Commendations PRAISE FROM OUR PASSENGERS

A car backed out of a church parking I want to commend Rail Operator All of (Northwest Bus Operator) Alan lot and came directly toward me. If it Shawn Shelton and those in Rail Nations’ “regulars” on the 204 planned our November 2010 hadn’t been for (Paratransit Van Operator) Management for retrieving and returning mornings specifically around riding his Maurice Hill leaning on his horn to alert an important package I left on the train bus and certainly miss him since the May the motorist, I could have easily been a at LBJ/Skillman Station. markup. We all wish him well on his Special Commemorative Issue goner. I would like you to acknowledge - Donald Dickers new route and knew we would eventually this truly life-saving act. lose him anyway once the Green Line - Debra Beneke, Even under threat of physical violence, begins operation. (Northwest Bus Operator) Hector Escobar - Teresa Durham, Carrollton I am a customer service supervisor at a managed to retain his professionalism call center, so I must give credit where and keep a potential explosive encounter (Customer Information Representative) credit is due. Your (Customer Information at the West Transfer Center from getting Alejandro Oller is truly one of the “good Representative) Rochelle Graham is nothing out of control. people.” After not having ridden a bus in short of awesome! - Jesus Navarro, Dallas Dallas in two years, I had a lot of catching - Solidad Rivera, Dallas up to do, and Alex was more than willing When some confusion occurred after the to give me all the information I needed. When I was issued the wrong pass and bus stop relocation at Farmers Branch explained my plight to (Station Monitor) Park & Ride, and my 185 bus left without Louis Thompson, he was more than helpful me, (Transportation Field Supervisor I) Ronald Banks (East Dallas) is the in getting me the proper credentials. I am Louis Driver was responsible for getting consummate bus operator. He has a great very grateful. me home that afternoon. I really like attitude, is always in complete control of - Joni Johnson, Irving the service I receive from DART, and his bus, and when a disruptive passenger employees like Louis is one of the shows up – which is a rarity on the I was very impressed with how reasons why. 283 – he is up for that situation as well. (Northwest Bus Operator) Theodas Giggins - Austin Litman, Carrollton - Rebecca Reary, Garland handled the emergency when the engine exploded, and our Route 184 bus caught A group of young people was on my fire on the Tollway. He told us in a calm, Route 161 trip, making sexually explicit yet firm voice to quickly exit the bus. We comments and cursing as usual, when evacuated without any panic and very (SOCBOF Bus Operator) A.C. Ligon much appreciate his leadership in guiding suddenly stopped the bus and took everyone to safety. command of the situation. I was so - Brenda Clayton, Dallas amazed, I started clapping. I was debating on whether to keep riding DART because the official employee I dropped a dollar out of my wallet while of these wild kids, but seeing that there are newsletter of on the (Paratransit) van, and another those who still care, I will continue buying DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT rider picked it up, and then lied about my monthly pass. not seeing it. In an extraordinary act of - Michael Stevens, Dallas Sue Bauman Vice President, Marketing kindness, the operator, Melvin Edwards, & Communications took a dollar out of his own pocket, which (Station Monitor) Ana Vazquez seems to Yo u connected, and together we’ve achieved enabled me to pay my fare. Please thank always go out of her way to assist both the Robin Stringfellow Director, Communications something that will forever change our him for me. operators and customers at J.B. Jackson, transit system and North . - Keisha Fofanah, Dallas Jr. Transit Center. Her service is greatly Elena Turner Made It appreciated by all. Manager, Communications

(SOCBOF Bus Operator) Darlene Rains - Dorriane Wesley, Dallas Thomas Santana When we open the Green Line conducted herself with considerable Designer December 6, we’ll mark the restraint despite the dual stress of first (East Dallas’) Duane Gaut is one completion of the longest light rail having to detour due to police activities, phenomenal bus operator. During a single Millie Tweddell Internal Communications Coordinator project North America has seen in then dealing with an irate passenger she Route 463 trip, he assisted two young Happen! was attempting to an assist in reaching his ladies with strollers, waited patiently for a Joe Swift recent years. It will be the largest destination. A nice job under pressure. customer approaching the stop to board, Photographic Coordinator Your commitment – as an employee, opening in our own history – - Larry Bible, Dallas and still managed to get his customers to Honored by the National a workgroup and a department – surpassing even the 1996 opening of Association of Government the station on time, maintaining a sweet Communicators and your teamwork agencywide our starter system. In fact, it will be and courteous personality all the while. have combined to create something America’s largest single-day opening of - Brenda Clayton, Dallas Visit DARTnet or www.DART.org for the latest news and events. far bigger than ourselves. We’re all electric-powered light rail in 20 years.

132-004-1210 TS continued The Green Line Changes Everything! IT’S ALL CONNECTED!

