DeSoto Conducting Transportation Study

Written by Ramona Logan

Residents Asked to Weigh in on Public Transportation Needs

DeSoto, TX. - March 1, 2011 - The City of DeSoto has launched a feasibility study to determine its transportation needs for the future. The city is asking its residents to take part in a survey on their thoughts and needs for public transportation.

Currently, DeSoto's 50,000 residents do not have any form of public transportation.  The closest public transportation is a DART Park and Ride lot in Glenn Heights. In Dallas, the closest light rail is at Westmoreland and Illinois or Ledbetter and Lancaster. DART buses come as close as Hampton and Beckleymeade. The feasibility study is the result of a public forum last year where DeSoto residents discussed unmet transportation needs and the feasibility of developing transit services.

Desoto is open to all options that DeSoto residents may come up with from traditional to custom choices to assist commuters, the elderly and youth.

Some of the custom choices that residents can consider include:

1. Car pools-where the city assists in matching riders

2. Van pools- where residents get the use of a van if they will drive other commuters to work

3. Transportation services for the elderly and mobility impaired

4. Small buses to transport commuters to DART stations or other destinations

5. Park and ride lots

The survey team is using different methods to reach as many DeSoto residents as possible. They will be polling residents in public places and at community meetings.

DeSoto residents are encouraged to go on line at www.desototransit.com to weigh in on whether they want public transportation in their city and if so what kind.

Assistant City Manager, Dr. Tarron Richardson, states, "Transportation has become a heavily debated topic and the cornerstone of these conversations revolve around the issues of escalating fuel costs, traffic congestion and environmental conservation. The City of DeSoto is proactively requesting residents to participate in the survey phase of which the results will be utilized to strategically plan for the future needs of our community".

If a majority of the residents surveyed indicate they want public transportation, the city will continue the study to determine which types of transportation best suits the needs of DeSoto residents and the feasibility of providing the service.

If you are a DeSoto resident and would like to take part in the DeSoto Strategic Public Transportation Study you may go online at www.desototransit.com. Copies of the paper surveys are also available in the lobby of City Hall, located at 211 E. Pleasant Run Road, outside the council chambers.

The survey will be conducted through March 13, 2011 by Dikita Enterprises, Inc., in association with Nelson Nygaard Consulting Associates, McDonald Transit and Urban Analytics, Inc. The survey consulting team will file a final report of their findings and recommendations by early summer.