DART HISTORY
| 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
| 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 |
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
1983
August 13, 1983
DART is created when 58 percent of voters in 14 cities and Dallas County cast 175,000 ballots in favor of regional transportation.
Late 1983
Cockrell Hill joins DART. The member cities appoint 25 governing board members.
1984
DART assumes operations of Dallas Transit System and cuts the base bus fare from 70 to 50 cents, and senior fares from 25 to 15 cents.
January 1984
The voter-approved one-cent sales tax takes effect and DART officially begins operations. Staff begins work on bus service improvements, rail transit, high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane, carpooling, and mobility-impaired transit planning.
Spring 1984
DART introduces the first phase of suburban bus service through a contract with Trailways Commuter Transit, now ATE -- a privatization project that garners national attention.
June 1984
DART begins operating mid-day service, adding 57 buses on 37 area routes. Crosstown service is initiated between Irving and Garland.
September 1984
DART begins new non-stop express bus service between downtown Dallas and suburban member cities including Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Glenn Heights, Richardson, Plano and Rowlett.
DART doubles the number of arrivals and departures on existing express bus service between Irving and Garland.
The DART Board selects light rail as the preferred mode for a planned 147-mile network. Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas is named DART's general engineering consultant.
Late 1984
DART adds 74 buses on 54 routes, expands rush hour service on 33 routes and introduces more crosstown service. DART adds suburban express service between South Irving and downtown Dallas. Urban local bus operations are strengthened with completion of the $2 million bus maintenance facility on East Grand Avenue.
1985
The City of Buckingham joins DART.
The bus network expansion continues as ridership more than doubles during the first six months, prompting DART to add nine additional express coaches to its fleet.
A major staff financial review reveals that revenue resources through 2010 will not be sufficient to build 147 miles of rail.
January 1985
Carrollton and Farmers Branch citizens overwhelmingly vote to continue membership in DART with 69 and 61 percent margins, respectively.
September 1985
Suburban cities receive connecting bus service with the first phase of the suburban local bus network. New routes are added in Addison, Buckingham, Carrollton, northern Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Irving, Plano and Richardson.
1986
January 1986
DART takes direct responsibility for the City of Dallas HandiRides program for mobility impaired citizens. In four months, DART expands the service into all member cities.
April 1986
DART initiates the second phase of the suburban local bus network with input from over 50 community meetings, making it one of the fastest bus network startups in transit history.
August 1986
The Board revises the DART Service Plan to provide 93 miles of light rail transit including seven miles of subways.
Bus ridership peaks with an average of 199,000 weekday riders.
Late 1986
DART acquires 9.8 acres of land for the West Plano Transit Center and 10.7 acres for the North Carrollton Transit Center. DART acquires 2.3 acres from Railtran for the new South Irving Transit Center.
1987
The drop in gasoline prices, rise in unemployment, and the resulting ridership patterns encourage DART to begin a bus system redesign process to bring service in line with demand and create a cost-efficient bus network. The service plan calls for a new fare policy to lessen DART's reliance on sales tax revenue to cover operating costs.
Staff begins development of a 20-year Transit System Plan with light rail, commuter rail and HOV lanes included.
DART begins formal acquisition of Dallas Transit System.
DART expands suburban bus service.
The DART Board chooses the rail car size and the initial rail section phasing.
January 1987
The DART financial staff concludes that the 93-mile light rail transit network can be built within the schedule but only through use of long-term bonds.
April 1987
The Board approves a bond election to be held in 1988. HandiRides van service for mobility-impaired customers is expanded to all DART cities.
October 1987
DART acquires an additional 1.2 acres of land for expansion of the South Irving Transit Center.
1988
February 1988
DART formally acquires Dallas Transit System and its operations from the City of Dallas.
April 1988
DART purchases 34.5 miles of railroad right-of-way (ROW) from the Southern Pacific Transportation Company -- 28 miles of ROW for transit use and 6.5 miles for a future linear park.
May 1988
DART begins construction and placement of 280 high-boarding area bus shelters. Over 600 benches are installed through 1993.
June 1988
Bus ridership hits 150,000 passenger trips per weekday.
DART acquires 8.2 acres of land for the Red Bird Transit Center.
By a 58 to 42 percent margin, citizens turn down a proposition to allow DART to issue long-term bonds for capital projects, including rail.
August 1988
The DART Board gives staff direction to prepare a new Transit System Plan by April 1989.
October 1988
DART begins operations from the new North Carrollton and South Irving transit centers, acquires 14.9 acres for the Richardson Transit Center and donates .4 acres to the City of Richardson for road improvements.
1989
More than 100 community meetings are conducted to provide citizen input into the development of the new Transit System Plan.
January 1989
DARTAbout suburban mobility van service is introduced with 12 passenger, lift-equipped vans in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Richardson, Plano, Buckingham, Garland, Rowlett and Irving. A jitney service is implemented on some suburban routes to give passengers more accessibility to activity centers.
The West Plano Transit Center opens for operations.
