Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Corporate brand
UnclaimedRegional public transportation agency operating bus, light rail, commuter rail, streetcar, and related mobility services in the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Dallas Area Rapid Transit, commonly known as DART, is a public transportation agency serving Dallas and participating municipalities in the northern and eastern parts of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. It provides a multimodal network comprising local and express buses, a large light-rail system, commuter rail, demand-responsive services, high-occupancy vehicle facilities, and operations or financial support for selected streetcar and trolley services. The agency is one of the principal public mobility providers in North Texas and is organized as a regional transit authority rather than as a private commercial brand. DART was established on August 13, 1983, following votes by area communities to create a regional transit organization funded primarily through a one-percent local sales tax in member cities. Its creation was intended to replace and expand upon the Dallas Transit System, the municipal operator that had consolidated earlier private transit and streetcar companies. Although DART was created in 1983, it did not formally complete its acquisition of Dallas Transit System operations until 1988. The initial regional plan envisioned a substantially larger rail network, but membership changes, political opposition, and the failure of a 1988 bond proposal resulted in a more limited initial program. Rail became the defining element of the agency's long-term development. DART's first light-rail services, the Red and Blue lines, opened in 1996. The network later expanded to four light-rail lines serving Dallas, northern suburbs, South Dallas, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The system covers approximately 93 miles of track and uses electrically powered light-rail vehicles with low-floor, level-boarding features in the central portions of the cars. For many years it was the largest light-rail system in the United States by route mileage, although it no longer held that distinction after the Los Angeles regional system surpassed it in 2023. DART also jointly operates the Trinity Railway Express with Trinity Metro. The commuter line links downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth and began service in 1996, reaching Fort Worth in 2001. The Silver Line, a newer commuter rail route between DFW Airport and Plano, opened to passengers in October 2025. DART additionally supports regional connections with the Denton County Transportation Authority's A-train, TEXRail, the city-owned Dallas Streetcar, and the nonprofit McKinney Avenue Transit Authority's fare-free M-Line Trolley. Bus service remains central to DART's operations. In 2022, buses accounted for more than half of the agency's average weekday trips. The network was comprehensively redesigned in January 2022 under the DARTzoom program, which increased scheduled hours and frequency on core corridors, reorganized route numbering and colors, consolidated some lightly used services, and expanded the use of GoLink demand-responsive zones. The redesign included a week of free rides to help passengers adapt to the new network. The agency has also pursued lower-emission vehicles. It introduced liquefied natural gas buses in 1998, subsequently built a large compressed-natural-gas fleet, and began operating battery-electric buses in 2018. In 2025, DART announced the purchase of 476 Gillig buses to replace much of its older NABI fleet. DART's future remains closely linked to debates over sales-tax equity, suburban membership, service distribution, and the balance between fixed-route transit and locally controlled microtransit. Despite those political pressures, it continues to operate an integrated regional network centered on Dallas.
History
DART's institutional predecessor was the Dallas Transit System, a municipal service formed in 1964 through the consolidation of earlier private operators and streetcar interests. Before that consolidation, Dallas transit was associated with the Dallas Railway and Terminal Company, whose network once included extensive streetcar routes. The last Dallas streetcar ran in January 1956, after which the company adopted its later identity. DART eventually assumed the Dallas Transit System's operations as part of the transition to regional governance. The regional authority was created on August 13, 1983. Voters in participating communities approved a one-percent sales tax to fund membership and transit service. Fifteen cities had joined or voted to join by the time DART began providing service in 1984. The authority's name signaled an ambition to serve the wider metropolitan area, although the acronym quickly invited comparison with the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit system. Formal acquisition of the Dallas Transit System was completed in 1988. DART's early regional ambitions were affected by local politics. A proposed rail program initially contemplated roughly 160 miles of rail. Several communities, including Duncanville, Grand Prairie, and Mesquite, did not join the authority, while other suburbs periodically considered withdrawal. Carrollton and Farmers Branch voters rejected withdrawal measures in 1985, but Flower Mound and Coppell later succeeded