Is Public Transit Funding in Dallas At Risk?

[@TransitTangents]

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[@mmrw]

Dallas area transit is honestly so fascinating to me for a lot of reasons. I wish them and the transit agency the best under pretty challenging circumstances

[@TransitTangents]

Thanks for watching 🙌

[@AdamM]

Thanks for covering some DART issues. Looking forward to more in the future. :)

[@phantomninja430]

It’s great to see videos like this. I just wrote a paper for my English class at Dallas college on the subject, it’s great to see more people bringing awareness to the issue

[@TransitTangents]

That's awesome! Stay tuned for more Texas content coming soon 👀

[@RoyalKingOliver]

I study at UT Dallas, I live in Mesquite so I can never use DART But, I will say that the system is incredibly useful and for the city of Plano to be pushing for such a matter has a lot of malicious intent behind it knowing their city has probably benefited the most out of DART especially with the Silver Line on its way to being completed. Planos downtown is a lot more impressive than some of its surrounding suburbs, and I honestly think the city shouldn’t cut funding but rather support funding the program. Also, not to be the broken record here, but a transit system doesn’t work if the city you’re living in isn’t walkable or has walkable infrastructure. Including biking infrastructure

[@jcmcmcjc11]

Amazing video. I live in Arlington, but ride my e scooter to CentrePort Station to my job M-F and I support DATA and DART. I cant wait for the next DATA meeting at the library.

[@TransitTangents]

Thanks for watching! Keep an eye out as we will be doing another event with DATA at the end of January/Early February!

[@Strykaman228]

Pointing to that 2019 number and saying ridership is declining is just despicable.

[@TransitTangents]

Absolutely. Clearly things are headed in the right direction. Thanks for watching 🙌

[@15MinDallas]

Yeah, you should see some of the comments by some of these people. Lol it’s fun…

[@15MinDallas]

Great video and great to see the CEO of dart mention a “20 minute” city. Great push for Dallas and the surrounding area.

[@skurinski]

WEF red flag alert

[@youtubesewersocialist]

@@skurinski "red flag alert" wanting transit-oriented, pedestrianized, and bike-friendly sustainable communities isn't a red flag, it's the kind of communities that should be built.

[@youtubesewersocialist]

@@skurinski And don't even try to pull the "surveillance" rhetoric. 15-minute or 20-minute cities aren't surveillance. No one is preventing you from going out of the community. You do know "15-minute cities" already exists as neighborhoods in North America, right? Center City Philly, neighborhoods in NYC, etc?

[@BigFemto1]

One of my favorite things about when I get to Dallas from OKC, is the ability to get on DART up in Carrollton and being able to get around DFW all day without having to spend much more time in the car. It really is a shame most cities don’t see the net positive in these systems and the ugly politics usually take precedence over the actual great system itself. Best of luck DART and thanks for the video.

[@jeSuisbar]

Honestly as a transit rider, the reasons for why the transit has been failing has been because of the placement of the stations. I understand DART was constructed as a hybrid, but there are issues with that, the train stations are too spread out and built as a suburban ride, with gigantic parking lots. Honestly in order to gain more transit, you have to shrink the parking lot or share parking with existing shops around it. Buses should travel everywhere where trains are not in. Having lived in other states, CA cities come slightly closer to Dart LRT, however CA transit has more support, therefore buses can travel inside strip mall, malls (they line up along the mall), into the college campuses & inside neighborhoods. Dart train stations are not located near the mall, not even Park Lane is easily walkable to NorthPark mall. The Universities near the train station are still far from the station which is not feasible to walk there. The trains are very outdated, I used to work near Pearl Arts and the train will breakdown every week, in which I will arrive 30 mins late. Most LRT trains have been replaced in other cities but DART does not have the funds to replace the outdated trains which causes the rail to sway from side to side. The whole system is a gigantic mess, in which at the end it is more easier to get by the car, as the wait times are horrendous, the train need to travel along 635 much more urgently than the current silver line planing. A rail along highway 30 will be great as well due to traffic, just like the LA C line which travels in highway median.

