DART - Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Presently, DART is busy finishing construction on the Green Line, and starting construction on the Orange Line and Blue Line extension. The final phases of the Green Line is projected to be in service December 2010, Blue Line Extension in December 2012, and first two phases of the Orange Line by December 2012.
DART has posted lots of construction photos and videos at
Green Line http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/greenline.asp
Blue Line http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/blueline.asp
Orange Line http://www.dart.org/about/expansion/orangeline.asp
Here's just a few I wished to point out.....
Orange Line video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdqXz-cF ... r_embedded
Green Line aerial photos
Buckner (looking SE)

Lake June (looking NW)

Lawnview (looking NW)

Hatcher (looking W)

Market Center (looking N)

Southwest Medical District/Parkland (looking W)

Inwood/Love Field (looking N)

Burbank (looking N)

Bachman (looking N)

Walnut Hill/Denton (looking N)

Royal Lane (looking S)

Farmers Branch (looking SE)

Downtown Carrollton (looking SW)

Trinity Mills (looking SE)

Frankford/North Carrollton (looking SE)


Note, the following Green Line stations were open last year.
MLK

Fair Park

Baylor

Deep Ellum
Victory


Last, two aerial photos for the Blue Line extension
Rowlett (looking S)

Downtown Garland (looking NW)

great pics and info, thanks!

Time lapse video from Walnut Hill/Denton Station to North Carrollton/Frankford Station...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbTKOpexFhg
I believe DART is easily going to make the start of service in the first week of December....

Testing has started!

DART tests light-rail train in Irving, introduces emergency text system

On Monday, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) successfully tested the first light-rail train into Irving, Texas, operating the train along five miles between Bachman Station and the Irving Convention Center in preparation for the July 30 opening of the Orange Line.

The test, which marked the first section of the 14-mile Orange Line, served as a trial run for train movements, the overhead electrical system and vehicle clearances, DART officials said in a prepared statement. The test was performed in advance of the start of integrated testing and safety certification.



http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transpor ... riders.ece

By 2014, it will have built four lines, creating a modern light-rail system that, at 90 miles, is the largest in North America.

But when the construction crews go home and riders can navigate among 61 rail stations spread across much of the region, DART will confront a challenge as old as its oldest rail cars: How to grow ridership?

DART light-rail ridership has grown significantly since the first cars began moving 16 years ago this month, but that growth has been dependent on a stream of groundbreakings. Largely obscured by all the ribbon-cuttings: The longer many stations are in service, the less people use them.

Of 34 stations that were open before the Green Line came on board beginning three years ago, 15 serve fewer people now than in their first year of service. Of the stations where use has grown since they opened, most serve no more people today than they did eight to 10 years ago.

Jeff Smith wrote:http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transpor ... riders.ece

By 2014, it will have built four lines, creating a modern light-rail system that, at 90 miles, is the largest in North America.

But when the construction crews go home and riders can navigate among 61 rail stations spread across much of the region, DART will confront a challenge as old as its oldest rail cars: How to grow ridership?

DART light-rail ridership has grown significantly since the first cars began moving 16 years ago this month, but that growth has been dependent on a stream of groundbreakings. Largely obscured by all the ribbon-cuttings: The longer many stations are in service, the less people use them.

Of 34 stations that were open before the Green Line came on board beginning three years ago, 15 serve fewer people now than in their first year of service. Of the stations where use has grown since they opened, most serve no more people today than they did eight to 10 years ago.

Dallas built an extensive light rail system, but they did not pursue the Transit-oriented development needed to go along with it. The city, DART, and real estate developers need to partner together to build pedestrian-scale communities around light rail stations. The landscape around some DART stations is pretty barren. If you need to drive to the station what's stopping you from driving all the way downtown?

M&Eman wrote:Dallas built an extensive light rail system, but they did not pursue the Transit-oriented development needed to go along with it. The city, DART, and real estate developers need to partner together to build pedestrian-scale communities around light rail stations. The landscape around some DART stations is pretty barren. If you need to drive to the station what's stopping you from driving all the way downtown?