continued from p. 1 Challenges Along the Way guideway was like building a ship The Southeast Corridor has involved a in a bottle because the work area unique challenge that DART has never You Made it Happen! A significant achievement such as was so hemmed in on all sides,” faced before and will never face again: the Green Line involves overcoming says Construction Engineering going through the nation’s largest The Green Line is part of the largest major challenges along the way. For Manager Bill Stinson. urban forest. See the following related service change in our agency’s While the Green example, the sheer size and scope article, “Taking Quality of Life to a history, one that will make it of the Green Line expansion in the The segment New Level” (page 6). easier and faster for thousands of Line opening is still Northeast Corridor – 17.6 miles of track between commuters to access vital work, a few weeks away, and 12 stations – involved tremendous Inwood/ Kudos Now and More to Come shopping, medical, educational, and its significance to coordination. DART needed to Love Field entertainment destinations across work closely with numerous utility and Burbank Stakeholders such as the Dallas Market our service area. At the same time, our customers, companies, TxDOT, the North Texas stations was Center, and nearby hotels it will deliver vast, new economic member cities Tollway Authority and other agencies another have eagerly awaited the Market development opportunities with the and the region is all along the alignment. “We also had major issue. Center Station. Hospitals and related power to change the urban lifestyle. already apparent: to confer with the Federal Aviation “In addition facilities also know what a boon the Administration (FAA) near Love Field to our own Southwestern Medical District/Parkland Because of your efforts, DART is so that the height of our equipment Bill Stinson construction, Station will be. “In fact, Parkland is growing its reputation – nationally did not interfere with low-flying planes we had to building a new facility next to the and internationally – as a taking off and landing,” Avalos says. relocate a rail line for freight and station,” Rosteet points out. progressive public transit agency “Customers can’t wait to ride the Green Line,” says Cynthia Brooks, improve large sections of Denton consistently completing major Customer Service senior manager. “They started calling the Customer Information The alignment Drive,” Stinson adds. Other stations – like Royal Lane – may projects on time and on budget. Center about it in early November, and the call volume has increased every day.” also features have a lower profile, but they mean a five aerial Some residents and business owners lot to people they serve. The station is I salute each of you for what you’ve stations that in the Love Field area were very a gateway to the Asian Trade District, achieved together. Please take time are unlike any concerned about the unavoidable and its art and design celebrate the to savor this great milestone and “Everyone in the Southeast Corridor is welcoming us with open arms,” other station disruption that large-scale construction area’s Asian heritage. “I cannot tell congratulate yourself and your reports Lawrence Meshack, Community Affairs senior manager. in the system. often causes, notes Rosa Rosteet, you how proud and excited the Asian coworkers. Together, you made Building them Community Affairs representative. community is about the station,” it happen! involved However, communicating more she says. “Rail stations are a gateway,” notes, Rail Planning Project Manager III drilling deep often and providing street, sidewalk footings and landscaping improvements People in Farmers Branch and Sincerely, Kay Shelton. “They give the community access to the rest of the system George Avalos for massive helped DART address their concerns, Carrollton also are elated, since and vice versa.” columns, and each station projects she reports. they’ve waited 14 years after the out from a single cantilevered beam, light rail starter Gary Thomas almost as if it is suspended in mid- system debuted President/Executive Director Upcoming Green Line projects and other transit-oriented air. “We designed them this way for to get rail service, engineering reasons, but as a result, points out Project development also are revitalizing cities and the way people want to they also look very striking and Manager III Kay live,” points out Jack Wierzenski, Economic Development director. beautiful,” Avalos says. Shelton.

Another construction challenge was building a depressed guideway – a “The Green Line is the ‘gift that keeps on 30-foot deep, below-grade track giving.’ It will change the quality of life in our under both Mockingbird Lane and member cities and the region forever,” sums the DGNO freight line. Closing the up Facilities Engineering Project Manager III busy street – a primary access into George Avalos. Love Field Airport – simply was not an option. “Building the depressed

-2- -3- The Green Line Changes Everything!

continued from p. 3

Both cities have high hopes and concrete plans for how the Green Line will change – in fact, transform – them. Each has set aside land and positioned itself to take advantage of transit-oriented development, as the economy improves, says Jack Wierzenski, Economic Development director.

For example, Farmers Branch, which has never had a town square, now Thanks to the Green Line, Carrollton Super Saturday last September 4, when is creating now also has the potential to become the first four stations in the Southeast one around one of the region’s major transit Corridor debuted. Deep Ellum, Baylor its downtown hubs, Shelton reports. Denton County University Medical Center, , which Jack Wierzenski Transportation Authority (DCTA) trains and MLK, Jr. stations are very diverse is within will connect with DART Rail at the and all had special reasons to celebrate walking distance of its city hall and in the near term when they opened: attracting new 27-acre Historical Park. The city also and the Downtown Carrollton Station customers, serving employees and has designated another 117 acres in the future. Downtown Carrollton patients, and enhancing museums’ around the station and park for Station also is in DART’s Cotton attendance and educational mission, development, Wierzenski notes. Belt Corridor. respectively.

“Transit will “Southeast Dallas has seen the transform positive impact DART Rail has had on Carrollton’s communities, particularly in South future, “Shelton and West , over the years,” In early October, Info Squad teams began making presentations about riding the Green Line to employers in the medical and Asian trade center districts, around Market Center and the says. “I think notes Lawrence Meshack, Community INFOMART, social services agencies such as the Senior Connection and other employers. Super Saturday Affairs senior manager. “They’ve Marketing & Communications Info Squad. From left: Dawn Dorman (Community Affairs), Janie Pena (External Affairs AVP), Trinidad Moreno (Customer Service Center) and on December 4 waited for their turn, and now their Jessica Lennon (Education Outreach). will be a day time has come.” to remember.” This corridor will be strengthened Dallas, points out Rail Planning The fourth and most southern new walking distance from the station. Even the pouring with three new stations – Hatcher, Project Manager III John Hoppie. station, Bucker Station, will help “Education has the power to rain could Lawnview and Lake June. They’ll revitalize the business and industrial change people’s lives and the life not dampen serve South Dallas – one of the most “Bus ridership in the corridor is area that surrounds it, he adds. It also of the community as a whole,” the crowd’s transit-dependent areas in our service already strong, and the Green Line will connect potential students with Meshack notes. “And the Green Line enthusiasm on area – and Pleasant Grove – one of will connect riders more conveniently affordable educational opportunities changes everything.” the most explosively growing areas in to destinations in the north and west,” because Eastfield College has opened a Parkland/Southwest Medical District Station Hoppie adds. Pleasant Grove satellite campus within

