Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s 4.5-mile Blue Line extension from Downtown Garland Station to the new Downtown Rowlett Station opens Dec. 3 as part of major service and fare changes that include updated pass choices for shorter and off-peak trips.
The new fare structure provides regional fare consistency with DCTA and The T, minimizing the impact on customers who are transit-dependent. Details about the changes can be found in brochures available on DART vehicles, inside transit centers, by visiting www.DART.org or by calling 214-979-1111.
The long-awaited Downtown Rowlett Station gives passengers from that city access to the entire DART Rail System. The station features 750 parking spaces and an architectural design reflecting the community’s distinctive personality.
On the same day, DART opens the 3.9-mile Orange Line extension from Irving Convention Center Station, adding the North Lake College and Belt Line Road stations. Those stations advance the Orange Line toward its eventual terminus at DFW International Airport. It allows North Texans to expand connections to educational opportunities, the arts, air travel, meetings, conventions and more. The addition of two stations gives Irving five light rail stops.
Downtown Rowlett Station reflects the community
Glass tile mosaic medallions of pastoral images adorn the platform of the Downtown Rowlett Station. A landscaped walkway connects the rail station to nearby bus bays and features paneled walls depicting flowers, birds and trees, and community life. The walls culminate in an undulating circle that recalls cascading water. Rowlett officials are thinking big about the area surrounding the station. They believe rail access will unlock the potential of the city’s Downtown Transit Oriented Development area, as well as the Pecan Grove Waterfront Entertainment District.
New rail schedule starts Nov. 19
The final part of operator training begins Nov. 19 when DART introduces a new light rail schedule that accommodates the Dec. 3 opening of the new Orange and Blue line stations as well as the adjustment of bus routes connecting to them. Most light rail customers will notice only small differences with the new schedule, but they are encouraged to get a new rail pocket guide for exact schedules on all lines.
Bus routes changed in Rowlett
Route 207 will be discontinued with the extension of the Blue Line. Route 283 trips to Rowlett will also be discontinued; however, trips between the Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center and downtown Dallas will continue to operate. Route 887, a FLEX route, will be modified to operate between Downtown Rowlett Station and Dexham Road to the west and extend the route east along Lakeview Parkway to Amesbury Lane. Service in discontinued areas west of Dexham Road will be provided by routes 377, 513 and 571. Service will be operated weekdays only with buses every 30 minutes during rush hours and every 40 minutes in non-rush hours.
Orange Line adds two Irving stations, bus routes adjusted
North Lake College Station provides on-site parking with 194 spaces, while Belt Line Station’s 596 parking spaces bring the added dimension of an exclusive airport shuttle and new extended hours for paid parking.
Bus routes affected by the new Orange Line extension include:
- Route 302, modified and renumbered to new route 504 operating between Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing and North Lake College stations.
- The combination of routes 303 and 308 to form a new route 401 operating along MacArthur Boulevard and connecting Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing and North Lake College stations with Valley Ranch.
- Modification of route 501 to serve North Lake College Station as well as Irving Convention Center Station.
- Discontinuation of route 310, with most of its segments replaced by new routes 500, 509 and 510.
To improve transfer opportunities between Irving/Las Colinas buses as well as bus/rail connections, a number of routes will be relocated from Las Colinas Urban Center Station to the Irving Convention Center Station and/or the North Irving Transit Center. Those changes include routes 234, 400, 501, 503, 507 and 528. Some of these routes will connect Irving Convention Center Station and the North Irving Transit Center directly, and customers will have an option to either walk or take a bus for this connection.
New airport bus service caters to DFW, Love Field customers
New route 500 connects customers at Belt Line Station in Irving to DFW Airport’s Terminal A and CentrePort Station on the Trinity Railway Express. Buses will meet each Orange Line train, operating every 15 minutes during rush hours, 20 minutes midday, and 30 minutes late evenings. In addition, route 500 will offer a service to airline customers who wish to take advantage of DART’s long-term parking option at Belt Line Station. Options for passengers under DART’s enhanced Fair Share Parking program can be found at DART.org/paidparking. Service to CentrePort will be available when TRE trains are running.
New route 524 connects customers at Inwood/Love Field Station to Dallas Love Field Airport. Operating every 15 minutes during rush hours, 20 minutes midday and 30 minutes late evening, buses will meet every Green Line train and provide direct service to Love Field. Buses also will make all current stops of the current route 39 north of the station.
Forest Lane Corridor gets Rapid Ride bus service
Route 987 is the first in a potential series of Rapid Ride routes featuring faster, limited-stop service. This route debuts along the existing Route 486, connecting Downtown Garland and Royal Lane stations. In addition to these two stations, stops will include Brookhaven College; Forest/Jupiter and Forest Lane stations; Forest Lane at Plano Road, Audelia Road, Abrams Road, Greenville Avenue, Park Central Drive, Preston Road, Marsh Lane and Josey Lane; and on Alpha Road at Preston, Noel and Midway roads. Service will operate weekdays only during rush hours with a 15-minute frequency.
Other routes altered
Additional bus service changes include alterations or schedule adjustments to routes 31, 35, 39, 42, 49, 51, 59, 111, 155, 282, 307, 360, 377, 378, 385, 404, 408, 445, 475, 502, 505, 508, 526, 527, 534, 535, 538, 544, 547, 553, 554, 560, 582, 591, 594 and 595. Discontinued routes include 27, 512, 548, 550 and 567.
New routes include 514 to replace route 307, operating between the West Irving and Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing stations as far as Carl Road only (extending service along Nursery Road, westbound SH 183 service road and Carl Road); and route 529, operating between Royal Lane and Inwood/Love Field Stations, to replace a portion of current route 51.
New fare structure offers savings and choices
DART’s new fare system makes it easier to transfer from buses to trains and establishes a new, money-saving midday pass. There are no changes to the reduced fare structure and the price of a paratransit fare remains at $3. Other changes include:
- A two-hour pass that costs $2.50 replaces the current single-ride ticket.
- Three fare classes, Local, System, and Regional, have been consolidated into two classes, Local and Regional. The Local Base Fare and Day Pass increases from $1.75 and $4, respectively, to $2.50 and $5, but incorporates the features of the former System pass.
- A new midday pass, good between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday is $1.75 for the Local and $3.50 for the Regional pass.
- Corporate annual passes are simplified to reflect a price equal to 75 percent of the individual annual pass price.
More fare change information is available online at www.DART.org/2012FareChange.
Rail station gets new name
The Trinity Railway Express Hurst/Bell Station will be renamed Bell Station, as chosen by the city of Fort Worth. In addition, the street name will change from Bell Spur to Bell Helicopter Boulevard.
Will your new service to Collin County for disabled citizens include Prosper. I was in TAPS, but I lost that service. I tried Uber, but I don’t have the kind of cell phone required for their service. Any suggestions? Prosper is very close to Allen. Thank-you.
Deirdre Day, age 82.