Dallas Area Rapid Transit ridership plunges

[marmar]

via MassTransitMag:



DART Ridership Plunges

Michael A. Lindenberger
The Dallas Morning News


TEXAS - Dallas Area Rapid Transit blamed lower gas prices, rising unemployment and higher fares for a steep decline in ridership in the last three months of 2009, according to a new report released by the transit agency Tuesday.

DART's bus ridership took the biggest hit, but the sagging numbers affected light-rail and commuter rail service as well.

At the same time, senior executives unveiled gloomy revenue forecasts that could significantly delay major rail projects in downtown Dallas and in Irving, where there has been enormous anticipation of the scheduled opening of the Orange Line in phases beginning in late 2011.

"I don't know how serious this is," DART president Gary Thomas said, declining to reveal specifics of the short- and long-term sales-tax revenue forecasts, which his agency only recently received. He said the board would receive more details in March about what the numbers could mean for major projects. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=3&id=10812