continued -4- -5- Taking Quality of Life to a New Level GOIN’ GREEN

the Southeast Corridor build-out,” In traditional transit terms, DART fastest-growing urban areas in the points out David Ehrlicher, Facilities achieves this by helping reduce nation,” he says. Engineering assistant vice president. traffic congestion and commute Although trees in DART’s right-of time and improving air quality. way are not subject to tree mitigation But we also achieve our mission ordinances, DART saved as many by helping area residents to What’s so great about other trees as possible. conveniently enjoy leisure destinations and other urban attractions. the Great Trinity Forest? “We also preserved small streams by building short bridges over them “Now we’re taking our mission to a • Located only five minutes from instead of diverting them,” noted whole new level,” McKay says. “We’re Shirmanesh. Drainage improvements giving people access to a free park • Includes approximately 6,000 DART made at and and trail system where they can picnic, acres – seven times bigger than at Keeton Crossing lessen flooding hike, bike, run, skate, bird-watch or New York City’s Central Park caused by the city’s overtaxed just be with nature and observe the • Stretches along the drainage system. seasons change.” and its floodplain from Corinth Street all the way south to I-20. Even the fencing along the right-of- “Goin’ Green” means a lot of things, • Contains wetland, meadowland and prairie habitats, as well as a way and between the tracks has small, McKay points out. It’s more than just hardwood forest “critter-size” gaps at the bottom to the color on the maps and signs • Features approximately 30 ponds allow animals to traverse their natural we’re using on our newest rail line. and a small man-made lake habitat and escape predators, It means acting in an environmentally • Provides shelter to over 100 McKay adds. responsible way. “And it’s a unique native and migratory bird species natural resource where people can and a wide variety of small The Great Trinity Forest is less than five miles from downtown Dallas and only minutes away via Pearl Station to Lawnview Station, where the Green Line enters the forest. The design also includes “people- ride DART to wander in a beautiful forest animals Photo by Elena Turner friendly” crossings. For example, a new forest and forget they’re in one of the bridge over a creek near Bruton Road Located less than five miles from and became more urban in the 1950s. June station on a ridge overlooking incorporates a pedestrian underpass downtown Dallas, the Great Trinity Spring floods deposited seeds from DART’s right-of-way. so hikers can cross safely under the Forest is the largest urban hardwood upstream guideway, Ehrlicher points out. forest in America. Yet, it is a “hidden trees, and over DART is very respectful of the Other DART rail stations provide gem” that many residents know little or 6,000 acres forest’s ecosystem. For example, the access to the Great Trinity Forest as nothing about, points out Tim McKay, became forest. Green Line alignment minimizes well. The 8th & Corinth Station, the Rail Program Development SVP. environmental impact by following last southern station to serve both the The forest the old Southern Pacific Railroad Red and Blue lines, adjoins the Moore But that will change when the has a unique Corridor instead of cutting a new Park Gateway, a major entry into the Green Line opens. Passengers in the human history swath through the forest, notes Project forest. , on the Green Southeast Corridor will be transported as well. “Back Manager III Reza Shirmanesh. “We built Line’s Northwest Corridor, provides into the vast, dense forest between when we were retaining walls close to the track so access to the ’s existing the new Lawnview and Lake June conducting the there would be minimal disturbance trailhead by the American Airlines stations. “This is the most intriguing Environmental Tim McKay for trees and vegetation,” he adds. Center, and it may connect to the and breathtaking section of the DART Impact Study, future Trinity Strand Trail on the other system,” McKay says. a member of the Comanche Nation “We worked with the City of side of Stemmons Freeway. told us that, according to tribal history, Dallas and the Dallas Parks & Situated in the floodplain of the Trinity a Comanche ‘Story Telling Place’ was Recreation Department to replace McKay notes that one of the major River, the forest was once cotton fields, located in the forest,” McKay says. “We trees of exceptional quality that goals in DART’s mission statement DART worked very hard from the initial planning phase throughout construction to minimize the rail’s environmental impact on which were abandoned as Dallas grew actually found it just north of Lake were damaged or removed during is to “improve the quality of life.” the forest and its ecosystem.

-6- -7- Here’s how the Green Line connects regional commuters and area residents to a wide array of employment All Aboard for Green Line! centers, medical districts, restaurants and retailers, and cultural and recreational opportunities! STATION DESTINATIONS & ATTRACTIONS

Farmers Branch Station • Historic park with an 1840’s log cabin, original train depot and • Eclectic, urban neighborhood, accented restored Victorian home by a series of outdoor murals • Bird sanctuary and rose gardens • Live music venues, restaurants and • Farmer’s Branch City Hall retail shops • Galleries offering fine art, photography and sculpture North Carrollton/ • Gateway to the Asian Trade District Frankford Station • More than 300 Asian wholesale and • T.C. Rice Nature Park retail shops, restaurants, and • Frankford Trade Center small businesses • Indian Creek • Greater Dallas Asian American Golf Course Chamber of Commerce • Eastfield College – Pleasant Grove MLK, Jr. Station Campus satellite • Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and facility Burbank Station Learning Center, Community Center, • Pleasant Grove Trinity Mills Station • Southwest Airlines headquarters Senior Center and Health Center Shopping Center • Korean retail district • Grauwyler Recreation Center • Social Security Administration • Business and • Sandy Lake Amusement Park • Grauwyler Park Branch Library office and Black Chamber industrial area and Elm Fork Nature Center of Commerce • Connection to the future Walnut Hill/Denton • Alternate gateway to Fair Park Denton County Transportation Station Authority’s A-train • UPS Distribution Center • Parker College of Chiropractic Lawnview Station • Historic Parkdale • Neighborhood shopping Burbank Community Baylor University Medical • Lawnview Park Center Station Downtown Carrollton Station • Keeton Park • Baylor Dallas hospital and Golf Course • Historic town square with medical research and antique and gift shops teaching facilities and restaurants Bachman Station • Bachman Lake • Dallas Theological • Stoneworks (old grain tower), Seminary the nation’s tallest indoor rock Recreation Center • Dallas Police Department- • Alternate gateway to climbing gym Deep Ellum • A.W. Perry Homestead Museum Northwest Division • City of Dallas – Public Works Department Southwestern Medical District/ Parkland Station Victory Station Fair Park Station • 387-acre medical complex • American Airlines Center, home to • National historic landmark • UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars, with America’s largest collection Parkland Health and Hospital System, concerts and other events of Art Deco exposition architecture Children’s Medical Center Dallas, • 72-acre Victory Park development, • Nine museums and six University Hospital - St. Paul and featuring promenades, a plaza and park performance venues Blue Line’s Lake Highlands Station Inwood/Love Field Station University Hospital - Zale Lipshy. • Restaurants and retail shopping • Cotton Bowl Stadium and home Also Opens December 6 • Inwood Medical Clinic • Future Parkland hospital facility built to the nation’s largest state fair directly adjacent to the rail platform. DOWNTOWN • Weichsel Park GARLAND • Cherrywood Park DOWNTOWN ROWLETT Hatcher Station FOREST/JUPITER • Parkdale and Lawnview parks LBJ/SKILLMAN (Opening 12/2012) • Juanita J. Craft Recreation & LAKE HIGHLANDS Market Center Station Senior Center Lake June Station • DART’s first infill station • Dallas Market Center, the world’s • Housing Resource Center and • Rochester Park • Most construction/crane work done most complete wholesale Business Assistance Center • DeVonne Anderson Park WHITE ROCK without interrupting service merchandise resource • Future trailhead to the • Adjacent to Lake Highlands Town Center, • INFOMART, a major center for Great Trinity Forest a planned, 70-acre, mixed-use development technology offices, data centers currently under construction and other businesses MOCKINGBIRD • Nearby hotels for business and leisure travelers

