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Staying Positive: Responding to Transit Critics

Staying Positive: Responding to Transit Critics. Eron H. Linn Federal Relations Manager Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The Current DART System. Established by Legislature Transportation Code Chapter 452 Formed in 1983 by vote of 13 municipalities City of Dallas 12 Suburbs

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Staying Positive: Responding to Transit Critics

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  1. Staying Positive: Responding to Transit Critics Eron H. Linn Federal Relations Manager Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

  2. The Current DART System • Established by Legislature • Transportation Code Chapter 452 • Formed in 1983 by vote of 13 municipalities • City of Dallas • 12 Suburbs • Dedicated 1 percent Sales Tax • $432 M in FY 2012 • 700 square mile service area • Population = 2.3 million • 15 Member Board of Directors • Dallas – 8 Board Members • Suburbs – 7 Board Members • 120 bus routes • 11,431 bus stops • 538 Diesel & LNG buses • CNG Conversion • Smart Buses • 85 miles light rail • 61 rail stations • 163 Kinkisharyo Super LRV’s • 35 miles commuter rail • 10 rail stations • 73 miles HOV lanes • Paratransit, vanpool & rideshare • 111 million passenger trips annually • 3600 hourly and salaried employees

  3. DART’s Values Statement • Focused on Our Customers • Meeting needs and delivering quality service • Committed to Safety and Security • Committed to ensuring the safety and security of our passengers and employees • Dedicated to Excellence • Foster an environment promoting diversity of people and ideas • Good Stewards of Public Trust • Maintain open communication with customers and stakeholders • Demand integrity and honesty

  4. Past Political Challenges • 15 cities approved 1 percent Transit Tax in 1983 by vote • 1 percent dedicated Sales Tax in authorized cities • Texas allows cities to direct 1 percent of Sales Tax for Economic Development, Transportation, or Transit Uses • Texas allows maximum local Sales Tax of 2 percent • Withdrawal Referendums (possible every 6 years) • City of Carrollton – Affirmed in 1985, 1989, 1996 • City of Farmers Branch – Affirmed in 1985, 1989 • City of Garland – Affirmed in 1989, 1996 • City of Rowlett – Affirmed in 1989, 1996 • City of Plano – Affirmed in 1989, 1996 • City of Irving – Affirmed in 1989, 1996 • City of Coppell –Withdrew in 1989 • City of Flower Mound – Withdrew in 1989

  5. Elected Officials in DART Service Area • 82 Municipal Government Officials (Mayors & City Council) • Non-partisan • 30 County Government Officials • Dallas, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Tarrant, Ellis Counties • 26 Republicans • 4 Democrats • 32 State Legislators (House & Senate) • 25 Republicans • 7 Democrats • 11 Members of Congress (House & Senate) • 9 Republicans • 2 Democrats

  6. Business Style Approach • DART has mechanisms in place to ensure high quality services for its customers, now and in the future • Revenue based Primarily on 1 percent Sales Tax • Fluctuates each economic cycle, but generally stable • Agency reviews services, finds efficiencies on regular basis • Robust local match for grant opportunities • 20-Year Financial Plan • Annual Review • State of Good Repair Program • Asset Management Program • Highly Competitive Procurement Process • Service Plan • Fare Evaluation • Bus Route Performance Evaluation

  7. DART’s Rail Expansion Program • $5.6 billion in economic activity 2009-2014 estimated due to rail expansion program • Green Line • Orange Line • Blue Line Extension to Rowlett • Created 6,400 jobs each year through 2014 • $4.2 billion in development values directly attributable to rail expansion program • Increased taxable real estate value resulting in $127 million in state and local tax revenues

  8. $8 Billion Current, Planned & Projected Transit Oriented Development Mockingbird Station Cedars Station Downtown Plano Station Victory Station

  9. Mockingbird Station Before After

  10. Downtown Plano Before After

  11. Galatyn Park in Richardson Before After

  12. Expanding DART Service Area • Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan Region • 16 Counties totaling 12,800 square miles • Greater than 9 states • 6.5 million population • Greater than 30 states • Meeting Demands for More Transit Services • Currently requires municipal vote to dedicate 1 percent tax • Alternative Funding Approaches for Projects • Value Capture • Public Private Partnerships • Aggressive Redevelopment within Service Area • Urban Land Institute

  13. Keeping Up to Speed • State Legislature • Meets Every Two Years • Oversight of Transportation Code, Chapter 452 • Clean Air • 459 New CNG Buses • Save DART $40M in fuel switch • Safety & Security • Maintain Public Confidence • Fare Inspectors on Trains • Regional Partnerships • Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) • “A Train” Commuter Rail Line • Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) • Trinity Railway Express • “TEX Rail” Commuter Rail Project • Texoma Area Paratransit Services • Grayson County Interlocal Agreement • Transit Service Provider for Collin County, Excluding Plano

  14. Questions?

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