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National Transit Fact-Finding Tour Trip Journal
Day 3, Friday, June 13, 2008
By Shelton Quarles
Our day started at the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) where we learned about the process they went through to get to where they are today. The RTD currently has several very successful light rail lines, and an extensive local bus network, including free shuttle service along the 16th Street pedestrian mall in downtown Denver. The system will be expanding over the next 15 years through the FasTracks program, which is an extensive plan of light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT) lines stretching throughout the entire metropolitan area.
Similar to our area, the Denver region has several jurisdictions. Through the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), they have made regional cooperation a priority and it has proven to be vital in the progress of the transportation system. Although it was not easy in the beginning, an understanding was reached that the best way to accomplish the task was to work together.
With so many different stakeholders throughout the region, it was very important to ensure the entire Denver community would support the plan. To do this, it was decided that the components of the FasTracks program must be implemented as quickly as possible. Each line would be completed in succession, with many being studied and built simultaneously. Additionally, it was imperative that each line was considered its own project, and if problems arose in one corridor, it would not jeopardize any other corridor’s progress or implementation.
We have a lot to learn from Denver, as they have discovered the true sense of working together even when one part of the community would see the benefits of the system before another.
Shelton Quarles
Bill Washington, Deputy General Manager for RTD, talks about the benefits of public private partnerships in transit projects
While waiting for the train, board members talk with RTD representatives about the economic development that has occurred around the light rail lines
Commissioner Ken Hagan and Councilman Jeff Danner pose with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper
Day 2, Thursday, June 12, 2008
By Shelton Quarles
Today we visited Dallas, home of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. We learned a great deal of information and were able to see a very successful transit system in action. Although the system has been around for more than 10 years, it is continuing to grow and plans are in place to nearly double the length of the system in the next 10 years. The success of the system could be seen as soon as we got on – there were so many people riding that even in the middle of the day it was standing room only!
We met with the DART staff and learned about the history of the system, and all the elements of transit that make up DART, including an extensive local bus network that supports the light rail and commuter rail lines.
After learning about DART, we took a ride on the system to two of the suburban cities in the area that have seen a great benefit from having light rail line stations located in their communities. Both have experienced extensive economic development and redevelopment, some even before the stations were built.
The greatest words of wisdom we heard today were “everyone needs to work together to get the system built”, this is especially important in our community as we pull together a region so large with so many different communities.
Victor Burke, Vice President of Operations for DART, gives a background on the system
Shelton Quarles and Commissioner Ken Hagen boarding the train in Richardson, Texas
Board members visited Plano, Texas to see the redevelopment efforts that have occurred around the light rail station
Day 1, Wednesday, June 11, 2008
By Shelton Quarles
Learning the lessons of others is key to doing anything better. Today, I will join other TBARTA members in Dallas to meet with Dallas elected officials, Dallas Area Rapid Transit staff and local business community to talk about how they developed and built their public transportation system. Yesterday, the Board visited with key leaders in Charlotte, NC to talk about their recently opened light rail line and the investments Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has made in developing their local bus system, express bus system, and local land use policies. Tomorrow we will discuss the Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) FasTracks program with locals involved in making that program of transit improvements a reality.
A tour like this really shows the Board what a comprehensive system of transportation improvements can do for a community. We’ll get the opportunity to ride along with and speak to the transit users and hear their thoughts and opinions about the systems and how these transit improvements have impacted their quality of life.
Because I want you to “come along for the ride,” I plan to write about my observations over the next couple days. Today, you’ll be able to find photos of the Board’s visit to Charlotte. Tomorrow I’ll report on our experience in the great city of Dallas, Texas.
Keith Walton, of CATS, talks about how the system was developed
Mayor Iorio is interviewed by the local TV station
TBARTA Board members enjoy a ride on the CATS system while John Muth, Deputy Director of CATS, talks about the economic development that is occurring around the light rail line
If you would like to see the itinerary for the trip, please visit the meetings page.