June 1989
The DART Board approves the new DART Transit System Plan, moving the agency from the planning modes to major construction. The Board also approves the local and technical assistance programs for member city regional transportation support.
May 6, 1989
Flower Mound votes to withdraw from DART by a 67 to 33 percent margin.
July 1989
The Town of Buckingham cancels its withdrawal election.
August 1989
Voters in Carrollton, Irving, Plano and Rowlett vote to remain in DART. Coppell votes to withdraw by a 20-vote margin.
September 1989
The DART Board approves the creation of an armed transit police force to make random bus checks, monitor crowded bus stops and respond to emergency calls.
November 1989
Farmers Branch and Garland voters overwhelmingly elect to remain in DART.
The Red Bird Transit Center opens for operations.
DART completes a formal agreement with Union Pacific Railroad to acquire almost 80 percent of the total operating rights/rights of way needed for planned rail operations. The agreement includes 31.5 miles of ROW and the operating rights between Dallas and Fort Worth along the Railtran corridor.
1990
Addison cancels its withdrawal election from DART.
The Richardson Transit Center opens for operations.
DART trades its complex zone-based fare structure for fares based on service type. This action made local fares 75 cents, and express and DARTAbout service $1.75. Fares for students and mobility-impaired customers are reduced from 35 to 25 cents, and senior fares remain at 25 cents.
April 1990
The DART Division of Transit Public Safety becomes operational with 25 veteran peace officers.
October 1990
DART begins light rail transit construction with San Jacinto Street relocation.
December 7, 1990
DART breaks ground for the I-30 Interim HOV lane.
Late 1990
DART releases the Five-Year Operating Plan that shifts bus service centered from downtown Dallas to a grid network which will feed planned rail stations. More crosstown routes are initiated to reflect the new operations plan.
1991
January 1991
DART acquires 54 miles of railroad ROW from St. Louis Southwestern Railway Co. for transit use after the year 2010.
October 1991
DART opens the I-30 HOV lane for operations.
DART begins an intensive Value Analysis process prompted by staff projections of cash shortfalls over the next 10 years. The three-month internal review results in the removal of 28 projects from DART's Five-Year Financial Plan. Operating and administrative costs are reduced based on results that cut $300 million from DART's five-year budget forecast.
1992
January 1992
The DART Board approves the Five-Year Financial Plan with provisions limiting project costs.
February 1992
DART begins major construction with the Trinity River rail bridge and the North Central subway tunnels.
April 1992
The East Plano Transit Center opens for operations.
July 1992
DART enters a three-phased cost-containment plan with the elimination of the Planning and Administration departments.
August 1992
DART announces the elimination of 60 administrative positions and a $12-15 million reduction in consultant fees. The 1993 Fiscal Year (FY) budget mirrors cost-savings efforts and includes no employee merit pay raises.
October 1992
DART begins study of rail transit alternatives along North Central Expressway north of Park Lane.
Ground is broken for the South Garland Transit Center.
November 1992
DART begins construction on the West Oak Cliff rail line.
December 1992
A series of community meetings leads to 38 bus service changes, eliminating $2 million in unproductive bus service miles. DART begins construction on the light rail vehicle Service and Inspection Facility at the former Santa Fe rail yard southeast of downtown Dallas.
1993
January 1993
DART begins utility relocation work for the 1.1-mile transitway mall in the Dallas Central Business District.
May 1993
The Garland Central and North Irving transit centers open for operations, and ground is broken for the Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center.
September 1993
DART receives $82.6 million in federal funding for the South Oak Cliff light rail project.
December 1993
DART adds evening holiday service to area malls.
1994
January 1994
DART's construction crews complete mining for final tunnel breakthrough on the second of two 3.5-mile light rail subway tunnels under North Central Expressway.
January 1994
An approved Railtran Interlocal Cooperative Agreement moves the agency closer to delivering commuter rail service between Dallas and Fort Worth.
March 1994
DART's Board of Directors retains its 30 percent contract participation goals for the Minority Business Enterprise program for Fiscal Year 1994.
DART's Board of Directors approves a Financial Plan amendment for a $6 million funding package for the three-mile South Oak Cliff light rail project. The amendment approves $2 million to add two median crossings on Lancaster Road requested by the community and the Dallas City Council.
April 1994
DART reduces its regular fare to just 25 cents on Ozone Action days, 15 cents for senior citizens.
DART introduces advertisers to "wrapped buses." The technique -- in which the entire exterior of a bus becomes a rolling billboard -- has the potential to increase advertising revenues by $1 million.
DART's Board approves a new transit security plan authorizing 19 additional transit police officers.
June 1994
DART's executive team begins briefing member cities on the agency's options for build out and financing of the DART Transit System Plan.
July 1994
DART celebrates the opening of the Illinois Transit Center -- the first bus and rail passenger facility -- with three customer/community events.
August 1994
DART's Board of Directors approves a $33.6 million construction contract to build a 2.9-mile light rail line through South Oak Cliff. DART holds public hearings to hear community rail concerns and present a neighborhood job program.
November 1994
Trailways Commuter Transit replaces Crawford Technical Services as van provider for DART Paratransit Services.