-8- -9- They’re All Connected to the Green Line! THE RAIL PLANNING/ PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM

Project Control Rail Programs Support

Keeping track of the $1.8 billion budget other tasks. “We relay this information DART must have the operations capacity expansions. We also retrofitted rail station for the Green Line and related projects to project managers so they can be to successfully support the Green Line, platforms to serve the low-floor SLRVs to is no easy task. But thanks to Project proactive rather than reactive in terms of points out Chris Masters, AVP Rail Program make it quicker and easier for people Control, DART has been more than a resolving issues that impact costs,” says Support. Two major initiatives help DART with disabilities, bikes and strollers to good steward of the public trust; it’s Project Control Manager Anita Nitsche. achieve that, he notes. We bought 48 new board and deboard. “That, in turn, reduces been an exemplary one! Project Control “It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” Super Light Rail Vehicles (SLRVs) and in-station dwell time and improves on-time staff and DART consultant Brad Mason adds Mason. Bottom line: The Green retrofitted the current fleet of 115 LRVs to performance. Everything is connected!” track and control estimates compared Line, despite its size and scope, is SLRVs, to serve passengers on the Green Masters says. to actual costs, the construction Line and future Orange and Blue Line Anita Nitsche trending on budget and on schedule. schedule and any change orders for the Chris Masters Green Line buildout, among many

Quality Assurance & Systems Integration Construction Safety Light rail systems involve very complex interfaces on that system work correctly, By working together closely, DART and its have worked a total of almost 9.4 million electronics and other high-tech equipment. and then we focus on making sure all the Green Line contractors have developed a man-hours on the Green Line with only DART’s Systems Integration workgroup systems work together to ensure a safe “world-class safety program and excellence 19 cents in worker compensation per work coordinates signal systems, traction and efficient operation,” points outEvelio in quality,” says Debra Hebisen, Quality hour, compared to DART’s goal of 35 cents electrification, communication and control Hernandez, AVP Systems Engineering/ Assurance & Construction Safety director. and the national average of $1.58. “We can systems, and the way they relate to the Systems Integration. “We test everything, It’s a bold claim, but the facts bear her take a lot of pride in sending our workers track and right-of-way, light rail vehicles and then we test it again … and again,” out. Fully 98% of the contractors’ work home safely every day and delivering a and passenger amenities such as Ticket he says. “All the systems need to work met DART’s contractual standards, and the quality project to our patrons,” Hebisen says. Vending Machines. “We work with each correctly all the time for a train to operate.” other 2% has been corrected or is being system supplier and contractor to make Evelio Hernandez corrected. Contractors and subcontractors Debra Hebisen sure thousands of inputs and

Construction Management Rail Planning

There’s an old saying, ‘The best never rest.’ issues beforehand instead of creating DART has withstood fierce competition cost and ridership projections – to provide Although DART’s previous construction expensive change orders during from other transit agencies for the required documentation and present management method, Design/Bid/Build, on construction, and they gave us some good discretionary Federal New Starts funding, a persuasive case for a grant award,” he the Red and Blue lines was very successful, cost-reduction ideas that also enhanced notes Steve Salin, VP Rail Planning, and says. As part of the ongoing process, Rail we decided to use a new method, dubbed project quality,” says Diane Gollhofer, AVP has proven repeatedly that we can bring Planning now is compiling the first phase Construction Management/General Contractor Construction Management. “It also helped in rail projects on time and on budget. But of a before-and-after study to compare (CM/GC), for the Green Line. Rail Program troubleshoot and problem-solve issues more there is another reason for our success. our predictions about ridership, cost, Development brought in the construction quickly when they arose on site,” points out “We work years in advance through the service levels and land use with the actual Diane Gollhofer contractors to get their insights and input consultant Scott Ashley. In short, striving for various funding application stages – from outcomes after the line opens. Steve Salin while the Green Line was still in the final continuous improvement and being willing the initial needs assessment to detailed design stage. “They helped prevent some to try CM/GC paid off significantly for DART.