[@mrxman581]

What you say might be true, but many times, LRT routes end up being a compromised solution to mitigate NIMBY opposition of one kind or another. That's happening right now in Los Angeles with the proposed extensions of the K line both north and south. These NIMBYs are making ridiculous comments about feeling vibrations from a train passing through a tunnel under their home when the tunnel is 75 FEET UNDERGROUND!!! It's that kind of nonsense that LA Metro still has to deal with even though there have been subterranean tunnels in several parts of the city for many years with no problems. These kinds of issues can result in route changes, cost overruns, and construction delays. And then they complain that the LA Metro takes too long to build and doesn't go to enough places. I'm sure DART has to deal with these issues, too. Good luck, DART. Keep up the good fight. Angeleno transit riders are rooting for you.

[@mrxman581]

What you say might be true, but many times, LRT routes end up being a compromised solution to mitigate NIMBY opposition of one kind or another. That's happening right now in Los Angeles with the proposed extensions of the K line both north and south. These NIMBYs are making ridiculous comments about feeling vibrations from a train passing through a tunnel under their home when the tunnel is 75 FEET UNDERGROUND!!! It's that kind of nonsense that LA Metro still has to deal with even though there have been subterranean tunnels in several parts of the city for many years with no problems. These kinds of issues can result in route changes, cost overruns, and construction delays. And then they complain that the LA Metro takes too long to build and doesn't go to enough places. I'm sure DART has to deal with these issues, too. Good luck, DART. Keep up the good fight. Angeleno transit riders are rooting for you.

[@Patmorgan235Us]

DART is working to address most of the issues you raised. They're starting the procurement process to refresh the LRV fleet. They're revamping the ToD program with the idea to put large developments on their excess parking lots. A rail line alone 635 isn't really practical there's no median there for it to run through, and 635 is such a wide right of way. The silver line is where it is because that was an old abandoned fright line that dart purchased decades ago. It still connects many great destinations together like Addison circle, UTD, and DFW airport.

[@jeSuisbar]

@ Remove car lanes in 635.

[@ezekielcarsella]

Great video! DART has always faced some headwinds, but it seems it always comes out standing. Hopefully that trend continues with a more positive direction! Texas is unique because it has a lot of areas available for TOD and a more friendly regulatory environment. A shame my nearest big city (Greenville, SC) has no real positive movement for transit outside of bike infrastructure.

[@TransitTangents]

Thanks for watching! It's an uphill battle in Texas sometimes, but groups like DATA help make it happen!

[@Aman-fs1jj]

Let's go, full support, cities that are pedestrian friendly are beautiful and lively

[@TransitTangents]

Definitely! Stay tuned- more Dallas content coming next year! We will be following up with these guys when we are back.

[@WilConquer]

Their actions need to be made visible, we need public transit expanded. As a Houstonian this really grinds my gears . Better transportation only increases livability.

[@LoveToday8]

DATA. I love that name. I grew up in Little Rock and as a kid Dallas was "the big city to me." By the time I graduated high school I was disgusted by car centric cities so that crossed Dallas off the list. It would be nice to see high speed rail come to the state, similar to Brightline in Florida except Texas could withstand climate change more readily with leadership. Yes, parking lots have so much potential. Cities aren't static and we aren't even scratching the surface in the U.S., let alone the south.

[@JD_MeanGruene]

Have you guys done a video on the Texas T-Bone high speed rail idea that is now floating around?

[@TransitTangents]

Yes and no. Maybe we will do a more focused one soon, but we did do a great interview with the Travis Co Judge about expanding passenger rail in Texas here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g529YYF7friXgtksi=Pt5jtWt464NqIwBE Thanks for watching!

[@JD_MeanGruene]

@@TransitTangents Yes. I watched that one but must have missed the TX T-Bone convo. Thanks.