1995
January 1995
DART implements its first fare increase in more than a decade. Despite the change, total passenger boardings (including charter) total 45.5 million in Fiscal Year 1995 -- only slightly lower than the previous year -- and passenger revenue increases by 9 percent to $25.9 million.
Thirty additional Transit Police officers are added, along with 22 new squad cars and two bicycles to initiate the force's first bike patrol. Station agents are hired to staff transit centers, assisting passengers with service information and providing full-time security surveillance. The Hampton Transit Center becomes the second bus transfer facility to be opened at the site of a future light rail station.
May 1995
The first of 40 light rail vehicles arrives for testing at the Service & Inspection Facility.
June 1995
New Transportation Demand Management representatives are hired, making it possible for DART to reach nearly 500 companies in the three-county non-attainment area -- Denton, Collin and Dallas counties -- organizing carpools, vanpools and even innovative telecommuting programs.
Summer 1995
Ground is broken for new HOV lanes along I-35E and LBJ Freeway (635) in July and August, respectively.
August 1995
A fleet of 110, 24-foot vans is purchased for DART's paratransit service.
October 1995
More than 300,000 State Fair visitors take the public's first official look at a DART light rail vehicle.
November 1995
After nearly two years of community negotiations among 14 member cities, the DART Board votes to revise its Transit System Plan. Reflecting the North Central Texas Council of Governments' Mobility 2010 Plan, the new plan includes: 53 miles of light rail transit; 98 miles of HOV lanes; 37 miles of commuter rail transit linking Dallas and Fort Worth with extensions to D/FW International Airport and the I-35E corridor; ridesharing, telecommuting and other trip reduction support programs; and redeployment of existing buses with initiation of rail services, and use of smaller transit buses.
» View the 1995 Transit System Plan Map
1996
January 1996
Garland citizens vote overwhelmingly (2 to 1) to retain membership in DART.
Through a contract with Gray Line, the Vanpool Incentive Program (VIP) is introduced, offering passenger rates structured to save the average commuter more than $200 per month; simultaneously, a Central Business District Transportation Management Association is formed to design customized commuting programs for businesses.
April 1996
The Town of Buckingham is annexed by Richardson, reducing the number of DART Member Cities to 13.
June 1996
Dedication ceremonies are held at South Irving Transit Center initiating construction of the passenger station to serve commuter rail customers in December.
June 14, 1996
The first 11.2 miles of DART's 20-mile light rail transit starter system open on time and within budget, with weekend festivities followed by a week of free rides. Revenue service begins June 24, coinciding with the opening of the CBD West Bus Transfer Center in downtown Dallas.
July 1996
Initial light rail ridership exceeds all expectations, averaging more than 18,000 daily passengers as opposed to the projected 15,000.
August 1996
Withdrawal elections are planned in the cities of Carrollton, Irving, Plano and Rowlett for August 10. The citizens in all four cities vote to remain in DART with 77, 57, 77 and 67 percent, respectively, voting "Yes."
September 1996
DART opens new HOV lanes on I-35E, Stemmons Freeway, north of LBJ Freeway.
December 1996
DART opens the first 10-mile segment of the new Trinity Railway Express commuter rail service linking Dallas and Irving with a stop at the Medical/Market Center. Service will be extended to Fort Worth.
1997
January 1997
DART extends the light rail system six miles northward along North Central Expressway (US Highway 75) between downtown Dallas and Park Lane. The new line includes a 3.5-mile subway from downtown to the new Mockingbird Station, making it possible for commuters to make the trip between Park Lane and downtown in just 14 minutes. The opening of the new line nearly doubles ridership on the new light rail system to approximately 30,000 passengers per day. The start of expanded rail service coincides with the opening of the CBD East Bus Transfer Center - the second of two such facilities in downtown Dallas.
March 1997
DART opens new HOV lanes on 635 -- the state's most congested thoroughfare. The new eastbound lane stretches from Stemmons Freeway to just west of US Highway 75. The westbound lane begins just west of Hillcrest Road, and then merges with southbound Stemmons Freeway traffic. The lanes are expected to save commuters about six minutes in the morning rush hours and 13 minutes during the evening rush hours.
March 1997
The DART Board of Directors approves the multi-year purchase of 433 new buses, including 110 which will operate on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The first 103 buses, 50 of which will be LNG-powered, are scheduled for delivery in spring 1998. All of the new 40-foot buses will be equipped with wheelchair lifts for disabled customers and new on-board security camera systems.
May 31, 1997
DART completes the 20-mile light rail starter system with the opening of the three-mile long extension of its Blue Line through the South Oak Cliff section of Dallas. This section of track runs south from the Illinois Station in the center of Lancaster Road to the new Ledbetter Station with an intermediate stop at the VA Medical Center Station.
July 2, 1997
DART acquires 5.25 miles of railroad right-of-way and land for a light rail extension from Garland to Rowlett. The project calls for a site to be used as a park and ride transit center with 355 parking spaces beginning in 2000. The center will become a rail station with parking for approximately 700 vehicles when light rail arrives in Rowlett.
