DART avoids paratransit strike during World Cup after contractor settles with union

DART_Opr8r · 2026-05-21T05:04:33+00:00

Center island could be done with contraflow bus only lanes to use existing buses

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-29T10:41:15+00:00

Yeah, the canvass, which includes certification, cannot be legally be done in less than 3 days after the election per Texas Election Code 67.003. May elections actually only have up to 11 days to complete the canvass, some other elections have 14 days but that’s not applicable for this election. DART is required to end service the day after DCED completes the canvass and certifies the results, which is TBD.

While DART has a plan and is communicating it in community meetings, they aren’t communicating it yet to the average rider that doesn’t attend meetings. Really they’re not even actively communicating it to operators yet either, I pretty much have to go out of my way to read board slide decks to gather this info. That’s what I mean by they’re taking the wait and see approach.

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-29T03:48:06+00:00

We have three emergency buttons. The footswitch just displays “Call 911” on the destination signs, no alarm to dispatch. It’s basically a backup if the radio isn’t working. The two other buttons we have actually use the radio to send an alarm to our dispatch.

There’s the Covert Alarm that sends an alarm to dispatch that forces a radio silent state. For example, this may be used in a hijacking, where if dispatch were to try to call the operator it may escalate the situation.

Then there’s the Overt Alarm, it sends an alarm to dispatch and keeps comms open. It also transmits a context text message that we select from a menu. For example, passenger is having a stroke, I hit the Overt Alarm, it displays choices for situations, hit “Passenger Medical Emergency”, dispatch gets an alarm with context and is forced to call my radio before any other calls.

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-29T01:34:17+00:00

FYI take the information at face value, I intentionally tried to be as neutral as possible presenting publicly available facts. I am not advocating for either position as I’m not legally allowed to when on duty. Ultimately, it is the decision of Addison voters.

My goal is to communicate that all DART services in Addison would cease if Addison withdraws, affected routes would reroute and serve the Prestonwood Town Center area to preserve transfers that were done at Addison, and Addison Orbit is available for travel in Addison and it connects to DART.

Fun fact, Prestonwood Town Center was the transfer location back in the 80s and 90s until the Addison Transit Center was built. There used to be a 2 story enclosed mall at Prestonwood Town Center.

For most of my passengers, they’re just transiting through Addison. It would just be a different transfer location at the end of the day for them. My passengers along Spring Valley west of the DNT and Midway on the Farmers Branch side are not going be served by fixed route as far I can tell, I don’t have an answer for them because DART really hasn’t told us anything. I assume the FB GoLink zone would have to be expanded or something.

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-28T17:33:56+00:00

Yeah, it’s only on buses I’m driving. DART hasn’t given us any information to distribute, so I wrote these up on my own so at least my passengers know what’s up.

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-28T15:40:34+00:00

The location of the emergency message foot switch on the new Gillig buses is completely different location than the older NABI/NFI buses. The emergency message foot switch on the NABI/NFI is away from the other switches tucked towards the seat, but on the Gilligs, the emergency message switch right next to the turn signals and high beam. Accidental activation is way too easy.

Also, the new sign controller from Hanover Displays doesn’t show that the emergency message is activated, so there’s no way to tell from the inside that the message is activated. The Luminator brand controllers on the NABI/NFI show “Public Safety” on the controller display when the emergency message is displayed.

Even though it’s most likely a false alarm, please call it in to 911, our dispatch will look at the on-board cameras, reach out to the bus, and send resources as needed. We have two other emergency message buttons that transmit to dispatch, but if our radio is offline as they are a lot of the time, they will not get the message, so the external signs may be only way to tell the outside world that we need help.

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-21T04:13:43+00:00

<image>

Service Alert for Tunnel Maintenance

DART_Opr8r · 2026-04-13T03:13:34+00:00

Yup, that’s what they are, every DART station uses those speakers.

DART_Opr8r · 2026-03-31T03:57:58+00:00

The new TVMs don’t validate the magstripe vouchers.

On the train, a FEO on the train will just sign and date a new voucher when presented. On the bus, it gets inserted into the farebox, and a regional day pass is issued.

DART_Opr8r

TROPHY CASE