DART Service Cuts Public Hearing July 8
It’s time to speak to the DART board opposing the proposed changes
The public hearing is coming up fast
The time is almost here. On Tuesday, July 8, at 6:00 PM, the DART board will hold a public hearing at DART HQ on the proposed service changes in response to the GMP. We have had excellent turnout at the public meetings so far. Great work, everyone! Now it’s time for the grand finale. Need a refresher on the changes? Check DART’s official page.
The meetings so far have been for us to address staff. While some board members have been in attendance (and thank you to them for being there!), the main purpose of those meetings was for staff to gather feedback to bring to the board and to shape their recommendations. The public hearing is for us to address the board directly. This is our chance to tell the board how bad the changes are and how negatively they will impact the ridership!
The meeting starts at 6, but I recommend getting there by about 5:30 to get signed in, go through security, and settle in. If you wish to speak, you need to fill out a public hearing comment card. There will be two different kinds of comment cards: one for generally addressing the board, and one for the public hearing. Be sure to fill out a public hearing comment card (which we expect will be blue). If you get there and aren’t sure what to do, look for a friendly neighborhood DATA member. They’ll be happy to help!
Speaking at a public hearing
First time speaking at a public hearing? Welcome! We’re happy to have you! Here’s what you can expect:
The public hearing will be a specific item number on the agenda. The agenda isn’t posted yet, but when it is, we’ll know what number that is. Once the public hearing starts, the chair will call people to come up to the podium to speak, usually two or three folks at a time.
Edit: The public hearing is item number 18 on the agenda. Even though that sounds like a lot, we will probably get to it quickly. Of the first 17 items, most either won’t be spoken about at the board meeting at all or will go very fast. The only item that may take a while is general public comments. Be aware, sometimes for items like this, they will go out of order or combine public comments and the public hearing. Be prepared to go up when called!
Every person will be given just two minutes to speak, and this is strictly enforced. (Normally, it’s three minutes, but they’ve shortened it for this meeting given the number of speakers they expect.) Come prepared to say your piece quickly! The pro move is getting in and out as fast as possible and yielding back time. Everyone else will thank you.
I strongly advise against getting clever here or trying to tell a whole story. You should have your point made within the first two or three sentences. A perfectly fine public comment is “Good evening. I’m a rider from Plano and commute downtown on Red every day. I’m against the cuts because they will make the trains for my commute more crowded. Thank you.” Within a few sentences, you’ve established that you have a stake and how you’ll be harmed by this. 0 after that if you’d like, but have your point stated right away.
It’s probably going to be a long night. Grab a bite to eat first and make sure your phone is charged.
Can’t speak at the public hearing?
I assure you, there’s nothing to be nervous about! If you’re just not ready, though, I understand. If you don’t want to speak or can’t make it to the meeting, you can send in a written comment as well! Email your comments to DART_Townhall@dart.org. Even if you are planning to speak, emailing your comments too is extra credit.
So what happens next?
After this, staff will make formal recommendations to the board on which service and fare changes to make. The next board meeting is August 26. At that meeting, the board is expected to make a final decision on what changes will be made. Any service changes will be effective in January, and any fare changes will be effective in March.