With the growth of Dallas and the expansion of the suburbs, DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) is kicking off its new bus network that allows passengers to get to work, school, or their favorite places around Dallas, faster.
To celebrate, DART is offering a week of free rides starting January 24 through the end of service on January 30. For those who use contactless payments, DART is also offering half-priced rides from January 13 through the end of service on February 14.
DART has improved its Core Frequent Network service to match or surpass the current light rail system, with fifteen-minute service during peak times and service every twenty minutes during the midday.
DART’s new network will allow residents access to transportation within walking distance from their homes across seventy-five percent of the DART service area. Direct routes running straight to corridors and transit areas will give riders quicker arrival times and fewer stops.
For those working non-traditional hours, DART has implemented longer service times. Whether you work during the day or late at night, public transportation will be available. All local DART bus routes will operate from 5 a.m. until midnight, with twenty-two core frequent bus routes running from 4 a.m. until 1 a.m. For residents working more than one job, DART increased the number of jobs a rider could access within an hour by thirty-four percent compared to the current bus network.
Thirteen new GoLink Zones have also been established that will take the place of traditional fixed routes. GoLink is DART’s on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service that runs in zones across service areas and is free with DART fare. The new network gives riders thirty GoLink zones that will allow them to get where they need to go faster, with some zones providing Saturday and Sunday service.
Along with GoLink service, riders can use UberPool, the ride-share program from Uber, to travel to or from any DART station or transit center within a zone for one dollar and travel to or from any destination within a zone for three dollars.
GoLink riders can book and pay for trips with the DART GoPass app or by calling 214-515-7272.
UberPool rides can be booked using the Uber app, which is free when downloaded from either the Apple Store or Google Play.
More information about the new bus network is available at dartzoom.org.