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The Source for Public Transportation News and Analysis October 18, 2013
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APTA MEMBER PROFILE
Meet Randall Chrisman!

Randall Chrisman
Board Member
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Co-Chair, Authorization Task Force
Member, APTA Transit Board Members, Legislative, Member Services committees

How many people are employed at your agency?
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, better known as DART, employs approximately 3,700 individuals. DART operates around Dallas and 12 surrounding cities with an extensive ­network of light rail, Trinity Railway Express (TRE)—our commuter rail, and bus services that move more than 220,000 passengers a day across our 700-square-mile service area. We provide mobility management, vanpools, and also operate a system of high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes that allow carpoolers to whiz past freeway ­traffic jams. More than 145,000 commuters use these lanes each weekday.

How long have you worked in the public transportation industry?
I became involved in public transportation when I joined the DART Board of ­Directors in 2002.

How long have you been an APTA member?
I joined APTA as soon as I became a board member. DART realizes the value of APTA and automatically supports and encourages all board members to be a part of this wonderful organization.

What drew you to board service in public transportation?
I was asked by my home city of Carrollton, Texas, to fill an open spot on the DART board, and I looked upon this opportunity as a great chance to serve. I joined the board just as DART was completing the doubling of the light rail system to 44 miles and as we were setting plans to double it again with the Green Line and an extension of the Blue Line. On top of that, our region was entering an economic recession, so we knew we would be challenged to meet our commitments. In short order, I had to get up to speed on the planning, design, and financing of one of the world’s largest transportation construction projects while getting my arms around the daily operations of a growing transit agency and learning the many associated acronyms.

What have you found to be the most valuable APTA benefit or resource? Which one helps you do your job?
The most valuable APTA benefit or resource for me has to be the terrific and talented people who work at APTA. They are knowledgeable and always willing to help you to learn and grow. I would also mention that the APTA conferences provide a great setting for learning from other agencies and about best practices throughout the country.

Please explain why or how this has helped.
APTA’s reputation as the industry expert is priceless. Membership in APTA helps me learn from the successes and failures of other board members and transit agencies. It also facilitates long-term relationships with other public transit individuals and agencies and provides meaningful access to FTA, Congress, and the White House. That’s been especially important while serving as one of the co-chairs of the Authorization Task Force. We are looking at a federal funding bill that will likely take us through the end of this decade, so this bill means many different things to many members. I believe my APTA experience has helped me recognize and appreciate those differences and find the common ground we need.

What do you like most about your job?
Besides the great people I work with, the best part of being a board member is setting policy that allows the agency to flourish. If done correctly, it can create a better quality of life now and for future generations. While it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day issues, the key is to look many years ahead and then do everything you can now to achieve those long-term goals. I’ve been privileged to serve during one of DART’s most dynamic phases. The regional demand for transit continues to grow, and while we’ve still got lots to do, we are making tremendous strides to accommodate our current and future riders.

What is unique about your agency--what would readers be surprised to learn?
DART is a multimodal transit system that represents 13 cities in North Texas and is overseen by a 15-member board of directors.

In order to tell what readers might be surprised to learn, I will have to quote Gary Thomas, DART’s president and executive director [and a former APTA chair]: “DART has the longest light rail system in North America. That isn’t bad for an area known for its love of freedom and for pickup trucks!”

Make sure you see Randall Chrisman’s video, now that you've read this!

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