July 10, 1997
DART and NorthPark Center begin a six-month trial of the NorthPark Center Executive Shuttle -- a free shuttle bus service between the internationally-recognized north Dallas shopping mall and DART's Park Lane Station.
September 1997
DART is named Transit Agency of the Year by the American Public Transit Association, the highest honor in the industry.
October 1997
The U.S. Department of Transportation awards DART $13.7 million for the light rail extension from Park Lane in north Dallas to Plano.
October 14, 1997
The DART Board orders 34 additional light rail vehicles (LRVs) from Kinkisharyo, USA, manufacturers of DART's original 40 LRVs. The value of the contract is $93.43 million. The LRVs are scheduled to begin service in June 1999.
November 1997
DART Paratransit Services launches Paracom I, a state-of-the-art customer communications system. The system is designed to enhance the efficiency of DART's paratransit fleet.
DART reports serving nearly 70 million passengers during Fiscal Year 1997 -- a 44 percent increase over the 48.5 million passengers served in Fiscal Year 1996. In Fiscal Year 1997, DART buses and paratransit vans carried more than 44.5 million, nearly 8.2 million passengers rode DART light rail or commuter rail and nearly 17.2 million used DART's three HOV lanes.
December 9, 1997
The DART Board votes to accelerate light rail construction to the member cities of Garland, Richardson and Plano and to double-track the rail line where single-track lines were initially planned. Where possible, service will be phased-in along those rail extensions as construction is completed.
The DART Board also restructures the March 1997 bus order from NOVA Bus to purchase more total buses and more buses powered by LNG. The new bus plan includes the purchase of 20 trolley buses manufactured by Chance Coach. The trolley buses will be primarily used on circulator routes. The purchase price for the 20 trolley buses is $6.2 million.
December 15, 1997
Trinity Railway Express commuter rail extends its schedule to full day and evening service on weekdays.
1998
February 19, 1998
Construction begins on new HOV lanes running between I-20 and downtown Dallas. The 11.1-mile lanes will run along US 67 Marvin D. Love Freeway and I-35E, south of downtown Dallas. They are scheduled to open in late 1999.
March 30, 1998
DART carries out the agency's largest-ever service change. All routes in DART's 700-square mile service area are changed to a number-only system and new signage is put in place at each of DART's more than 11,000 bus stop signs. The route numbering system is overhauled to make it more consistent and easier for current and potential customers to use. The package includes new express service to employment centers at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport from downtown Dallas as part of a regional welfare-to-work initiative.
April 28, 1998
The DART Board votes to purchase 21 additional LRVs from Kinkisharyo, USA. The new purchase is in addition to the 34 LRVs ordered in October 1997. This order brings the fleet to 95. The contract price for the 21 vehicles is $60.21 million.
Summer 1998
DART introduces the first of a fleet of 488 new state-of-the-art buses built by Nova BUS of Roswell, New Mexico.
August 3, 1998
DART introduces its fleet of Trolley-Buses built by Chance Coach. The initial routes serve downtown Dallas, Lancaster Road in south Dallas, Richardson's Telecom Corridor, Las Colinas and the NorthPark Shopping Center.
September 1998
More than 1 million passenger trips are made on DART's light rail system during the month of September. Average weekday ridership exceeds 40,000.
October 1, 1998
DART marks the close of Fiscal Year 1998 with a ridership gain of nearly 16 million passenger trips over Fiscal Year 1997. More than 85 million passenger trips are made during the year on DART's network of buses, light rail, commuter rail and HOV lanes.
December 5, 1998
The Trinity Railway Express adds Saturday service. Nearly 3,000 customers ride the first day.
1999
January 7, 1999
DART begins light rail construction in Garland.
February 22, 1999
The Center for Economic Development and Research at the University of North Texas estimates DART is providing a hefty boost to the North Texas economy, with a total regional impact assessed at $3.7 billion and more than 32,000 jobs through 2003.
June 7, 1999
DART opens the Addison Transit Center, Addison's first permanent DART facility, on Arapaho Road between Quorum Drive and Addison Road in the heart of the developing Addison Urban Center.
DART begins testing a limited-area home pickup and delivery service that will respond to customers who call the driver's cell phone. DART On-Call uses vans to ferry customers to and from the East Plano Transit Center during peak times, and to shopping and school destinations in the middle of the day.
July 1999
DART opens a new Paratransit Assessment Center to assist paratransit customers undergoing federally-mandated eligibility reviews. All light rail and commuter rail cars are wheelchair accessible, and more than half of the 800 buses are accessible. By 2002, all DART transit vehicles are projected to be accessible.
Fall 1999
Southern Methodist University, in conjunction with DART, begins providing transportation at no cost to students, faculty and staff throughout the DART system.
September 19, 1999
DART Transit Police celebrates 10 years of service. The force has grown to 143 sworn Texas peace officers and eight administrative personnel. Much of the growth is connected to the 1996 opening of DART's 20-mile light rail starter system.
