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.

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.

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.

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.

May 22, 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.

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.

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.

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 1997

DART begins acquisition of 5.25 miles of railroad right-of-way and land from Union Pacific 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.

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.

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

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.

anuary 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

September 1990

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 32.01 miles of ROW and the operating rights between Dallas and Fort Worth along the Railtran corridor for TRE.

October 1990

DART begins light rail transit construction with San Jacinto Street relocation.

December 1990

DART acquires 54.07 miles of railroad ROW for the Cotton Belt from St. Louis Southwestern Railway Co. for transit use after the year 2010.

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.

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.

February 1988

DART formally acquires Dallas Transit System and its operations from the City of Dallas.

April 1988

DART purchases 34.28 miles of railroad right-of-way (ROW) from the Southern Pacific Transportation Company - 27.48 miles of ROW for transit use and 6.8 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

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.

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.

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.

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.