidelines and submit your letter here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"