Transportation in Dallas, TX
Transportation in Dallas, TX is served by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) which also aids the nearby cities as well as suburbs. The services of DART are close to many of the major points in the Dallas area which includes streetcar services, busses as well as light rail although the design is a major problem (Simek, 2018). The combination of the three means of transportation makes it easier to travel in areas such as the downtown, the central business district as well as the outskirts of the city but occasionally, it becomes a challenge to get to some destinations. As more people continue to move into the city those who drive their own vehicles to and from work increase, therefore putting a heavy burden on the local infrastructure (Chatman " Noland, 2014). In order to promote the use of public transportation in Dallas, the city should enhance effective leadership, taking into consideration the efficiency of the transportation system.
Significance of the Problem
The infrastructure of Dallas offers DART services but a higher percentage of people prefer to use private means. The problem of over-straining the local infrastructure is significant in addressing the challenges as well as giving the solutions to address the issue. Increased number of private cars in the city is as a result of dissatisfaction of the customers, who prefer to use their own means regardless of the straining involved (Anderson, 2014). As such, there is humongous traffic congestion in the city which can also increase the likelihood of vehicular accidents. In order to combat the issue, the people in Dallas need to be encouraged to use public transportation in the DART services. The result will be a reduction in the use of organic fuel, decreased stress as well as other health issues. Consumers will also save money on the maintenance of their vehicles as well as the cost of fuel.
Effective Leadership
Getting people to ride the public transportation starts from the leadership and the management of the services offered. Leading by example is one of the best ways of ensuring that those who are pushing for the people to use the public transportation also ride with others. The leadership should also remind the people constantly of the benefits of public transportation as well as offering simple promotions. The design of the Dallas transit is one of the biggest challenges that prevent the public from utilizing public means (Simek, 2018). Broader ridership is dissuaded by the routes of the busses and it can only be improved through effective leadership. The number of DART services in Dallas are many and the leadership should strive to attract the public, for instance, by giving them known facts about public transportation in the city. Furthermore, the management should also ensure that the public transport services cater to all the categories of the people in the city.
In order to make the leadership component effective
the local government, the business owners as well as the local transit authority should come together to address the issue of public transportation in the city on a regular basis. Getting the public to be more involved in city transportation gives the people the chance to feel valued by the leadership (Anderson, 2014). As such, a committee that represents the consumers should be formed and the members should not be part of the government, the business owners or even the local transit authority in order to enhance their neutrality in terms of decision making. Complete transparency will also be enhanced with the committee since the transit agency controls the operation of the DART services (Simek, 2018). Effective leadership will, therefore, ensure the people are not regarded as the beneficiaries of public assistance but rather those who are attracted by the convenience of the services offered.
The Transportation System
Many people who use private means to and from work are attracted by the convenience of their vehicles as well as the environment they offer. In order to attract more customers into the public transportation, a convenient environment should be created taking into consideration the diversity of the society. For instance, major bus routes in the city are incomprehensible and most of the busses are overcrowded especially to and from work (Simek, 2018). The transit authority should ensure that the transportation system addresses the major challenges that the people face such as ensuring that people get to their destinations without the need for an Uber. The regime should also maximize ridership rather than the geographical coverage as witnessed in Dallas. The transportation system should also ensure that the peak time hours are addressed to avoid overcrowding in the busses.
The transportation system should also address the challenge presented by the diversity in the society
For instance, the hygiene in the busses and other DART services is a major factor that may force some people to prefer private means. No one would want to catch a cold or flu from someone on public transportation and the drivers, the laws as well as the public health services should ensure that DART services are favorable for everyone (Simek, 2018). Enhancing security is another major challenge that the transportation system should address in order to increase ridership in the city. Safety of the people is a major element that discourage people from using public transportation due to fear of uncertainty. As such, the convenience of the public transportation should be enhanced, making it easy for people to use the DART services.
Using technology to offer the same convenient environment offered in private cars is a major step towards maximizing ridership in public transportation. An effective transportation system should make the transit services more in line with what the public can experience in their own cars (Chatman " Noland, 2014). For instance, a comfortable spacing is a major element that people look for in public transportation. Additionally, DART services could attract more ridership with the utilization of green energy transportation technologies that increase fuel efficiency. The leadership should let the customers decide the technological needs they require in the public transportation. Furthermore, DART services should consider the operation of the city in terms of businesses and those who stay late. By offering more time for the people to complete their activities, the buses would attract more customers who would be assured of the services.
Conclusion
The topic of transportation in Dallas is an important concern, especially when considering the large number of private cars in the city. The DART services should increase the convenience as well as the effectiveness of their operations in order to attract more customers. Leadership and management should be on the frontline, leading by example and making the services better for everyone to feel as comfortable as if they were in their own cars. Further, the needs of the customers should be addressed, taking into consideration the fact that all categories of people in the society use the public transportation.
References
Anderson, M. L. (2014). Subways, strikes, and slowdowns: The impacts of public transit on traffic congestion. American Economic Review, 104(9), 2763-96.
Chatman, D. G., " Noland, R. B. (2014). Transit service, physical agglomeration and productivity in US metropolitan areas. Urban Studies, 51(5), 917-937.
Simek, P. (2018). Dallas Really Can Have a Great Public Transportation System - D Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2014/11/dallas-really-can-have-a-great-public-transportation-system/
