Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons
Mark A. Ball

September 1, 2009

Green Line opens September 14

New DART fares and service changes coming in September

New fare changes, along with bus and rail service changes, will take effect September 14 with the opening of the new Green Line by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Details of the changes are in the service change brochure available on DART vehicles and inside transit centers or by visiting www.DART.org or calling 214-979-1111.

Some of the highlights of the fare changes include:

• The Local Single Ride fare for buses and light rail will increase from $1.50 to $1.75. The Single Ride Premium Pass is being replaced with a zoned commuter rail and express bus pass ranging in price from $2.50 (for express bus and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) between Union Station and West Irving Station) to $3.75 (for two-zone TRE travel to Tarrant County).
  
  
• The Local Day pass, which provides unlimited service on DART buses and light rail vehicles, will increase $1 from $3 to $4. The Commuter Rail One-Zone & Express Bus Pass will go up $2 from $3 to $5. The Commuter Rail Two-Zone Pass will be $7.50.
  
  
• The reduced fare will increase from 75 cents to 85 cents.
  
  
• On October 1, the single ride fare for Paratransit service, for customers with disabilities, also will increase 25 cents from $2.75 to $3.
  
  
• This is DART's first fare change since October 2007 when base fares were raised 25 cents and day passes increased 50 cents.
  
  
• 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.