DART's board of directors is made up of members representing 13 member cities, Dallas being just one of those cities. TODs are starting to appear at many of the train stations, although I'll readily admit not all. Where you see empty lots, I see potential TODs sprouting up like weeds will in your yard.
When DART's Orange line to DFW Airport is complete, DART will have 62 light rail stations, with high density commercial developments near 17 of them. That's 27%, not bad for a light rail system less than 20 years of age.
Here's my list of those 17 stations with new high density commercial properties nearby.
(1) Downtown Carrollton, (2) Gatalyn Park, (3) Cedars, (4) Irving Convention Center, (5) Las Colinas, (6) Medical District, (7) Victory (8) Mockingbird, (9) City Place, (10) Dallas Convention Center, (11) Union, (12) West End, (13) Akard, (14) St. Paul, (15) Pearl, (16) Baylor, and (17) Park. That list is not counting new high density residential properties sprouting up near other light rail stations.

So, I'm strongly disagreeing with you that TODs aren't being encouraged by DART and its member cities. I think too many think 10 story or taller buildings will or should appear immediately. There are some who believe the local cities should be more proactive encouraging growth, and there are just as many who believe growth will occur anyways without giving away future tax revenues to encourage immediate growth now. Even the Dallas area has been hurt by the latest recession, real estate growth will take more time to appear - but I believe TODs will arise near the train stations anyways. If the Dallas area was reeling from this recession as much as other cities, maybe being more proactive would be in order. But my point is that the Dallas area isn't that desperate yet.

Dart Orange Line Opens | Local News Galleries | Star-Telegram.com from Bachman to Irving Convention Center.

DART.org - DART Rail System Map shows the Blue Line opening to Rowlett and the Orange Line opening to Belt Line Rd., both on December 3 of this year. From DART.org - Orange Line Expansion Information, it should reach DFW airport on Dec 15, 2014. More on the Rowlett extension: DART.org - Blue Line Expansion Information

Another extension, DART.org - Blue Line South Oak Cliff Corridor Extension is still in planning stages. It may start construction in 2013, and it's to be done by 2019, though DART is studying ways to get it done sooner.

In earlier planning stages is DART.org - Cotton Belt Regional Rail Corridor Information. It would run Plano - Carrollton - north DFW, connecting with a possible line from north DFW to Ft. Worth.

DART.org - Downtown Dallas Transit Study is for creating a second route through downtown Dallas, for relieving congestion on the existing one.

Checking on DART.org - Dallas Area Rapid Transit, two extensions are now open.
The Blue Line from Garland to Rowlett
The Orange Line from Irving Convention Center to Belt Line

There are two more in the works:
DART.org - Orange Line Expansion Information
From Belt Line to a station at the north end of DFW airport -- should open late 2014
DART.org - Blue Line South Oak Cliff Corridor Extension
From Ledbetter to South Oak Cliff -- still in planning

ETA: I've found this new story: DART Blue Line launches long-awaited rail service in Rowlett | Dallas-Fort Worth Transportation News - News for Dallas, Texas - The Dallas Morning News

Jeff Smith wrote:http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transpor ... riders.ece

Of 34 stations that were open before the Green Line came on board beginning three years ago, 15 serve fewer people now than in their first year of service. Of the stations where use has grown since they opened, most serve no more people today than they did eight to 10 years ago.

I'll add a link to the DMN graphic so I can comment upon.
http://transportationblog.dallasnews.co ... r-DART.jpg

Looking closely at the few stations with supposedly large losses in ridership from startup.
Blue Line south = Illinois. Note the 1996 open, it was the initial end of line station. Note that stations further south opened later. That's where the losses went, why ride a bus all the way to Illinois when you can climb aboard the train at Ledbetter instead. Was it really a loss in rideship, or that the riders are already aboard now?

Blue Line north = White Rock. Note the 2001 open. Note that stations further north opened later. Although not the initial end of line station, it was upon opening. Explanation the same as Illinois.

Red Line north = Park Lane. Note the 1997 open, it was the initial end of line station. Note that stations further north opened much later. Explanation the same as Illinois.

All the other stations with a loss of riders can be explained by the economic conditions in the neighborhoods around the stations. Take the Red Line Spring Valley, with BCBSTX offices moving away, and Arapahoe Center and the moving of many local Telecom companies to Gatalyn Park. Businesses and therefore riders commuting to work move.

