I’m writing in regards to the article “UP Voters to Consider DART Withdrawal.” I fervently believe that the council and mayor are misrepresenting many of the facts surrounding the DART situation. In a spirit of charity, I would describe council member Philbin’s call for “equitable service” misinformed.
On the issue of value of service, city officials have continued to repeat values that purposely exclude the two rail stations within 300 meters of UP’s border, Mockingbird and Lovers stations. If the mayor believes those stations do not serve the city, which development within city limits does the council plan to knock down to run a rail line and station into it?
The figures also exclude DART bus route 20 along Northwest Highway, which will lose eastbound stops along the University Park border. DART’s Route 20 connecting Preston Center, NorthPark Center, and Park Lane station is the fourth busiest bus line in the DART network.
On the issue of paratransit, the council’s claim of being able to guarantee service is ridiculous on its face to any transit rider. In addition to the burden of having to transfer between services at every city boundary, riders may lose most access to the existing 700-square-mile DART paratransit network. DART paratransit is limited to 21 days annually for passengers who do not reside in a member city or do not have a reciprocal contract with DART.
In calling for a referendum prior to having a comprehensive replacement plan for paratransit, the council is sending a very clear message to our disabled neighbors: they are not an actual concern.
Other cities calling for elections have created laughable lists of demands. Highland Park and University Park can’t be bothered to publicly state their demands. Per DART’s Committee of the Whole meeting in January, the Park Cities have made requests of DART over the past few years that range from sensible to vague wish-casting.
According to a recent Highland Park community survey, the number one issue among town residents is “cut through traffic and congestion.” Neither Highland Park nor University Park has requested the reinstatement of the Hillcrest bus line or the introduction of a line on Mockingbird Lane or Lovers Lane. Highland Park leaders have instead asked DART to construct parking at the new Knox developments, but DART does not own the land around Knox. University Park has asked DART to address SMU game day traffic, but thousands of people already use DART trains and shuttles to access the university. These shuttles are to be cut if University Park pulls out.
Peter Young
Author
