Got some digital pub on dallasnews.com for winning the DART contest.
The reporter on his blog refers to the economy as a reason why ridership is down-slash-flat, which --at first-- seemed odd to me...but I get it.
Ya'd think that in a down economy ridership would go UP since public transportation is a way to save money...however, fewer jobs means fewer employees which means fewer commuters...and it's not like unemployeed people are literally driving around looking for work.
Another factor..downtown office buildings are empty...lots of high rises are barren and there's no development going on...so ridership into the central business district is down...
Now...on the flip side...downtown residential space is growing since lots of those empty office buildings are being converted/renovated...but
price points are premium...that's a whole other topic...grrrr!!!!
With more young people moving downtown into the CBD and all those urban styled lofts and nyc-priced condos...ya'd expect to see a tick in ridership OUT of the city and INTO the burbs with all the suburban office parks ...that's where there's a big ol' disconnect...a majority of these suburban office parks are off the beaten path and not connected to the rail system and stations...shuttles to and fro are a reasonable solution to connect DART to these office parks (i'm talking to YOU Addison!)...but riders are turned off by the idea about "transfering"...Here's where you see an example of people hanging on to "cultural memories" that prevents them from embracing change (that's a whole 'nother topic too!)
No clue where I'm going here...so I'll just hafta solve this crisis later...i gotta go walk my dog Kitty...but, this thought just crossed my mind...
Downtown Dallas needs a Bohemian shot in the arm...timing's prime with all the emptiness for the creative class to come in and take over and get some organic development started...they're nearly finished with their Oak Cliff/Bishop Street invasion and it doesn't seem like they're able to commit to Deep Ellum (which I don't blame them because there's just this odd feeling that The Man is lurking somewhere waiting to go all corporate down there at any moment...)
but there just doesn't seem to be authentic creatives occupying downtown space since attitudes about premium pricing is pretty accepting...people are paying for overpriced places because it seems to be the thing to do...the few 20-somethings moving into downtown with their parents' money --- are enablers...
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