September 27, 1999
DART expands service on the Blue Line between downtown Dallas and Mockingbird Station. Over the next several months, DART will add 55 light rail cars, doubling the current fleet to provide service to White Rock Station in fall 2001, Richardson by summer 2002, Garland by fall 2002 and Plano by summer 2003.
September 28, 1999
DART's Board of Directors approves a $831.2 million budget for Fiscal Year 2000 as part of a five-year business plan to expand service throughout the region.
October 2, 1999
The Federal Transit Administration enters into a $333 million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with DART, ensuring the North Central Light Rail expansion to Richardson and Plano will proceed on schedule. The FFGA is the first executed under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21).
December 1999
For the third year in a row, DART's total ridership grows, with Fiscal Year 1999 passenger trips reaching 91.2 million -- a 6.5 percent gain.
2000
January 15, 2000
DART receives Garland's Community Appreciation Award. The award is presented by the Garland Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People during their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.
February 4, 2000
DART joins Garland officials and the Garland Chamber of Commerce to host a special conference on transit-oriented development opportunities around Garland-area rail stations opening in 2002. The stations will be located near the intersection of Forest Lane and Jupiter Road, and at DART's Garland Central Transit Center in downtown.
February, 2000
DART completes the Northwest Corridor Major Investment Study (MIS) by selecting the rail routes for light rail service to Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Irving, and eventually Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. This action increases the amount of light rail to be built under the Transit System Plan to 93 miles.
April 2000
DART opens its newest bus maintenance center, the South Oak Cliff Bus Operating Facility (SOCBOF), as part of DART's 5-year bus improvement program. SOCBOF replaces the Oak Cliff bus facility.
April 26, 2000
DART, the City of Dallas, the Central Dallas Association, and the Downtown Improvement District combine resources to open the Pearl Street Connector, a landscaped walkway linking the Pearl Station to the East Transfer Center. A Federal Transit Authority Livable Communities grant of $457,000 provides 80 percent of the funding.
May, 2000
DART completes the Southeast Corridor Major Investment Study (MIS) by finalizing the rail routes for light rail service to Fair Park and Pleasant Grove.
May 22, 2000
DART opens the Rowlett Park & Ride, adding more bus service to Rowlett and bringing the DART On-Call service to town. The park and ride center is on the site of a future Rowlett light rail station.
June 5, 2000
The first 2.5 miles of the 11-mile High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-35E/US 67 open.
June 12, 2000
The DART Board of Directors schedules an August 12, 2000, election to allow voters to decide whether the agency should use long-term financing to upgrade and accelerate future light rail lines to Carrollton, Farmers Branch, North Irving, South Dallas, Fair Park, Pleasant Grove and Rowlett.
August 1, 2000
DART opens the Cockrell Hill Passenger Transfer Location. This new facility is air-conditioned, and has restrooms, telephones, information kiosks, vending machines and a station agent on duty.
August 10, 2000
DART opens the Bernal/Singleton Passenger Transfer Location. This new facility is air-conditioned, and has restrooms, telephones, information kiosks, vending machines and a station agent on duty.
August 12, 2000
Voters in DART's 13 member cities approve $2.9 billion in long-term financing to upgrade and accelerate future light rail lines. More than 77 percent of the 33,603 voters casting ballots in the August 12, 2000, election support the proposition.
August 28, 2000
DART adds 2.6 more miles to the new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-35E/US 67. DART now has 23 miles of HOV lanes in four corridors.
September 18, 2000
Trinity Railway Express Commuter Rail expands service to three new Tarrant County stations - the Richland Hills station, the Hurst/Bell station and the CentrePort/DFW Airport station.
September 27, 2000
DART's Board of Directors approves a $687.2 million budget for Fiscal Year 2001 that keeps the largest light rail expansion program in North America moving and puts DART on target to carry more than 100 million commuters in the year ahead.
November 13, 2000
DART opens the West Irving Trinity Railway Express Commuter Rail Station.
December 4, 2000
DART's Board of Directors orders 160 new clean fuel buses with state-of-the-art customer amenities and engines that will meet increasingly stringent state and federal emissions standards.
December 18, 2000
Cityplace Station, the Southwest's first subway station, opens. Cityplace Station has Texas-style dimensions, including six pairs of escalators. The tri-level facility reaches depths of 120 feet underneath North Central Expressway.
December 2000
For the fourth consecutive year, DART's total ridership grows, with fiscal year 2000 passenger trips reaching 94.7 million, for a 3.8 percent gain.
2001
February 22, 2001
DART begins 321 GO door-to-door service. The program, named 321 GO after the bus route, is DART's first demonstration of Personalized Public Transit (PPT), a high-tech program that uses satellites to plan a flexible bus route.
February 28, 2001
DART and four local chambers of commerce sign Memoranda of Understanding, making joint commitments to increase minority participation in DART contracts and hiring.
March 21, 2001
DART debuts the 30-foot iBus at the Dallas Auto Show.
June 14, 2001
DART Rail celebrates its 5th birthday. Since opening light rail in 1996, total passengers trips reach nearly 50,000,000 on the light rail starter system.
