Dallas Area Rapid Transit to change fares and add new buses and trains

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is introducing a simplified fare structure starting March 1. According to a release, the updated structure is intended to offer more clarity and convenience.

“Our goal is to make fares more straightforward and equitable for all passengers,” says DART Assistant VP of Service Planning and Development Jing Xu.

Fare changes to DART local fare will be as follows:

• Consolidated Passes: Single-ride (used on bus and GoLink), AM, PM, and Midday Passes, will be replaced with a standard 3-Hour Pass.
• Day Pass and Monthly Pass: The Day Pass price remains the same, while the Monthly Pass will increase.
• Retail Annual Pass: This option is being discontinued; however, members enrolled in the DART Corporate Annual Pass program will see no change in their rates.
• Veterans Discount: Starting on March 1, Veterans will receive a 50% discount. They can apply for a DART-issued reduced fare card (GoPass® Tap) online or in person at DARTmart, located at Akard Station, to receive discounted fare.
• Discount Program: The half-price Discount GoPass Tap card program, for those receiving benefits from qualifying agencies, is now permanent.
• Bulk Sales Discount: A new tiered discount system is available for special events, corporate pass partners, and educational institutions.
• Extended Education Institution Program: The educational institution program now includes kindergarten through fifth grade.

Most of these adjustments will begin March 1, but revisions tied to calendar year programs - such as corporate annual pass program and education institution program - took effect on January 1.

DART Transforms modernization program
DART Transforms is a new program to modernize DART's system, focusing on five elements: vehicles, stations & passenger facilities, resiliency, a unified signaling system, and operating facilities.

“Many of our vehicles and facilities have reached their usage capacity, so it’s time to invest in our aging system to ensure our customers have a cleaner, safer, more reliable experience when they are commuting with us,” says DART CEO & President Nadine Lee.

Changes that riders will see include:

• New buses and trains with upgraded lighting, system messaging, and convenience features
• Raised platforms at 23 stations to provide level boarding and improve access for those with limited mobility or who are travelling with children
• Renovations at the Cityplace/Uptown station
• Additional resiliency measures to guard the rail system against extreme weather events, and Improvements at stations and passenger and operations facilities

Over the last year, DART has installed 34,000 new vinyl seats on buses and trains, hired more security and fare enforcement officers, implemented an on-board cleaning team, and improved lighting around stations.

New buses and trains
DART has secured a contract to purchase new buses to begin replacing the oldest ones in its fleet and anticipates having them in operation by spring 2026. The process to replace light-rail vehicles (LRVs) will take longer as DART is still in the planning and development phase. Once a final design is approved and manufacturing begins, riders can expect to see the new LRVs in operation by 2029.

Later this year, DART will begin asking customers about their journey to identify pain points accessing their transit ride, while at the agency’s facilities, and on their commute. This will allow DART to better understand the customer journey and take action or partner with the corresponding city to make improvements throughout the DART Transform program. The team will also reach out to non-riders to gauge how they too can become DART customers.