DART considers moving bus stops to areas safer for pedestrians

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is reassessing the locations of certain bus stops following a series of reports by NBC 5 Investigates that highlighted areas where the absence of nearby crosswalks or sidewalks poses risks for pedestrians.

DART CEO Nadine Lee stated that her team is currently evaluating more of these problematic locations, including one near Loop 12 and Bonnie View Road in Southern Dallas, where pedestrians have tragically lost their lives.

Video footage captured by NBC 5 Investigates depicted pedestrians navigating through traffic near a DART bus stop on Loop 12, where pedestrians often resort to crossing the street mid-way instead of walking to a distant crosswalk. Records obtained by NBC 5 Investigates revealed that five pedestrians lost their lives on that stretch of Loop 12 in 2023, including Betty Sue Fleming in November.

Arthur Fleming, Betty Sue’s brother, questioned why DART doesn’t relocate bus stops closer to crosswalks to prevent such tragedies.

In response, Lee acknowledged that her team has evaluated these locations to identify potential improvements. She emphasized that they are not only addressing issues on Loop 12 but also on other roads highlighted by NBC 5 Investigates.

One such problematic location is along East Northwest Highway, where a bus stop consists merely of a pole surrounded by grass, with no sidewalks or safe crossing points.

DART is collaborating with city and state authorities to address these challenges, as installing crosswalks on major roads falls under their jurisdiction.

Lee highlighted the need for the transit industry to prioritize pedestrian safety, expressing her surprise upon moving to Dallas from Los Angeles in 2021 and observing bus stops in areas lacking sidewalks or crosswalks.

DART has already consolidated numerous bus stops city-wide, relocating some to safer and more convenient spots. Additionally, they are working with the city and TxDOT to construct new sidewalks and bus stops with shelters on Loop 12.

Looking ahead, Lee affirmed DART’s commitment to enhancing pedestrian access to bus stops, acknowledging the historical neglect of pedestrian safety and emphasizing the need for improvement.

The city of Dallas and TxDOT are also exploring pedestrian safety enhancements on Loop 12 and conducting traffic studies on other roads highlighted in the investigative series.

Texas Senator Royce West plans to convene a meeting to facilitate discussions between the city, state, and DART regarding potential changes.