September 24, 2001
DART discontinues the use of transfer slips and streamlines pass and ticket programs. A $2 Day Pass takes the place of transfer slips. The new fare structure also discontinues the $2 employers' discount for Monthly Passes and the 11-ride bonus pack. A new DART Annual Pass allows customers unlimited rides all year long.
September 24, 2001
White Rock Station, three miles northeast of Mockingbird Station, opens at East Northwest Highway and West Lawther Drive, the initial stop on the northeast rail extension to downtown Garland in 2002. The park-and-ride station is the first light rail expansion since the debut of the 20-mile starter system in 1996.
September 28, 2001
DART's Board of Directors approves a $606.3 million budget for Fiscal Year 2002 that keeps the largest multimodal transit expansion program in North America going.
October 2, 2001
DART's Board Chairman Jesse Oliver is named the American Public Transportation Association's Outstanding Board Member. An eight-year member of the DART Board of Directors -- and chairman since 1999 -- he is a driving force behind the successful debut of a multi-modal system of buses, light rail, commuter rail, paratransit and High Occupancy Vehicle lanes serving the dynamic North Texas region.
October 18, 2001
DART begins a new Major Investment Study (MIS) in east Dallas County, involving the community in the development and evaluation of alternative transportation improvement strategies. The study area includes parts of Dallas, Garland, Mesquite, Rowlett and Sunnyvale.
December 3, 2001
The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) commuter rail service -- a joint project of DART and the Fort Worth T -- expands to link Dallas and Fort Worth with passenger rail service for the first time since the mid-1930s. The TRE is projected to carry more than 11,000 riders daily by 2010.
December 2001
For the fifth consecutive year, DART's total ridership grows, with fiscal year 2001 passenger trips reaching 95.6 million passenger trips.
2002
February 25, 2002
DART's new Lake June Transit Center makes riding the bus better than ever for Southeast Dallas commuters. The new $4.9-million facility, served by three major bus routes, features enclosed, climate-controlled waiting areas, vending machines and 447 free parking spaces.
March 11, 2002
DART opens the final section of a new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane along I-35E and U.S. 67 south of downtown Dallas to Loop 12, completing an 11-mile HOV section that can save commuters an estimated 15 minutes or more each way. The new system is expected to serve around 19,000 commuters daily.
April 29, 2002
DART opens a new $400,000 bus patron facility at one of its busiest stops, 912 Commerce Street, in downtown Dallas. A joint project of DART, The Belo Corporation, the City of Dallas and McDonald's, the $400,000 Commerce Street project is the first of two new city oases planned for downtown Dallas.
May 6, 2002
DART Rail pushes past LBJ Freeway with the opening of LBJ/Skillman Station. DART's 23rd light rail station extends the Blue Line 3.5 miles from White Rock Station to serve Northeast Dallas. The station has 646 free parking spaces, passenger shelters, seating and telephones.
July 1, 2002
DART Rail reaches North Dallas and Richardson with seven new stations, extending the Red Line by more than nine miles. In Dallas, new rail stops include a new Park Lane Station, Walnut Hill Station, Forest Lane Station and LBJ/Central Station. In Richardson, DART trains stop at the new Spring Valley Station, Arapaho Center Station and Galatyn Park Station. Richardson is the first North Texas suburb to welcome DART light rail into its city limits.
November 18, 2002
DART Rail rolls into Garland with the openings of the new Forest/Jupiter and Downtown Garland stations. The rail expansion extends DART's Blue Line more than four miles, bringing the light rail system to 41 miles and 31 stations. Downtown Garland Station has 700 parking spaces and is located at Fifth and Walnut streets next to the Garland Central Transit Center. Forest/Jupiter Station, located on Forest Lane near Jupiter Road, has 561 parking spaces.
December 9, 2002
DART Rail reaches Richardson and Plano six months ahead of schedule. The rail expansion extends DART's Red Line three miles and adds three stations: Bush Turnpike Station in Richardson, Downtown Plano Station (15th St. and Ave. J) and Parker Road Station near the current East Plano Transit Center. The opening of the stations brings the DART Rail System to 44 miles and 34 stations, completing one of the largest rail expansion projects in North America and doubling DART's six-year-old, 20-mile light rail system.
2003
January 6, 2003
DART's official website, www.DART.org, rolls out a new trip planner allowing riders to plan bus and rail trips from the convenience of their personal computers. The technology behind the trip planner is a slimmed-down version of that used by DART's customer service representatives and supplements the efforts of the representatives.
January 2003
A new University of North Texas study shows DART Rail stations add value to nearby properties, particularly residential and office. According to the study, office properties near suburban DART Rail stations increased in value 53% more than comparable properties not served by rail, and values of residential properties rose 39% more than a group of control properties not served by rail.
Between 1997 and 2001, the mean value of 47 office properties near DART increased 24.7%, compared with an increase of 11.5% for 121 properties not near the stations, giving the DART office buildings the 53% advantage. The mean value of 3,262 residential properties near DART increased 32.1% versus an increase of 19.5% in the mean value of 4,393 properties not near the stations, for the 39% advantage, the study found.