[@TransitTangents]

@@JD_MeanGruene I'm not sure if we mentioned it specifically actually

[@highway2heaven91]

Glad to see that you guys finally made the journey to Dallas! It’s a decent transit city but definitely doesn’t get as much attention from Urbanists (mostly because TX isn’t known for good public transit) Wondering if you’ll do Denver soon. They had great transit plans but they’re struggling with frequency, ridership and TODs. They definitely have plans in the works though and it would also be nice to talk about the front range rail corridor as well.

[@TransitTangents]

Not in the short term plans, but Denver could still happen soon! We will have more from Dallas early next year as well (Houston episode coming out in 2-3 weeks too) Thanks for watching 🙌

[@highway2heaven91]

@ Thanks, looking forward to it. I’m hoping you guys could bring someone onboard to discuss TexRail on the FW side as well. Looking forward to Houston. It would be nice to hear more about their successful Park And Ride system since most Urbanists believe that Park and Rides can’t be effective. It would be also nice to hear more about any potential transit service to Galveston since transit down there is virtually nonexistent.

[@CurtisGreen]

@@highway2heaven91 I think most people agree that park and rides are effective for end of the line stations. Stations in the middle being park and ride tend to be more contentious though, it really depends on context and the main idea is parking lots should only be as big as absolutely necessary

[@highway2heaven91]

@CurtisGreen I agree with you there but there are a lot of videos out there by the major urbanist KZbinrs that are against the entire concept of Park And Rides in general because they believe that they help suburbia and not urban areas. It would be nice for them to see how it would work well in an otherwise car-centric city. I have yet to see a Park And Rides are good, actually video on KZbin.

[@ravib81]

It's really disappointing that DART shelved plans for the downtown Dallas subway tunnel. I really wish they would revive that initiative.

[@TysonIke]

As crazy as the Bay Area 25 agency transit network is. It’s better protected from this risk as each county prioritizes it’s own network and needs

[@mjohnson9563]

for me I am surprised that DART has as much coverage for the Dallas area considering that there quite a few conservatives who reside live outside of the city of Dallas. As for the future of public transit, I think the bigger threat comes from the feds under the Trump admin who is in favor defunding public transit and in Texas it seems that the state would like to push back on all public transit, buses and trains, statewide. This goes along with other current conservative policies like ending birther rights, ending foreign work visas, adopting high tarriffs on all imports, pushing back on green technology and defunding many other federal programs and laws that have existed for many many decades under both political parties. For instance, the current assylum seeker laws were passed under the Ford administration back in the early 70s. If there is one bright spot I would have to say of all places, it is Florida who has recently started their own moderately highspeed rail network. How did they get ahead of Texas in that arena.

[@highway2heaven91]

Florida’s Brightline isn’t too high speed but it’s a mostly privately funded line targeted at luxury travelers. The state didn’t have much say in Brightline. Texas HSR is mostly state and federally funded, which is mostly why it’s seeing so much opposition.

[@orthrus4490]

In this case the feds and state wouldn't really have any impact by "defunding" DART since the state of Texas doesn't provide any state revenues for public transit and the feds only provided grants for capital infrastructure, of which DART isn't planning on building any more of in the next 10 years. So realistically, there's no money to take away since there was no money given in the first place.

[@legendarygodzilla3577]

According to the rowlett city council, they sinply joined the bandwagoning because of their own interests which is "we want better service". Jeff Winget happens to understand that Plano is taking things too far. Infact theres ankther city council member (Elise Bowers) who loves DART, and just wants to see it improve, they even talked to nadine lee when i went to the meeting.

[@alexisdespland4939]

what do you call a person from dallas.

