Public comments close at 5 p.m. Thursday on a North Texas transportation plan that identifies gaps in Dallas County transit services, including barriers to medical appointments and work.
About 68% of the 154 Dallas County survey participants who answered a question about whether public transportation meets their needs said it does not, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) found. The draft plan will help guide future transit projects across 16 counties.
Where Dallas County Transit Falls Short
The most common complaint among respondents who said transit fell short was the lack of service to their destinations.
Long travel times and too many transfers also ranked among the leading concerns, the draft shows.
Of 129 online participants who answered a question about preferred improvements, 84 chose expanded service areas, 77 selected increased security, and 71 selected more frequent buses or trains. Respondents could select and rank multiple options.
Most survey participants said they were not missing trips. Among those who were, common destinations included medical appointments, workplaces, and social events.
More Than 66,000 Households Without A Car
Dallas County has an estimated 66,428 households without a vehicle, or 6.8% of all county households, compared with 4.8% across the region, according to 2024 American Community Survey five-year estimates cited in the draft.
The county also has an estimated 309,055 residents age 65 or older and 284,076 people with disabilities. Those populations increased by 13.3% and 16%, respectively, compared with the 2019 five-year estimates.
Local transit options have changed as well. Highland Park launched an on-demand service in May after residents voted to leave Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Irving introduced a van service in June to replace two discontinued DART bus routes, the draft notes.
Security Remains A DART Priority
On Wednesday, The Dallas Express reported that DART approved $47.4 million in fiscal year 2026 for security and cleanliness improvements, including surveillance cameras and additional security funding.
One approach to improving passenger safety would place a Level IV-trained personal protection officer aboard every DART bus and train, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Despite DART’s increased security funding, its newly released annual report does not identify a funded plan to achieve that level of coverage, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The regional plan also calls for improved safety, security, and sanitation to strengthen passenger confidence, according to an October NCTCOG presentation.
Public Comment Deadline Thursday
Residents can submit feedback until 5 p.m. Thursday, November 12, by emailing accessnorthtexas@nctcog.org. County chapters and proposed regional strategies are available online.
The plan also fulfills a federal requirement for coordinated transit planning, including projects supported by the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program, NCTCOG explained.
The Regional Transportation Council is scheduled to consider the plan December 10, according to the published schedule.
Provided by Dallas Express