-10- -11- Establishing an Identity and Celebrating a Community Behind the Scenes of the Largest Service Change Ever DART STATION ART & DESIGN PROGRAM AN ALL-OUT, TOTAL TEAM EFFORT

DART Rail stations share “We also keep the a common design and Board aware of and standardized amenities informed about staff such as canopies, seating, recommendations – lighting, column finishes, particularly since it must windscreens, fencing and approve any service landscaping. This helps change,” notes Planning 2 DART achieve the same 1 & Development VP standard of quality in all Todd Plesko. They began the stations and realize briefing the Board’s some cost efficiencies, notes David Ehrlicher, Facilities Engineering AVP.

It also helps DART establish 3 a very visible and familiar systemwide identity to help our passengers find stations and access the system. The stations also become useful landmarks that help pedestrians and drivers 4 5 6 Leader of the Pack. Clarence Barber has served as the first and only chairman of the Service Change Task Force since June 1996, when the light navigate through the rail starter system opened and bus and rail service began to interface with each other. Todd Plesko surrounding area, Ehrlicher notes. “At the same time, the station amenities “The Green Line service change develop the big picture, or what the Planning Committee as far back as also are unique to each will be even bigger than the grand puzzle needs to look like, based on December 2009, and the Committee-of- station. Residents on a opening of the light rail starter system ridership needs and available funding. the-Whole up until May 10 when the neighborhood advisory in June 1996,” says Service Planning Then they cut up the puzzle into board approved the service change. committee help select a Improvement Project Manager III pieces – routes with specific stops and station theme that reflects Clarence Barber and the Service time schedules.” And just as puzzle DART must inform customers the local history, character Change Task Force leader. pieces must fit together, bus routes, and listen to their questions and and values that shaped the stops and schedules must connect concerns whenever there is a service area. Then the amenities – Barber notes that 105 bus routes with other buses and the DART Rail change, notes Community Affairs 7 8 column finishes, pavers will be impacted by the Green Line system, he notes. Senior Manager Lawrence Meshack. and so on – help portray 1. Lake June Station paver inlay. 2. Hatcher Station retaining wall. 3. Market Center Station stairwell. 4. column. opening. The service change adds Community Affairs and Service 5. Inwood/Love Field Station column. 6. Walnut Hill/Denton Station column relief. 7. Lawnview Station fencing. 8. Buckner Station windscreen. that theme,” explains 19 new routes, modifies 39 routes, “The Best Surprise Is …” Planning representatives conducted Facilities Engineering changes the frequency of service on a total of 21 public meetings, open Project Manager III Steve Bourn. 35 routes, discontinues nine routes Service changes can create a lot of houses and briefings within a 28-day heritage, and then the area’s early and the last impression of the area, and re-numbers three routes. customer concerns. “That’s why the period, solicited written and email While every station has its own industrial growth and the coming and they create a permanent sense best surprise is no surprise, when it comments and held a public meeting theme, three Green Line stations – of the railroad. of place.” “Making a service change is like comes to keeping elected officials and in the board room, where over 30 Lawnview, Lake June and Buckner – creating and assembling a giant jigsaw staff in our member cities informed,” people signed up to speak.“We take collaboratively trace Southeast Dallas “Rail stations provide a door to The result is a series of passenger puzzle,” says Rob Smith, AVP Service points out Michael Miles, Government public input very seriously, and, as history from the Great Trinity Forest the surrounding neighborhood or facilities that are more than convenient Planning & Development. “Service Relations senior manager. “That way, a result, DART adjusted some of its and Comanche origins to the early community,” Bourn notes. “They transit points. They are uncommon Planning and Scheduling employees they can respond when they get phone proposed service changes,” he says. pioneers and the area’s agricultural often create the first impression – works of public art. calls from their citizens.”

continued -12- -13- Behind the Scenes of the Largest Service Change Ever

continued from p. 13

Coordinating Dozens of Customer Website Designer Elizabeth Elam who changes, notes service change begins,” notes Building Information Details has to revise almost the entire Darryl Parham, & Grounds Supervisor II J.R. Ramirez. Five Key Factors DART.org site. In addition to posting Northwest Fleet That means Passenger Amenities in Planning and A service change involves a great deal the 105 new bus schedules and all the Services senior mechanics must fan out through Scheduling Bus Routes of advance planning and coordination rail schedules, she builds a new web manager. DART’s 700 square-mile service area behind the scenes to inform our riders. page for each new rail station as well to complete two important tasks under For example Geographic Information as the new system and rail maps. Elizabeth Elam will intense time pressure: taking down all Satellite (GIS) Data Collection wait until Monday the signs on discontinued routes and 1. RIDERSHIP & COST-EFFECTIVENESS Technician Lakeitha Moore drives each Lopez also works with Print Production morning at 1:00 installing service change information • Understanding where customers bus route, noting the GIS location of and Customer Information Manager a.m. to remove all at all the new routes. are and trip patterns both new and deleted bus stops and Denise Johnson and a team of other the existing route • Service performance measures: measuring the distance between them. Creative Services employees who and schedule “It’s an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ effort. subsidy per passenger, generate all info on the This is a very big service change, but passengers per hour and the new bus DART.org website I have a lot of faith in our mechanics. passengers per trip schedules and Planning Project Manager I David Winters and AVP Maintenance Joe Coker confer on and then post We work together as a team, and a wide array the number of buses and mechanics needed on each shift. everything related everyone pitches in and does their 2. HEADWAYS/FREQUENCY of signage. to the Green Line best,” says Guy Crosby, Building & • Amount of time between buses opening and Grounds Supervisor I. that serve the same route Gearing Up customer service representatives to service change. “The entire website • Typically ranges from every to Serve Our respond to riders asking in advance basically flips over,” she says. “Every time we have a service change, 5 to 60 minutes Customers about the service change, while I wonder how we’ll pull it off,” says • Impact on potential ridership continuing to provide information on “We can’t confuse customers by Ramirez. “But we do, and I know we “This is a current routes and schedules. taking down the current signage and will this time too.” 3. ROUTE SPEED massive service installing the new signage until the • Downtown buses average change for our “We anticipate that we’ll 6-8 m.p.h. customers,” set a record for the highest • Express routes on freeways go notes Executive volume of calls we answer up to 45 m.p.h. Vice President on Monday, December 6, • Fleet average of 14.5 m.p.h. of Operations and even for the week and Victor Burke. the month,” says Cynthia Planners brief bus operators and field supervisors, station monitors and other workgroups 4. FINAL DESTINATIONS AND “It’s going to Brooks, Customer Service MAJOR STOPS about the service change to help them serve customers. From left: Linicha Hunter, Angie Gamez and Janette Hill. attract a lot of senior manager. • Make convenient bus and first-time riders rail connections Her data generate information for and require many current bus riders Countdown: • Stop at major employers at key the voice annunciator, or the bus – who may be unhappy at first – to The Last 72 Hours work times and shift changes automated voice system which learn new schedules, routes and stops. announces major stops and displays Everyone on the front line needs to Some major tasks must 5. OPERATING COST them on the bus LED signs for riders. know the service change forward wait until the final • Number of vehicles She also submits the GIS information and backward so we can serve them hours before the service • Amount of operator hours to Passenger Amenities mechanics with excellence.” change. For example, bus • Number of miles who begin installing poles and mechanics will work right • Cycle time – amount of time to making sign decals for all the new IT Systems Analyst Jaime Rodriquez was up to Monday morning make a round trip on a route bus stop signs. responsible for programming the service pullout, reprogramming the change information on the Trapeze automatic voice annunciator Schedule Information Coordinator Alma software for the Customer Information and the LED sign on every Marketing & Communications employees work to provide our customers with service change information on DART signage and publications. From left: Thi Huynh, Taty Benavidez, Ardra English, Joe Gomez, Denise Johnson, Tim Johnson, Jere Beagley and Vanek Lopez sends the information to Internet Center (CIC) by September. This allows bus to reflect the service Love.