Average weekday riders by line:
Blue Line
2008 = 28,600
2009 = 24,300
2010 = 22,200
2011 = 19,417 (July only)
2012 = 18,504 (March only)
Since 2008, the Blue Line has lost around 10,000 riders.
Red Line
2008 = 42,900
2009 = 37,000
2010 = 33,200
2011 = 32,604 (July only)
2012 = 31,146 (March only)
Since 2008, the Red Line has lost around 11,000 riders.
Green Line
2008 = N/A
2009 = 6,700
2010 = 4,800
2011 = 21,318 (July only)
2012 = 23,536 (March only)
Since 2008, the Green Line has added around 23,000 riders.
Orange Line
2008 = N/A
2009 = N/A
2010 = N/A
2011 = N/A
2012 = No data found yet
I assume it's safe to state that the Orange Line has added riders since 2008.

The loss of ridership on the Blue and Red Lines since 2008 isn't as bad as many claim it is. DART had its highest ridership in 2008 before the Green LIne opened. Here's yearly totals since the beginning...

1996 1.4 million (11 miles opened June 14, 1996)
1997 7.97 million (6 mile North Central extension (Pearl to Park Lane) and South Oak Cliff extension (Illinois to Ledbetter) opened completing the 20 mile Light Rail Starter System)
1998 10.94 million
1999 11.34 million
2000 11.43 million
2001 11.51 million
2002 13.73 million (Northeast extensions (Mockingbird to LBJ/Skillman) and North Central extensions (new Park Lane to Galatyn Park) opened)
2003 16.97 million (Northeast extension (LBJ/Skillman to Downtown Garland) and North Central extension (Galaytn Park to Parker Road) open growing the system to 44 miles)
2004 16.49 million
2005 17.48 million (Victory Station opens, DART Rail at 45 miles)
2006 18.58 million
2007 17.9 million
2008 19.4 million
2009 19 million (first four stations of the Green Line open, DART Rail at 48 miles)
2010 17.8 million
2011 22.3 million (Green Line is completed, extending DART Rail to 72 miles, 55 stations)
2012 N/A (Orange Line opens)

DART's Orange and Green Lines have been in service long enough to have meaningful ridership data.
DART's light rail daily ridership us up to 103,100 riders, in comparison to 53, 067 riders before these new lines opened.
However, after a year-long study in 2012 that counted passenger counts through both the existing manual method and a new automated counting system, DART concluded that it has been underreporting rail ridership by more than 15 percent each year.

DART Red/Blue daily ridership hit 73,058 August 2008, 53,067 April 2011.
http://transportationblog.dallasnews.co ... gain.html/

DART Light rail: 103,100 average weekday riders (automated counting data report 4th quarter 2012)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Area_Rapid_Transit

DART Oak Cliff Streetcar officially breaks ground.
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/05/03/dart ... r-project/

Here's a link to a photo of Houston Street Viaduct taken by Dallasite87
http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/attac ... 1365375710

Checking on DART.org - Expansion Information, the Orange Line is now out to Belt Line, its last station before Dallas-Fort-Worth Airport. Its DFW station is scheduled to open on August 18.

The Blue Line is being extended southward from Ledbetter to the University of North Texas.
DART.org - Blue Line South Oak Cliff Corridor Extension
City officials to celebrate South Oak Cliff Three Line extension; DART Blue Line expansion is on track for South Oak Cliff | Dallas Post Tribune - they expect to open it in late 2016.

DART.org - Union Station to Oak Cliff Dallas Streetcar (TIGER Project)
Dallas-Oak Cliff streetcar seen as small piece of big plan | Dallas Morning News
This line goes southwest of Union Station using the Houston St. viaduct over the Trinity River. It may open in 2015.

DART.org - Downtown Dallas Transit Study The D2 project is about building a second light-rail line through downtown Dallas. Its participants are currently evaluating various alternatives.

Orange Line now direct between the airport and downtown: Its DFW airport station is now open.

lpetrich wrote:The Blue Line is being extended southward from Ledbetter to the University of North Texas.
DART.org - Blue Line South Oak Cliff Corridor Extension
City officials to celebrate South Oak Cliff Three Line extension; DART Blue Line expansion is on track for South Oak Cliff | Dallas Post Tribune - they expect to open it in late 2016.

DART.org - Union Station to Oak Cliff Dallas Streetcar (TIGER Project)
Dallas-Oak Cliff streetcar seen as small piece of big plan | Dallas Morning News
This line goes southwest of Union Station using the Houston St. viaduct over the Trinity River. It may open in 2015.

It will open on April 13th. The first Oak Cliff streetcar arrived last week and was placed on display for the news media on Monday. Video and photos in links below.
http://transportationblog.dallasnews.co ... gins.html/
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=noNky_QXaCM