in leaving after a series of membership votes. Buckingham was the only later community to join, and it was subsequently annexed by Richardson. A 1988 bond proposal also failed, forcing DART to reduce its initial rail program to a smaller combination of light rail and commuter rail. The first Red and Blue light-rail lines opened in 1996, establishing the foundation of the modern network. The Trinity Railway Express also began operating in 1996 as a joint DART–Trinity Metro service and was extended to downtown Fort Worth in 2001. Subsequent expansions added the Green and Orange light-rail lines, airport-oriented service, and additional suburban connections. DART's rail network ultimately grew to approximately 93 miles, while the agency became involved in complementary services such as the Dallas Streetcar and the M-Line Trolley. Financial and governance concerns became especially visible in 2007 and 2008, when DART disclosed a projected shortfall of about $1 billion affecting planned Blue and Orange line work. The agency discussed borrowing and reallocating funds from other rail construction, prompting criticism from Dallas officials. The episode was followed by the resignation of board chair Lynn Flint Shaw. Shaw later faced forgery charges and died in March 2008 in a murder-suicide involving her husband, Rufus Shaw. These events intensified scrutiny of DART's management and financial planning. DART continued to modernize its bus operations. The agency adopted liquefied natural gas buses in 1998, later replacing much of its fleet with compressed-natural-gas vehicles. It introduced battery-electric buses in 2018, initially for the DLink downtown circulator; after DLink ended in 2019, those vehicles moved to regular routes. A planned trial of a newer long-range electric bus was affected by the bankruptcy of its manufacturer, Proterra. The most substantial bus change in recent years was DARTzoom, implemented on January 24, 2022. The redesign created a new structure of local, express, and shuttle routes, emphasized 22 frequent core corridors, extended service hours, changed route numbering and color conventions, and replaced some low-use routes with GoLink demand-responsive zones. Free rides during the first week were intended to support the transition. DART's newest major rail development was the Silver Line, a 26-mile commuter route between DFW Airport and Plano that opened on October 25, 2025. At the same time, questions about the distribution of sales-tax revenue and service benefits prompted renewed membership debates. An Ernst & Young study commissioned in 2023 was cited by suburban officials who argued that some wealthier cities contributed more than they received in directly allocated services. Several cities scheduled or considered withdrawal elections in 2026. Negotiations produced cancellations in some municipalities; Addison and University Park voted to remain, while Highland Park voted to leave. The disputes illustrate the continuing challenge of financing a regionwide network through locally collected tax revenue while maintaining a coherent metropolitan transit system.
- 2025
Silver Line opens
[1]DART begins passenger service on its airport-to-Plano commuter rail route.
- 2025
New bus replacement procurement announced
[1]DART announces plans to acquire 476 Gillig buses to replace older NABI vehicles.
- 2022
DARTzoom launches
[1]DART implements a comprehensive redesign of its bus network and offers free rides during the first week.
- 2018
DART introduces battery-electric buses
[1]Seven Proterra Catalyst buses enter service, initially assigned to the DLink circulator.
- 2016
Dallas Streetcar reaches its completed initial alignment
[1]The city-owned streetcar, operated by DART, completes construction in phases linking downtown Dallas and Oak Cliff.
- 2001
TRE reaches Fort Worth
[1]Trinity Railway Express service extends to downtown Fort Worth.
- 1998
Alternative-fuel bus program expands
[1]DART begins operating liquefied natural gas buses as part of an emissions-reduction initiative.
- 1996
Light rail and Trinity Railway Express begin
[1]The Red and Blue light-rail lines open, and the jointly operated Trinity Railway Express begins service.
- 1988
DART completes Dallas Transit System takeover
[1]The authority formally completes its acquisition of the municipal Dallas Transit System.
- 1984
Regional transit service begins
[1]DART begins transit operations after participating communities approve membership.
Products and positioning
Regional public transportation agency providing integrated, multimodal mobility across Dallas and participating North Texas communities.
Bus transit · 1984
DART Bus
DART's bus network provides the majority of system trips through local, express, shuttle, and demand-responsive connections. Following the DARTzoom redesign, routes are organized around service frequency and operating role, with frequent core corridors, revised route numbers, longer daily spans, and GoLink zones replacing or supplementing some lower-demand fixed routes.
Light rail · 1996
DART Light Rail
DART Light Rail is a four-line electrically powered urban and suburban rail network covering approximately 93 miles. The Red, Blue, Green, and Orange lines connect downtown Dallas with northern and eastern suburbs, South Dallas, and DFW Airport. The system uses custom-built Kinki Sharyo light-rail vehicles and forms the backbone of DART's regional network.