[@danielkaster2648]

A dallasite. Thought I had some jackass response but ill be nice today

[@acelm8437]

@@danielkaster2648 Then what is someone from Paris called 😂

[@TransitTangents]

Thanks for asking this 😅 I didn't know either lol. -Louis

[@mrxman581]

​@@danielkaster2648That sounds more like a name for a mineral or stone.😂

[@mrxman581]

​@@danielkaster2648That sounds more like a name for a mineral or stone.😂

[@ronclark9724]

When DART was building their light rail lines, taxpayers did not mind paying the 1 cent sales tax. But now that the construction is reaching its end, and as the original bonds are being paid off, some taxpayers are looking at getting that quarter cent tax discount. It’s not like they are asking to eliminate all of the sales tax, or eliminate DART. The politics at issue today is what are the future plans of DART, and how much financing does it need to do the job? Of course DART would love to keep all its tax revenues, and spend maybe foolishly on things most taxpayers don’t want. DART has or will soon finish all the projects they promised the taxpayers, now the taxpayers are asking what will the future be? Do you really need all that tax in the future?

[@RocketTrain-0]

DART has been very inconsistent like MDOT & GCRTA. It's been nearly a decade since DART has expanded its trolley system and yes DART is declining because of its inconsistent service.

[@CurtisGreen]

DART took a dip during COVID but has had consistent increasing ridership for the past 3 years, if the trends hold it will meet or surpass pre-pandemic ridership in 2 years

[@mrxman581]

​@CurtisGreen Indeed. Most major cities with transit haven't recovered pre pandemic ridership numbers, not even NYC. However, they are getting there. LA Metro is at around 85%, if not more, and has had increased ridership for the last 24 months. The last two months, they passed 1 million boardings per weekday.

[@RocketTrain-0]

@@mrxman581 It will take longer for NYC to recover, this is due to the lack of law enforcement on the subway and the damaged reputation of the MTA and the City of New York.

[@mrxman581]

@RocketTrain-0 I wish them well, but they have many issues they need to work on. They deserve to get more federal help. NYC is the de facto capital of the USA. As a native Angeleno, even I can admit that. The federal government should do more to showcase NYC's public transit.

[@GrizzlieMan]

The simple truth about public transportation (DART) as in Mesquite.. Mesquite doesn’t allow public transportation to come to their city. they no longer want the negatives that come with it.. I have ridden Dart since it came out in the 80’s… there’s a lot of crime and sketchy people that make those who don’t come from that type of thing uneasy and less likely to ride …

[@mrxman581]

That's not unique to public transit. That's more of a city or countywide societal problem that spills onto DART. DART is a transit agency. It's not a social welfare agency or a police force.

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

DART needs to be run like the McKinney line. Free and doesn’t take 1 tax penny. That is the only way I will support public transit. Tax dollars don’t go to helping me buy gas. It’s is car drivers who pay into public transit something we don’t use. There is a lot of federal money going to DART. The fairbox donations sponsorship etc need to be able to fund 100% of DARTs cost.

[@mrxman581]

You pay taxes for all kinds of services whether you use them or not. It's the cost of living in a modern society with other people. Who pays for schools? Police? Fire Department? Libraries? Public transit is a service like those others.

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

@ . I was on BART in Oakland and a guy on the train was passed out with a needle sticking out of his arm. NYC subway has crazy people who push people trying to get to work. We need Moscow Metro. Clean doesn’t smell bad, no crazy people or people high on drugs. If you want to sit next to a guy with a needle sticking out of his arm and get jumped by gang members be my guest. Public transportation doesn’t work in American because we allow crazy people and drug addicts to do whatever they want.

[@rendroidz4680]

​@@MrJimmy-fl2bna lot of these people have not experienced what we've experienced in California. Homeless and Mental ill people will be taking advantage of this program. I'm glad Plano decreased support but i want them to completely abandon this nonsense. I want none of my tax payer money going to this program that will ruin cities keep it to you democrats run city of Dallas.

[@TransitTangents]

Wait til this guy hears how much highways are subsidized lol. Your gas tax and vehicle registrations don't even come close. They must pay for themselves! Tolls on every exit! Not a cent of tax revenue! That would be the equivalent...... -Louis

[@rendroidz4680]

@@TransitTangents that's a much better use of my tax payer money than supporting this homeless and mentally ill people allowing them to travel easily from one city to another.

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

Texas we like our cars go move to Europe if you want to take a slow smelly bus that you need to wait an hour for.

