Dallas City Councilman Chad West is frustrated that city management did not agree with making pedestrians a priority in response to a recent audit. He says the current approach continues to put walkers at risk in a city that historically has struggled to improve its walkability. Dallas has the fifth-highest pedestrian fatality rate out of the 25 largest U.S. cities.
Under the city's current ordinance, operating a food trailer costs a lot more than a food truck, despite the similar business model. To operate a food truck in Dallas, you just need an annual permit. But if you have a less expensive food trailer, the city requires a permit for each event the trailer does business at. Small business owners say that is making the cost of business too high.