Commuter rail · 1996
Trinity Railway Express
The Trinity Railway Express is a jointly operated commuter railway linking downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth. It connects with DART light rail, TEXRail, and airport-related bus services. The line generally operates on weekdays and Saturdays, with limited Sunday operation for major events such as the State Fair of Texas.
Commuter rail · 2025
DART Silver Line
The Silver Line is a 26-mile commuter railway between DFW Airport and Plano. It uses a former St. Louis Southwestern corridor and connects with DART's Orange, Green, and Red lines as well as TEXRail in the airport area. Passenger service began in October 2025, with seven-day operation and scheduled intervals varying by period.
Streetcar · 2015
Dallas Streetcar
The Dallas Streetcar is a modern streetcar owned by the city of Dallas and operated by DART under a joint funding arrangement. Its approximately 2.45-mile alignment links downtown Dallas, the EBJ Union Station area, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, and the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. The line was constructed in two phases.
Heritage streetcar
M-Line Trolley support
The M-Line Trolley is a nonprofit-operated heritage streetcar in Dallas's Uptown neighborhood. DART and the Uptown Improvement District provide operating support, helping maintain fare-free service and connections to DART's Cityplace/Uptown and St. Paul rail stations.
Demand-responsive transit
GoLink
GoLink provides app- or call-based shared rides within designated service zones. It is used alongside fixed-route buses, particularly where conventional routes would offer limited coverage or frequency, and became more prominent through the DARTzoom network redesign.
Controversies
2008
Lynn Flint Shaw forgery case and death
After resigning as DART board chair amid the funding controversy, Lynn Flint Shaw surrendered to police on forgery charges. She and her husband, political analyst Rufus Shaw, were found dead in March 2008 in a case determined to be a murder-suicide.
2007
Rail-project funding shortfall
DART disclosed a projected shortfall of approximately $1 billion in funding associated with planned Blue Line and Orange Line extensions. The agency considered borrowing and redirecting money from other Dallas rail construction, prompting public criticism and scrutiny of management decisions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022DARTzoom launch and free-ride week
Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex
DART introduced its first comprehensive bus-network redesign since the authority's creation. The public-facing program emphasized frequent core routes, expanded hours, simplified route categories, and GoLink coverage.
Outcome. The redesigned network began operation on January 24, 2022, with all rides free for the first week to encourage trial and ease the transition.
Brand decisions
2025
Open the Silver LineProduct launchBackground
The airport-to-Plano corridor had been part of DART's long-range rail concepts and was developed as a commuter rail project on an existing freight corridor.
Action taken
DART opened the 26-mile Silver Line to passengers on October 25, 2025.
Aftermath
The line added an east–west airport connection and new transfers to DART light rail and TEXRail.
2022
Redesign the bus network through DARTzoomStrategyBackground
DART's bus system had retained a structure dating largely from the authority's 1983 incorporation and required improved frequency, coverage, and operating hours.
Action taken
DART consolidated and renumbered routes, established frequent core corridors, extended service hours, adjusted stops, and expanded GoLink zones.
Aftermath
The new network launched in January 2022 and changed how riders accessed local and frequent bus services.
2008
Reallocate and borrow against rail fundingStrategyBackground
DART reported a major funding gap affecting planned Blue and Orange line work.
Action taken
The agency announced plans to redirect money from other Dallas rail projects and borrow additional funds.
Aftermath
Dallas officials objected, and the agency faced intensified scrutiny over financial planning and governance.
Projected funding shortfall. Approximately $1 billion shortfall disclosed (December 2007–January 2008)
1996
Launch of DART light railProduct launchBackground
DART's original regional rail ambitions were reduced after membership changes and the failure of a bond proposal.
Action taken
The Red and Blue light-rail lines entered service.
Aftermath
Light rail became the central organizing element of DART's subsequent expansion program.
1983
Create a regional transit authorityStrategyBackground
Dallas-area communities sought to replace fragmented or municipal transit arrangements with a regionally funded and governed network.
Action taken
DART was established and financed primarily through a one-percent sales tax in member cities.
Aftermath
The authority became the principal regional operator of bus and rail services in the Dallas area.
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