error DART train service is currently experiencing significant delays due to the severe weather across North Texas. Learn More
error Up to a $3,500 sign-on bonus for new bus operators! Learn More
logo
  • logo
  • Trip
      Trip Planning
      • Plan Your Trip
      • Service Alerts
      • Severe Winter Weather Operating Plans
  • Guide
      Transit and Use
      • Schedules and Maps
      • Transit Services
      • DART Bus Service
      • DART Rail System
      • Trinity Railway Express -TRE
      • GoLink
      • Paratransit Services
      • Dallas Streetcar
      • M-line Trolley
      • West Dallas Shuttle 
      • Park & Rides, Transit Centers & Transfer Locations
      • Vanpool
      Supporting Services
      • Accessibility
      • Mobility Ambassador Program
      • Bike and DART
      • Rider Assistance Program
      • Park and Rides
      Safety and Security
      • Passenger Guide to Safety and Security 
      • Get Help (Safe Place program)
      • Safety and Security
  • Fare
      General Fares and Overview
      • Fares
      • Fare Citations and Policies
      • Discount GoPass® Tap Card
      • Reduced Fares
      • Group and Advance Sales Fares
      • Employer Pass Program
      • Day Pass Voucher Application
  • About
      About DART
      • About DART
      • Board Members
      • Executive Staff 
      • DART Scorecard
      • DART Service Area and Facts
      • DART Police
      • Belonging and Civil Rights
      Doing Business
      • Procurement
      • Advertising And Sponsorship
      • D/M/WBE Programs
      Project and Initiatives
      • Innovation
      • Expansion
      • Transit Oriented Development and Planning
      News and Events
      • News Releases
      • Events
      • Transit Education
      Public Access Information
      • Financial Information
      • Board Meetings Information
      • Community Connections
      • Right of Way Information
      • Reports and Policy Information
      • Internal Audit
      • Public Information Act Requests
      • Legal Notices
      • Coronavirus Information
  • Careers
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • language
    Home About News and Events News Releases News Release Detail

DART News Release

arrow_back_ios Back to News Releases
Mar 16, 2020 | General
North Texas Transit Agencies Expand Safety Protocols Around Coronavirus Concerns

March 16, 2020


North Texas Transit Agencies Expand Safety Protocols Around Coronavirus Concerns

North Texas public transit agencies have aggressively expanded agency-wide cleaning and safety protocols in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), Fort Worth's Trinity Metro and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) all remain in close contact with local, state and national health authorities, including the Texas Department of State Health Services and the CDC, and will continue to monitor the situation for residents in the North Texas region.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

DART vehicles now receive additional cleanings throughout the day. High-touch surface areas are cleaned with a solution approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as successful in killing the coronavirus, as well as influenza, rhinovirus, norovirus, salmonella, staphylococcus, and e-coli. High-touch surfaces include handrails, door buttons, grab rails and hanging straps.

Procedures remain enforced to isolate vehicles and areas that have been exposed to unsanitary and unhygienic situations. This includes removing vehicles from service that have been exposed to biohazard situations from passengers. DART encourages passengers who feel sick or are experiencing symptoms to stay home and avoid public places.

As a DART passenger, if you see an unhygienic surface that needs attention, please contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, or you can use the "DART Say Something" app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play. DART also reminds customers that the best way to stay informed about changes in service is through DART Alerts. Customers can sign-up for DART Alerts at dart.org.

Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA)

Along with regular cleanings, DCTA uses a medical-grade disinfecting spray on all buses, trains and at the Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC). In addition, they've increased the cleaning of critical high-touch point areas on trains, buses and at facilities such as door handles, counter tops and steering wheels. DCTA riders and employees can find more information at RideDCTA.net, including signing up for agency Rider Alerts.

DCTA encourages passengers who feel sick or are experiencing symptoms to stay home and avoid public places. If you have questions or concerns, please send feedback via DCTA's GORequest platform which is available at RideDCTA.net or you can download the free mobile app on the Apple and Google Play store.

Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is taking precautionary measures to help safeguard customers and employees by modifying procedures to reduce exposure to coronavirus. Extra efforts have been made to increase the frequency of cleaning of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, benches and ticket vending machines with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses and vans are sanitized daily and all buses are equipped with ionizers, which help purify the air as it is recirculated in the vehicle. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

Trinity Metro customers, partners and employees are reminded to protect their health and the health of others by washing hands regularly, covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and staying home when sick.

For questions regarding Trinity Metro's precautionary measures in response to COVID-19 or Trinity Metro's services, customer care representatives are available at 817-215-8600. Customers can sign up for alerts from Trinity Metro at RideTrinityMetro.org.

Each North Texas agency is also prepared to escalate cleaning processes for transit vehicles should the need arise.

Trinity Railway Express (TRE)

The TRE (jointly owned by DART and Trinity Metro) continues to take additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus on trains as well as in office locations. Operation teams are disinfecting TRE trains with a focus on high-tough areas. This includes the use of a hospital-grade spray disinfectant, foaming germicidal cleaner and disinfecting wipes. Train crews have been provided hand sanitizers and access to gloves, and signage has been posted on trains to educate both employees and the public on how to avoid getting sick.

TRE passengers are encouraged to sign-up for Rider Alerts about service changes at trinityrailwayexpress.org.

Protect Yourself

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
MEDIA CONTACTS

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Gordon Shattles
[email protected]
(214) 749-3010

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Mark A. Ball
[email protected]
(214) 749-3295

Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA)
Adrienne Hamilton
[email protected]
(972) 316-6114

Laura Hanna, Trinity Metro
[email protected]
(817) 215-8973

-- 30 --


Sign Up for Alerts Just for You!

The best way to stay up to date on service alerts and other DART-related news and information is to register for My DART Updates.

Subscribe

Contact Us Today!

1401 Pacific Ave, Dallas, TX 75202

call  214-979-1111

Representatives are available Monday through Friday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holidays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  1. Careers
  2. Contact
  3. Privacy Policy
  4. Legal
  5. Powered by Google Translate Translate
Hidden Utility Section
Search widget for navbar
2023 Dallas Area Rapid Transit
  • DARTable
  • DARTdaily
  • DARTzoom
arrow_upward