Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has extended discount cards for recipients of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the continued government shutdown.
Recipients of entitlement programs like SNAP can save 50% on local fares through DART’s Discount GoPass Tap Cards. Due to the federal government’s recent shutdown, the agency announced on November 3 that it would extend the validity of these cards through the remainder of the year.
“We understand the financial squeeze many of our riders are feeling,” said Jeamy Molina, chief communications officer, in a press release. “As our core mission at DART is to facilitate mobility around North Texas, we have the unique opportunity to provide some relief.”
The discount cards are valid so long as one is eligible for an entitlement program, according to DART’s website. The release stated that DART would extend the validity of cards up for renewal in November or December, and users would not be required to provide a “proof of benefits card.”
Discount cards are available to those on taxpayer-funded entitlements, including SNAP, Medicare, Texas Medicare/Medicaid Plan, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Housing Solutions for North Texas, Housing Choice Voucher Program, Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program, Parkland Financial Assistance, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
To sign up for the discount cards, residents must provide their names and addresses, a photo, and proof of participation in the entitlement program. The card is free, but users must load it with at least $6 – equal to two reduced day passes – to get started.
“Public transit is more than just about getting from Point A to Point B,” Molina said. “Our role is also education and economic mobility, and we are proud to have a part in that journey.”
DART VP of Public Relations Erin Myers told The Dallas Express that the discount offers 50% off local fares, regardless of the rider’s qualification. She said the agency decided to extend the cards because it has “discretion to do so.”
“Discount GoPass Tap Cards are available to a variety of people, including seniors, students, SNAP recipients, and other qualifying organizations,” Myers told DX. “Our riders rely on this discount to provide vital transportation to work, medical appointments, and education.”
As long as a rider was eligible for the program from October 31 through their SNAP qualification, the card remains valid for the rest of the year, according to Myers.
“An extension allows them to have peace of mind that they can continue to use our system regardless of the SNAP program status,” Myers told DX.
After the government shutdown temporarily halted SNAP payouts, schools across Texas and Oklahoma stepped up to fill the needs of families who rely on these programs, as The Dallas Express reported. Texas food pantries were also bracing for the SNAP pause.
The Plano City Council will decide on November 5 whether to let its citizens vote on exiting DART, citing fiscal and governance concerns, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Plano saw a $65 million payment-to-service deficit in 2023, and other member cities have voiced similar frustrations.
Dallas holds a vast majority of the seats on the DART board. However, cities like Plano and Farmers Branch share a single representative, which mayors say makes it difficult to represent constituents effectively.
The agency has also been struggling with growing crime across the system, as The Dallas Express also reported. Group A Offenses – including arson, assault, robbery, and drugs – have increased by nearly 44% since last year.
DART spent more than $2.4 million on executive bonuses from 2020 to 2024, and over $800,000 in total on executive bonuses last year alone, as The Dallas Express exclusively reported.
Meanwhile, DART is billions of dollars in debt. This debt is divided among member cities, which former Plano City Councilman Shelby Williams previously said poses an “exit barrier” to keep member cities from leaving.
The next window for cities to opt out of DART is 2026. Cities like Plano may soon allow their voters to choose whether to seek alternative transit solutions or to remain with the agency.