-14- -15- DARTING Around DEPARTMENT/DIVISION NEWS Behind the Scenes of the Largest Service Change Ever

continued from p. 15

The Times, They Are A-Changin’ A Gathering of Heroes DART POLICE

Seven DART police officers helped stage the statewide Special Olympics, held last May, for 2,700 children and adults with disabilities. “Special Olympians trust and respect police officers,” says OfficerMelanie Cade, who organized the volunteer effort. People with disabilities are often told that police officers are their friend, to go to an officer if they 5,000,000 100,000 100,000 60,000 2,100 need help and so on, she noted. Bus schedules System maps Rail Schedule Service change Bus operator route for 137 routes pocket guides brochures guides “We’re their heroes,” Cade says. “And they have become

my heroes, as well.” The other Front row: Special Olympians and Officer Melanie Cade, volunteer chair. Second row: Officers Adria Worsham, Penelope Flores and Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign! officers agree. “Every day is a Jennifer Smith. Third row: Officers Carl Davis, Fletcher Spencer and Lee Cannon. struggle for these kids, and they still have a smile on their face,” 3,152 151 notes OfficerJennifer Smith. activities. “It was a joyful thing. That evening, the officers, in uniform “The courage they show is amazing.” We put smiles on their faces and and led by patrol cars, lined up on schedules at 174 TVM Rail Guide-A-Ride 273 System Maps they put smiles on ours,” says Officer each yard line on the football field. bus stops Maxi-Pylon – Officers from around the state, Fletcher Spencer who has a daughter, Then the Special Olympian teams Customer Mini-Pylon – Information Maps Rail Schedules accompanied by dozens of squad Joycelyn who is mentally handicapped. entered, carrying flags from their cars with flashing lights, schools or cities. “It’s kicked off the event with very rewarding to see a one-mile run into the them in the spotlight, University of Texas – and people accept Arlington Stadium, while them for who they are,” all the Special Olympians said OfficerCarl Davis, clapped and cheered them whose son Jeremy is on. “What touched me most autistic. was seeing a father holding his child who was one of the “It was the most athletes, and waving with inspirational and tears running down his face,” motivational event I’ve says OfficerAdria Worsham. ever participated in,” Smith sums up. The officers then acted as DART Officer Lee Cannon and his Special Olympian partner participated in the Spring Olympics “cheerleaders” and “huggers” torch run. Cannon ran in memory of his brother Cecil, a Special Olympian with cerebral palsy, as they helped stage the track who passed away in 1994. and field events and other

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Division Level Measurement The Fab Four “They have the planning skills and “They’ve built excellent working The following workgroups won the quarterly Division Level Measurement Award for achieving the COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND RAIL PLANNING technical knowledge, plus they relationships with influential understand the public process.” stakeholders, as well as key leaders highest percentage of their performance targets: Numerous DART employees have in our member cities. They’ve also worked on the Green Line over the “Lawrence and Rosa have been very been effective at the grass-roots level, last 12 years. But only four – Project strong champions for DART,” says working with neighborhood residents’ Management employees Kay Shelton Janie Peña, External Affairs AVP. and small business owners’ concerns.” Rail Service Delivery Materials Management and John Hoppie and Community Affairs Rail Operations returned to the winner’s circle, scoring a perfect 100% in eight out of its 10 target goals and fending off second-place SOCBOF, which had a winning streak that lasted over a year. employees Lawrence Meshack and Rosa Rosteet – have consistently seen the massive project through from developing the initial needs assessment in 1998 all the way through opening Ways, Structures and Amenities revenue service on December 6, 2010.