February 21, 2003
DART breaks ground for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Transit Center near Fair Park. The transit center will ultimately serve as a rail station on the Southeast Corridor linking downtown Dallas and Pleasant Grove. The $3 million facility, scheduled to open in 2004, will feature enclosed, climate-controlled waiting areas, vending machines, restrooms and more than 200 free parking spaces.
March 2003
To give customers more value for their transit pass, the agency introduces DART destination deals. The deals feature discounts at stores, restaurants and attractions located within a quarter-mile of a DART Rail station or along a streetcar route connected to a station. Customers only have to present a valid DART ticket or pass to receive the discount.
October 2003
DART and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority join forces to expand the popular destination deals program to Tarrant County and stations served by the Trinity Railway Express. The program encourages shoppers, diners and fun-seekers to patronize businesses served by transit. Participating establishments provide discounts and other money-saving deals to anyone with a valid DART, TRE or Fort Worth T ticket or pass. More than 500 businesses participate in the program.
December 2003
DART's teamwork approach to creating economic opportunities for North Texas businesses is recognized with the "Sharing Success Award" by the publishers of four minority business newspapers. Presented by MCompany, the award commends the transit agency's efforts toward creating a level playing field in contracting for professional services and purchasing initiatives. The award recognizes supplier diversity among North Texas government agencies, transportation providers and educational institutions. DART was recognized as one of the "Best of the Decade in Supplier Diversity Procurement in the Public and Nonprofit Sector." DART paid more than $30 million to disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses in FY02, more than 25% of its total vendor activity.
2004
January 2004
DART marks 20 years of service to north Texas with a month-long customer celebration. Customers receive special discounts at participating merchants and compete for prizes. Customer appreciation events are held at DART facilities throughout the service area.
May 2004
The Malcolm X Bus Shelter opens. The shelter is the first facility of its kind in the DART system, and it will serve as a model for bus shelters to come. The off-street enhanced shelter features air ventilation, infrared heaters, landscaping, telephones and passenger information. The facility is part of the Malcolm X Bus Corridor development - the first of several planned DART Bus Corridors, which will incorporate successful elements of DART Rail, such as increased speeds and frequencies, as well as attractive and convenient waiting environments.
June 2004
DART continues to modernize its fleet and to increase its environmental friendliness. Having retrofitted 360 of its older buses to run on ultra-low-sulfur-diesel, the agency rolls out 80 more brand-new buses made by North American Bus Industries. The buses, which also use ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, are more than three times cleaner than the buses they replace. DART has replaced 710 buses since 1996.
November 2004
DART opens Victory Station at American Airlines Center, the first station of the Northwest Corridor rail expansion.
2005
February 21, 2005
DART opens the J. B. Jackson, Jr. Transit Center near Fair Park. The transit center, which is scheduled to become part of the DART Rail System as the Martin Luther King, Jr. Station, is rich with art and architecture expressing the history of the South Dallas neighborhood and the African heritage claimed by most of its residents. Special care was also taken to create a focal point for the community and a fitting tribute to Jackson, a political activist and a board member in DART's early years.
2006
June 14, 2006
DART marks the 10th anniversary of the start of light rail service. Customer events are held throughout the month to celebrate. The rail line began with an 11-mile network linking downtown Dallas with the West and South Oak Cliff sections of the city. Today it is a 45-mile network extending from Plano in the north, Garland in the northeast, through downtown Dallas and on to the West and South Oak Cliff sections of the city.
July 3, 2006
The Federal Transit Administration approves a $700-million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) to kick-start a $2.5-billion expansion that will lead to the doubling of the DART Rail System to 90 miles by 2013. The grant is the largest ever awarded to DART. The FFGA - in which the federal government makes a commitment to fund a transportation project over a number of years - will support a 21-mile northwest/southeast "connector" linking Farmers Branch and the Pleasant Grove section of Dallas. When complete in 2010, the Green Line will serve several regional destinations including Deep Ellum, Baylor University Medical Center, Fair Park, Victory Park, the Dallas Market Center, the Southwestern Medical District, Love Field Airport and downtown Farmers Branch.
October 24, 2006
The DART Board of Directors unanimously approves the blueprint for the next generation of bus, rail and high occupancy vehicle services in North Texas with the passage of the 2030 Transit System Plan. The plan covers projects to be undertaken by the transit agency through 2030 in the 13-city DART Service Area. The 2030 DART Transit System Plan approved by the board identifies, schedules and budgets system improvement projects that will more precisely respond to changing regional land use and development patterns. The projects will be funded primarily by revenues from the one-cent sales tax levied in DART's 13 member cities. The plan also extends DART's reach with rail service to the outlying areas of the DART Service Area, paving the way for potential new member cities.
December 30, 2006
DART marks the 10th anniversary of the Trinity Railway Express. The southwest's first commuter rail line — a 10-mile route linked Union Station in Downtown Dallas to Irving when it debuted — now connects Dallas and Fort Worth on a 35-mile-long route running parallel to the Trinity River. The TRE is a joint service of DART and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T).
