Dougherty Arts Center
Recognizing the Importance of Public Transit
RECEIVED Wed., Feb. 9, 2005
Dear Editor,
I discovered The Austin Chronicle on a recent trip to Austin. As a big fan of public transportation, I was amazed by the article "Here Comes the Train" [News, Jan. 28]. The plan is brilliant ... replace drive-and-park retail with pedestrian retail, create high-density housing surrounding stations, and blend outer stations into the suburban landscape. As a Dallas resident, I am impressed by Austin's plan for two reasons: 1) The plan for TOD is designed to make it necessary rather than just an option, and 2) your community seems to really embrace the change rather than fight it. This is where Austin differs from Dallas and our light rail (DART). Although our train is popular in ridership, it is not a necessary part of our city, but an alternative option. Some of our stations have apartments adjacent, but they are a novelty and not available for sale. And, sadly, our train is met by opposition at every newly proposed plan. The people of DART do a great job of pushing the train through, but it is always a fight.
Congratulations to your city for recognizing the importance of public transportation and embracing the unknown in an effort to improve.
I discovered The Austin Chronicle on a recent trip to Austin. As a big fan of public transportation, I was amazed by the article "Here Comes the Train" [News, Jan. 28]. The plan is brilliant ... replace drive-and-park retail with pedestrian retail, create high-density housing surrounding stations, and blend outer stations into the suburban landscape. As a Dallas resident, I am impressed by Austin's plan for two reasons: 1) The plan for TOD is designed to make it necessary rather than just an option, and 2) your community seems to really embrace the change rather than fight it. This is where Austin differs from Dallas and our light rail (DART). Although our train is popular in ridership, it is not a necessary part of our city, but an alternative option. Some of our stations have apartments adjacent, but they are a novelty and not available for sale. And, sadly, our train is met by opposition at every newly proposed plan. The people of DART do a great job of pushing the train through, but it is always a fight.
Congratulations to your city for recognizing the importance of public transportation and embracing the unknown in an effort to improve.
Janelle Alcantara
Plano
Plano
