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

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 2

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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

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 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 9 Mockingbird Station Cedars Station Downtown Plano Station Victory Station

Mockingbird Station 10 Before After

Downtown Plano 11 Before After

Galatyn Park in Richardson 12 Before After

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? 15