2007
March 2007
For the second consecutive year, the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber (GDHCC) honors DART with the Unidos Award for its contribution to the growth of Hispanic businesses in North Texas.
May 2007
DART launches a comprehensive two-year Downtown Transit Study, which could result in a second Central Business District (CBD) rail line, as well as bus and streetcar improvements. The agency will focus on a broad transit corridor extending from Victory Park to Deep Ellum and target areas currently not directly served by DART Rail.
May 2007
The University of North Texas Center for Economic Development and Research release a study estimating more than $8.1 billion in economic activity from the North Texas region's investment of $4.86 billion to build DART's current 45-mile light rail system and the planned 48-mile expansion.
July 31, 2007
DART kicks off the 50-mile HOV lane system expansion to its 31-mile HOV lane network when it opens the first six miles of a new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane that eventually will stretch between Dallas and Fort Worth on Tom Landry Freeway (I-30). The first section open is between the Dallas/Tarrant County Line and Loop 12. The lanes are available to vehicles with two or more occupants, buses, motorcycles and other eligible vehicles, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Other lanes set to open throughout Fall 2007 are on Central Expressway (U.S. 75), LBJ Freeway (I-635), and East R. L. Thornton (I-30).
August 30, 2007
Farmers Branch officials break ground for the future Farmers Branch Station, scheduled to open in December 2010 as part of the Green Line. Located at the site of the present Farmers Branch Transit Center, city officials plan to create a town center environment around the station with transit-oriented development featuring a mix of retail, professional services, restaurants and residential projects.
September 8, 2007
The City of Carrollton hosts a groundbreaking near the site of the future Downtown Carrollton Station, one of three Carrollton stations scheduled to open on the Green Line in December 2010. The other stations are Trinity Mills Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station. The North Carrollton Station will mark the northern terminus of the Green Line and is planned to serve as a connection with rail service operated by the Denton County Transit Authority.
December 4, 2007
Citing escalating costs of construction materials and services worldwide, DART officials announce plans to trim up to $900 million in projected costs for future light rail extensions to North Irving, DFW International Airport and Rowlett. The $900-million figure is a "preliminary" target identified during a project update at the 10% design stage -- an early point in the cost estimation of DART's rail projects. Additional project updates are performed as planners and engineers complete 30%, 65% and 90% levels of design in preparation for actual construction. The 20-Year Financial Plan included $988 million for the Irving/Rowlett rail extensions, and the $900 million escalation would bring the actual cost closer to $1.9 billion. The Irving/Rowlett review would not affect construction of DART's $1.7 billion, 28-mile Green Line, which begins opening with service to Fair Park in September 2009. The Green Line will stretch from Pleasant Grove in Southeast Dallas, through Deep Ellum and downtown Dallas, to the Medical/Market District, Love Field Airport, Farmers Branch and Carrollton.
December 17, 2007
DART adds six miles of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-30 (East R.L. Thornton Freeway) extending the lanes from Jim Miller Road in East Dallas, past LBJ Freeway, to Northwest Drive in Mesquite. The current I-30 (East R. L. Thornton) lane runs five miles from downtown Dallas to Jim Miller Road. This reversible lane - which supports westbound commuters during morning rush hours and eastbound commuters during afternoon rush hours - opened in 1991 and features Barrier Transfer Vehicles (BTVs) or "zipper machines" to open the lanes to traffic.
December 21, 2007
A new 14-mile HOV lane on US 75 extending north from the "High Five" interchange to Exchange Parkway in Allen is scheduled to opens. The US 75 HOV lane extends 14 miles northward from the High Five interchange and features a direct "connector" between the HOV lane on LBJ Freeway and the new Central Expessway HOV lanes, enabling motorists to transfer easily from one to the other.
2008
January 23, 2008
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) opens its newest transportation management center - DalTrans. DART is a partner in the $10 million facility located at 4625 East US Highway 80 in Mesquite. The new 54,000 square foot facility expands DalTrans' capabilities and becomes the central traffic operations center for all highway management and intelligent transportation system integration including approximately 200 TxDOT cameras along more than 100 miles of roadway. DART's HOV network is monitored at this location.
January 28, 2008
A 12-mile extension of the I-635 (LBJ Freeway) HOV lane -- from U.S. 75 (Central Expressway) to I-30 -- opens, roughly doubling the length of HOV lanes in one of the nation's busiest freeway corridors. The new LBJ lanes, which operate in both directions 24 hours a day, are the latest phase in the regional expansion of DART's HOV network, which will add about 50 miles to the existing 40-mile network.
January 30, 2008
Carrollton business owner Randall Chrisman becomes chairman of the DART Board of Directors. Chrisman, who has represented Carrollton and Irving since 2002, was elected vice chairman in 2007. He became chairman following the resignation of Lynn Flint Shaw of Dallas. Chrisman named Dallas member Robert W. Strauss vice chair, Irving member John Danish secretary and Dallas member Pamela Dunlop Gates assistant secretary. The officers will serve through the DART Fiscal Year, which ends in September.