[@TransitTangents]

It's fine to love your car! But do you love sitting in traffic? If good transit exists (i.e. not a slow smell bus), more people will ride it, offering you more space on the roadway. At a certain point adding more lanes does not fix traffic. Most Texas highways are at that point. The easiest example to look at is the Katy Freeway. No one is trying to take away cars, just trying to provide more freedom in choice of how folks can get from here to there. You may continue to drive, but some of your neighbors may opt to take a train, a convenient bus, etc...

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

@ DART has a long history of Miss managing the money. I am sick and tired of paying for a service I have never use. I have lived in Dallas for over 10 years and have never use dart once. I already sit in lots of traffic on I 635 and US 75. TX DOT needs to build more lanes.

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

@ oh really no one trying to take my car away? Why the electric vehicle mandate Joe Biden keeps talking about? Why are lanes on fifth Avenue in New York City going away? Why is there a congestion pricing in Manhattan? $9 for something that used to be free. Kathy Hogle didn’t save us $6. I go to New York all the time for work. I’m there probably seven or eight times a year. Lots of homeless people all over the subway. Same issue with BART in San Francisco and Oakland I go there probably twice a year for work. I don’t really really like sitting next to a man who is injecting fentanyl into his veins on the train. So now I just rent a car because the Subway & BART is unsafe full of homeless people and people on drugs. Public transportation tends to attract derelict people in America. Now Moscow Metro I’ve been there once very beautiful. No one smoking any drugs acting crazy or being homeless on Moscow Metro. Moscow Metro doesn’t smell like pee. It’s actually actually very beautiful. I did enjoy riding Moscow Metro very much. Let’s build that as soon as the homeless drug addicts and criminals move-in I’m out on the road.

[@MrJimmy-fl2bn]

@@TransitTangents I like Moscow Metro I was in Moscow wants a very beautiful. There’s no homeless people on Moscow Metro also no drug addicts no crime. There’s no gangbangers. The New York City subway & BART I’m in San Francisco and New York frequently for work are awful. They attract lots of homeless / mentally ill / drug addict people. I don’t wanna be sitting next to some guy with a needle sticking out of his arm. Oh, you can still drive your car to New York cause it’s gonna cost you nine dollars to drive in Manhattan extra on top of the ridiculous toll to cross the Lincoln tunnel. Texas needs to use the budget surplus to pay off the bonds for the toll roads.

[@mrxman581]

​@@MrJimmy-fl2bnTraffic will only get worse, and WASTING money on more highways is not the long term answer. Comprehensive public transit is the answer. Look at Europe and Asia. They do both. It's not one or tge other. It's about having access to a robust mass public transit infrastructure, too. Not just for individual vehicles.

[@rendroidz4680]

Public transportation = homeless migration😢

[@29Texan]

Spoken like a spoiled suburbanite.

[@rendroidz4680]

@@29Texan spoiled? Nah just stating facts! The moment they give free rides to disabled and low income discounts those transportation services will be plagued by homelessness and mental health people

[@29Texan]

@@rendroidz4680 it's almost as if you didn't understand why I said what I said . . . which I expect.

[@rendroidz4680]

@@29Texan well new york and california have a better public transportation that you should check out. Maybe by then you'll understand what i mean. I used public transportation for over 15yrs and those types of people just ruin the experience and convenience of public transportation. I for one am not in favor of using my tax money to create future problems. You alls can keep that in Dallas which is run by democrats that support this kind of crap.

[@mrxman581]

​@@rendroidz4680DART is a transit agency, not a social welfare or mental illness facility. Those issues are not caused by DART. Those are societal ills that the city or county are not doing enough to mitigate.

[@alexisdespland4939]

i makes no sense that the dart board has as many reprenstatives from jugeplano as from tiny rowlettt. bvoth javebut one person on the borad.

[@connor5890]

No, Plano has one full representative, and they share a rep from Farmers Branch Rowlett shares a representative with Garland, and doesn't have their own dedicated board member

[@alexisdespland4939]

@@connor5890 then the local news video i watched got it wrong.