They have conducted Materials Management came out on top in the always competitive Operations Support peer close to a thousand group. It achieved 96.2% of its goals, beating Central Support by less than 2%. public meetings and hearings, DART Board Mobility Management Services briefings, conferences (formerly Paratransit Services) with federal, state and local agencies and member-city elected officials and staff. They’ve also made Fleet Maintenance presentations and met Left row: Rail Planning Project Manager III John Hoppie and Community Affairs Representative Rosa Rosteet. Right row: Community Affairs with stakeholders such Senior Manager Lawrence Meshack and Rail Planning Project Manager III Kay Shelton. as major employers, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, home and business owners and others. In addition to working the typical Monday-Friday “John and Lawrence have been DART’s public face in the business week, they held most Southeast Corridor and Kay and Rosa have been its public of these meetings at night and on occasional Saturdays. face in the Northwest Corridor. They are a true team in Paratransit Planning and Scheduling continued as the reigning champions in the Customer every sense of the word.” Service peer group by scoring 100% on five of its six target goals. Customer Service placed second. “John and Kay are super-talented and have been a tremendous asset – Janie Peña, External Affairs AVP Rail Operations to the Green Line,” says Steve Salin, Rail Planning vice president.

-18- -19- Getting from Here to There Come to Super Saturday for Super-Duper Family Fun! FISCAL YEAR 2011 BOARD GOALS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1- 4 P.M.

“We know what we need to do and how With that in mind, Gomez the Board will measure our progress.” and the DART board have – Ben Gomez, EVP Administration been working closely together since last May to draft the Board goals for FY11, and then finalized them via an official resolution. There’s an old saying, “if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s hard “The goals tell us clearly what the to get there.” That particularly Board’s priorities are and what they Ben Gomez applies to goals, says Ben Gomez, expect us to focus on in FY11,” he Bring your family to Super Saturday, ride the new Green Line free and check out our EVP Administration. “It is also says. “We know what we need to 20 beautiful stations! See if you can spot The Grinch, who will ride entire Green Line important for the goals to be realistic, do and how the Board will measure and make brief stops at the six stations hosting a Super Saturday the event. objective and measurable,” he notes. our progress.” These six stations will host fun activities for everyone and will feature a variety of community, food and vendor booths, as well as live radio remote broadcasts: FISCAL YEAR 2011 BOARD GOALS Downtown Carrollton Station – A holiday celebration that coordinates with Carrollton’s “Christmas on the Square.” ArtLoveMagic, an organization 1. Complete scheduled light rail 3. Expand revenue development 5. Award CNG bus and facilities that creates live interactive experiences, will be joined by a list of local expansion milestones, and actively strategies to include new grant construction contracts. musicians performing live. pursue financially prudent strategies funding, public/private initiatives, Farmers Branch Station – A family fete featuring local organizations such in support of all major rail expansion sales tax, fares, contracting, and user 6. Leverage technology for maximum as Brookhaven College, the Historical Park and fun activities commitments and opportunities. revenue opportunities. benefit to customers, stakeholders for kids. and the agency business plan. • Green Line, I-1, I-2, Rowlett • Paid parking demonstration Royal Lane Station – A celebration of Asian culture and the Asian • I-3, D-2, SOC-3 • HOT lanes plan design • Positive train control Trade District, hosted with the help of the Greater Dallas Asian • Cotton Belt and other • Rapid Card American Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dallas Korean 2. Implement financial plan and budget future projects • Security enhancements Chamber of Commerce. measures to achieve structural balance • Residential utilities tax • TVM conversion by FY13, including the following: Inwood/Love Field Station – A fiesta and travel fair you won’t want to miss with 4. Refine and strengthen DART’s role tie-ins to Southwest Airlines, Love Field, community organizations and live • Bus service changes, as a regional transportation leader, entertainment. • Other operations cost including pursuit of legislative and Lawnview Station – Family-oriented activities range from face painters, bounce reductions, other enabling mechanisms for houses and balloon artists to informative exhibits from community organizations. • Additional debt management, greater flexibility to provide services and both within and outside of the Buckner Station – A celebration of the Trinity River Audubon Center • Adjustments to staffing levels service area. opening, that also includes tie-ins to Eastfield College – Pleasant Grove and alignment, accomplished in campus, Dal-Tile Corporation and other area businesses. a way that minimizes negative • Legislative agenda impact on productivity, morale • Regional transit expansion and agency perception and coordination

