Dallas Area Rapid Transit is preparing to launch a major security initiative at five light rail stations as the agency works to increase fare compliance, enforce its Rider Code of Conduct, and strengthen the visible security presence across the system.
The first phase, called Operation Access, is a 90-day demonstration expected to begin in late fall and continue through the winter. The initiative will be “the largest coordinated security engagement in DART’s history,” according to a DART news release.
It will initially focus on Bachman, MLK Jr., Forest Lane, 8th & Corinth and White Rock stations. DART said the locations were selected using incident data and to provide coverage across rail lines entering and leaving downtown Dallas.
Operation Access To Focus on Five Stations
The initiative will include DART police officers, Fare Enforcement Officers and Transit Security Officers working at designated control points and aboard trains.
A controlled-access pilot will also be introduced at selected stations to simulate a fare-gated system at locations with higher rates of fare evasion.
DART said the goal is to establish consistent fare enforcement while addressing violations of the agency’s Rider Code of Conduct and reinforcing expectations for safe and respectful behavior.
“Safety is fundamental to everything we do at DART,” Interim President and CEO David Leininger said. “Operation Access significantly increases our visible security presence while allowing us to gather the data necessary to determine what works and where we need to invest next.”
DART To Evaluate Results
During the 90-day demonstration, DART will collect data on enforcement, staffing, passenger flow and technology needs.
The information will be used to help determine which security measures may be expanded or modified across the light rail system.
DART Board Chair Randall Bryant said the agency has reduced crimes against people on its system by 21% this year. He also pointed to $35 million approved for a camera system overhaul and improved cleaning, along with another $32 million for diversion programs intended to reduce repeat offenses.
“Operation Access builds on those investments by putting resources where the data tells us they are needed most,” Bryant said.
Second Phase Could Include Fare Gates
DART plans to brief its board on October 13 on the second phase of the security initiative.
That review is expected to examine the feasibility of installing fare gates at rail platforms, placing a uniformed security officer in the first car of every train and potentially changing DART’s fare policy, Rider Code of Conduct and related policies.
The agency has not yet announced whether those measures will be implemented. The upcoming review is intended to assess their feasibility following the initial demonstration.
DART Serves 12 North Texas Cities
DART operates light rail, regional and commuter rail, bus routes, GoLink on-demand service and paratransit across a 700-square-mile service area.
The agency serves Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park, with more than 171,000 passengers using its services each day.
