Texas Pushes for Expanded Public Transit Amid DART Cities’ Withdrawal Threats
A new draft plan by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDoT) reveals a significant demand for expanded public transit in both rural and urban areas, with one in three Texans surveyed supporting the idea. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials have welcomed this multimodal approach to future-proofing Texas transportation.
The TXDoT's plan comes at a time when four DART member cities are set to vote on potentially withdrawing from the transit system this spring, citing perceived inequities. However, the DART's upcoming Transit System Plan envisions a sustainable and robust system through 2040, aligning with TXDoT's draft plan.
Michael Morris, transportation director for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, notes that the region is largely completing its freeways and toll roads. He suggests focusing on land use and inner-city transportation investments to tackle roadway congestion. The Regional Transportation Council stands ready to address the contentious issue of cities withdrawing from DART.
A 25-year study by the University of North Texas Economic Research Group attributes an $18.1 billion direct impact on North Texas from transit-oriented development within a quarter mile of DART stations. As North Texas is expected to grow to about 12 million people by 2050, the need for more transit and roadway improvements becomes increasingly apparent.
The TXDoT's draft Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan highlights the demand for expanded public transit, which DART officials support. As North Texas grows, the region must address the potential withdrawal of cities from the DART system and plan for increased transit needs. The economic benefits of transit-oriented development around DART stations underscore the importance of investing in public transportation.
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