Last year, at this same time, DTRs
busses were carrying almost 11 percent
more riders each day.
Ridership is up from the low point last
winter, but it's hardly made a healthy
rebound.
DTRs has embarked on an ambitious
campaign to lure riders back, using
things like various forms of the media,
love letters
to individuals, information
on the bus, advertising
on the on the bus, some
fliers that we would hand out
distribute to people's home.
Though Franklin finds ridership numbers
discouraging, a new trend developing
is encouraging deetz.
Officials admit they expected ridership
to be down, but they are startled about
where ridership is growing.
There was a drop of riders in the inner
city and the only place where
more people are riding the bus now than
they were last year at this time is north
of LBJ, as officials
are pleased to be reaching this commuter
crowd that carries briefcases and buys
the Wall Street Journal at the Park and
Ride Station.
These are business people headed
downtown, like law clerk Belinda
Relink, who first rode the bus a month
ago.
I estimate it saves me about 40 dollars
a month.
And secondly, on the bus, I can read the
newspaper and be informed on national and
local news.
And thirdly, I don't have to worry about
having an accident in my car and central
expressway.
The transit company is looking at a one
point three dollars million fund
shortfall because of its hard luck this
year. And while the new commuters from
the North aren't substantial enough in
number to pull the DTs out of the red,
they indicate a growth trend.
And that's a bright spot in an otherwise
not so bright picture.
Kevyn Burger, Channel 5 Action News, Dallas.