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The Dallas Morning News reported yesterday that Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will need to slash is budget by millions and lay off 300 to 600 employees.  Agency revenues, which are heavily dependent on sales tax receipts, are falling far short of the cost of providing bus and light rail service in the DART service area.  Interestingly, all of the cuts, at least initially, will fall on the light rail system.  The bus system, which carries approximately 60,000 passengers per day, compared to approximately 30,000 carried by the light rail system, will not be trimmed.  In addition, the agency will attempt to get TXDOT to take over the operation of the HOV lanes.  Finally, plans to expand the light rail system beyond the 2013 boundaries are being placed on hold. The cuts are falling on the light rail system because of its disproportionately high costs.  In other words, it contains the low hanging fruit or waste.  In additional, because of the high capital investment required by light rail, canceling the post 2013 expansion plans will result in significant savings. DART pointed out that whilst the intervals between light rail trains will be extended, meaning fewer trains per period, the use of larger trains with greater capacity should aleviate any additional standing or discomfort on the trains.  DART's plans include the use of rapid bus technology along Preston Road, as well as several other routes, were light rail is not practicable.  Given the cost advantage of rapid bus technology, it will be interesting to see if it substitutes rapid bus technology for some of the planned light rail extensions.
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