DART News Release
May 12, 2009 | General
Board approves fare increases, service changes
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Media Relations Contact: May 12, 2009 Most changes take effect September 14 Board approves fare increases, service changes Following months of discussion and more than one dozen public meetings, the DART Board of Directors has approved a series of fare changes, along with bus and rail service changes, to take effect September 14, 2009 with the opening of the Green Line.
DART remains a bargain Even with the fare change DART's new base fare of $1.75 will be lower than the national benchmark fare of $1.96 and equal to or lower than comparable base fares in Denver, Miami, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. In fact, at $4, DART's popular local day pass will remain among the lowest fares at comparable transit systems. A number of comparable transit agencies across the country have already raised their fares in the last few years including Denver, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, St. Louis, Houston, Miami and Portland. DART's last fare change was October 2007 when the base fares were increased 25 cents and the day passes rose 50 cents. Fare changes support expansion, manage challenges of slowed economy It is expected the fares will generate approximately $11 million in new revenue. Like transit agencies nationwide, DART has experienced significant increases in the cost of doing business. Much of this higher cost was due to service added to accommodate increased ridership in 2008 triggered by higher fuel costs. The fare change also is part of DART's 20-year financial plan, which supports the doubling of the Light Rail system during the next four years. In September 2009, DART will debut rail service on the Green Line and will complete the 28-mile line from Pleasant Grove to Carrollton in December 2010. DART also has begun work on the 14-mile Orange Line to Irving, Las Colinas and DFW Airport plus a 4.5-mile Blue Line extension from Garland to Rowlett. The Orange Line will open in stages between 2011 and 2013 and the Blue Line will arrive in Rowlett in 2012. By 2013 DART will have doubled its rail system to more than 90 miles. The increase in service means more rail cars and more people to operate and maintain them. At the same time we are expanding service, the slowing regional economy has resulted in lower sales taxes, the principal source of DART's revenue. Green Line debut highlights service improvements September 14 marks the opening of the Green Line. The first section of the $1.8 billion line will extend from Pearl Station on the east side of Downtown Dallas to Deep Ellum Station, Baylor University Medical Center Station, Fair Park Station (at the intersection of Parry and Exposition) and the MLK Station, adjacent to the J. B. Jackson, Jr. Transit Center on the east side of Fair Park. It restores rail service to a neighborhood that 50 years ago was home to up to four rail lines. Daily service to Victory Station -- both DART Rail and TRE -- will also begin September 14. The remaining 25 miles of the Green Line, scheduled to open in December 2010, will extend southeast to Pleasant Grove and northwest from Victory Station to the Dallas Market Center, the Southwestern Medical District, Love Field Airport and downtown Farmers Branch and Carrollton. A number of bus route and schedule changes will support the rail opening. Other changes include schedule adjustments in high ridership areas, and some service reductions for low-performing routes (mainly on weekends). In response to community input Route 184 will be continued until at least December 2010, and Route 19 service to the CBD East Transfer Center will also be maintained. Call customer information at 214-979-1111 for details. Following is a table reflecting the changes to DART fares.
Premium Fares Premium Fares are being replaced with the Commuter Rail & Express Bus pass. CR 1 Zone & Express Bus fare also valid for DART On-Call and FLEX Service where the origin or destination is off the FLEX route. Reduced Fares Eliminate the CBD as a reduced fare zone. Paratransit Fares The Board approved a two-year implementation of the FY 2007 Paratransit fare increase. The fare is scheduled to increase from $2.75 to $3.00 on October 1, 2009. Management has retracted the proposed increase from $3.00 to $4.00 effective October 1, 2010. High School Program** The following table reflects the changes to the High School fares.
Annual Passes Annual passes are priced based on the cost of ten monthly passes. The rider receives two free months.
* Reduced Fares are applicable on bus and rail for the following: (a) Seniors, Non-Paratransit Disabled, and High School students with valid ID (b) Children, elementary through junior high school (Children under 5 - see Free Fares) (c) DART Shuttle Bus Routes ** Reduced High School Fare for students with valid ID -- 30 -- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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