-20- -21- Milestones EMPLOYMENT RECOGNITION

Anniversaries: June 1- August 31, 2010 Alan Gorman Kimberly Cooper-Williams Annette Yarbrough Mai Nguyen Marie Benton Dennis Mochon Transit IT Systems Senior Bus Operator Bus Operator Technical Project Analyst HR Project Manager Marketing & Advertising AVP (Based on adjusted date of hire) Manager Vivian Crayton Amed Omar Perry Branch Ebony Neal Elvis James Bus Operator 10 Years Bus Operator Bus Mechanic DART Police Telecommunicator Servicer 40 Years Mark Richey Ricardo Cruz Christopher Adams Lasonya Page Odis Carter Rido Park Bus Mechanic Alphonso Jenkins Rail Operator Bus Mechanic Bus Operator Bus Operator Web Developer II Juan Ibarra LRV Structural Mechanic Bus Operator Larry Roberson Pedro Cuba Mervin Anderson Fernando Palmer Cylinda Chapman Charles Richardson Bus Operator/Instructor Debbie Jones Bus Operator Assistant to the Risk DART Police Officer Administrative Coordinator Bus Operator IT Analyst Management AVP 30 Years David Ross Mattie Davis Michael Parker Juan Chavez Margarita Rivera Bus Dispatcher I Johnnie Arrington Linda Brooks Glenn Larson Bus Operator Bus Operator Body Mechanic Central Support Mechanic Buyer HOV Operator Senior Assistant General James Shade Counsel Timothy Davis Sonia Perez Zunayed Choudhury Joseph Roberson Rail Operations Assistant Donya Battiest Lloyd Carreathers Bus Operator Lead HR Generalist Bus Operator Rail Operator Rail Central Support Mechanic Lead Servicer Training Manager Iris Long Rail Operations Field Louis Dominguez Jose Rivera Kay Clark Raul Salinas W.C. Sneed Jr. Supervisor I Rail Operator Allen (Bud) Beene Communications Supervisor III Casualty Claims Adjuster II Bus Operator Johnny Herrera Paratransit Scheduling Civil Project Manager III Bus Operator Project Manager I Santos Mata Felecia Edney Tashia Shaw David Cruz Thomas Serdar Bus Operator Bus Operator John Boyd Bus Operator Signal Maintainer Project Manager I Darcus Johnson Rocky Spencer Material Management Payroll Specialist Bus Operator Albert Monk Katy Galindo Technician Nathaniel Terry Sr. Sharon Curry David Strauss DART Police Sergeant General Accounting Logistics Planner Bus Operator Bus Operator Gary Slocum Willie Toliver Senior Manager Artis Brackens Sales Agent I Bus Operator Jose Ramirez LRV Structural Mechanic Jessie Thomas Andrea Deamon Angel Sutton Rail Operator Roberto Garay Bus Operator Business Planning Project Bus Operator Hector Villacana Robert Tressell Bus Operator Jeremy Carpenter Manager Lead Bus Mechanic Bus Dispatcher I Rodney Rogers Bus Mechanic Nancy Torres Louis Thompson Technical Services/ Evelana Garrett Certification Representative James Edwards Station Monitor Leonard Williams Donald Walker Waylon Chamberlain Rail Operations Field Maintenance AVP Rail Operator DART Police Officer Bus Operator Supervisor I Bus Operator Beverly Turner Carolyn Weatherall Salomon Salazar Cheral Hollins Bus Operator Peter Forde Contracts Specialist Paul Wallace Rail Operations Field Bus Operator Romelia Colon Bus Operator 25 Years Bus Operator Supervisor I Bus Operator Daniel Valdez Robin White Fausto Ibarra Rail Operator Damion Forteau Bus Operator Homer Butler Leonard White Maria Vara Bus Operator Edna Edmond Rail Central Support Mechanic Bus Operator Paratransit Dispatch Paratransit Dispatch Supervisor Fare Equipment Mechanic Henry Valdez Rahel Zecharias Supervisor Kimela Johnson HOV Operator Charles Gary Senior General Accountant Dennis Carey Parteejallah Varmah Bus Operator Marvin Fordham Bus Operator Cleaning Services Supervisor III Derek Yancey Bus Mechanic Signal Systems Supervisor I Tracy Vice Rail Operations Station Office/ Jennifer Jones DART Police Officer Fred Gassaway Out of Service John Durbin Yard Supervisor I Rosalinda Velez Project Manager II Santiago Gaeta Jr. Traction Power Maintainer Bus Mechanic Human Resources Generalist DART Police Officer Rickey Webb Donald Bellard James Yow Jose Maldonado Bus Operator Joseph Grady Bus Operator Leo Easter Traction Power Maintainer Bus Operator Bieno Guzman Senior Business Analyst Hired: 1/28/1985 Maintenance Specialist III 15 Years Bus Operator Erick Whitehead Retired: 7/30/2010 Abraham Mendoza Traction Power Maintainer Stacy Hill Everett Erving 20 Years Luis Acevedo Traction Power Maintainer Randolph Harden Bus Operator Frauke Prevo Transportation Station Office Transportation Station Bus Operator Senior Planning Program Analyst Saulo Aguilar Office Supervisor I Cedric Williams Hired: 12/9/1988 Supervisor I Servicer Reinaldo Orta Bus Operator Chaz Johnson Bus Operator Carmen Hillebrand Bus Operator Retired: 6/23/2010 Lawrence Green Martha Alvarez Advertising & Media Supervisor Gwendolyn Campbell Bus Operator Gregory Williams David Mojica Bus Operator/Instructor Warehouse Supervisor II David Perry Dewitt Jackson Bus Operator William Kennedy Bus Services Supervisor III George Atkinson Transportation Projects Bus Mechanic Bus Mechanic Hired: 8/6/1979 Michael Helgerson Darren Cook Transportation Field Business Manager Hector Williams Jr. Retired: 8/12/2010 Bus Mechanic Bus Services Supervisor I Office Services Associate Alain Labaisse Supervisor I Latonya Sandles Brenda Johnson Track Maintainer Cleveland Jackson Bus Operator Bus Operator Michael Williams In Memoriam Logistics Coordinator Zenith Cooper Hubert Banks Bus Operator Bus Operator Marcus Jones Rail Operator Hazel Ledford Buddie Smith Bus Operator Bus Operator Winfred Grant Gene Lauve Norma De La Garza-Navarro Bus Operator Michael Williams Servicer Senior Technical Support Randy Banks Inventory Control Assistant Charles Lemay Hired: 4/2/1986 Specialist Commuter Rail AVP Bus Operator Barbara Kelley James Stewart DART Police Telecommunicator Bus Operator Richard Deleon Wallace Brackens DART Police Sergeant 5 Years Michael Lee Body Mechanic Eddie Lopez Rail Operations Assistant Bus Operator Vincent Timmons Randell Lynn Rail Operator Field Manager Station Monitor Ola Allen Kingsley Emokpae Kenneth Brumfield Transportation Station Fare Enforcement Officer Bus Operator Office Supervisor I Rob Marshall Reginald Moore Bus Operator Melvin Mack Procurement Senior Manager Bus Operator Bus Operator Richard Aust Angelita Gamez Ana Calvillo Juan Valdez NRV Mechanic Project Manager II Bus Operator Danny McMillan Jesse Reeves Jr. Paratransit Planning & Leonard Manning Bus Operator Bus Operator Scheduling Representative Bus Operator Aaron Bailey David Garcia Kristi Whitemon Material Management Bus Operator Bus Operator/Instructor Teddy Melton Technician Rail Operator

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