Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Public transit agency: rail and bus

Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Public transit agency: rail and bus

Overview

DART coordinates public transit services in North Texas, combining light rail, the TRE commuter rail, buses, and paratransit to move over 220,000 passengers daily across a 700-square-mile area. Riders plan trips via GoPass app, the DART Trip Planner online, or by calling Customer Information; staff help select routes, times, and transfers, with fare quotes. DART differentiates itself through its broad network and services that aim to be fast, comfortable, and economical, plus programs like the Annual Employer Pass (E-Pass) for employers to attract and retain workers and the Emergency Ride Home benefit that offers a free taxi ride if needed during the workday. The goal is to serve as a trusted guide for getting around North Texas, offering reliable transportation options for work, shopping, and leisure.

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About Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Simplify's Rating

Why Dallas Area Rapid Transit is rated

C+

Rated B on Competitive Edge

Rated C on Growth Potential

Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Automotive & TransportationGovernment & Public Sector

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Dallas, Texas

Founded

N/A

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

September 2026 security pilot and board-backed camera spending show urgency on rider safety.
August 2026 ridership dashboards improve transparency and help cities optimize service decisions.
Federal grants in 2026 fund railcar replacement and South Dallas station upgrades through 2030.

What critics are saying

Plano, Irving, and Farmers Branch threaten DART's 2027 funding base and governance.
Operation Access signals fare evasion and safety problems still demand heavier policing.
A failed 2027 vehicle rollout or 2030 station upgrades would expose DART's aging fleet crisis.

What makes Dallas Area Rapid Transit unique

GoPass spans 14 agencies, unifying trip planning, payment, and regional mobility.
DART secured a September 2026 $70 million FTA grant for 53 replacement railcars.
Nathaniel Ford starts October 26, bringing proven turnaround leadership from JTA, SFMTA, and MARTA.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Flexible Work Hours
Remote Work Options
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
401(k) Retirement Plan
Stock Options
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Professional Development Budget

Company News

Plano Magazine

Oct 7th, 2026

DART expands GoLink services in Plano, adds Southwest Plano zone.

DART expands GoLink services in Plano, adds Southwest Plano zone. Dallas Area Rapid Tranist (DART) increased its on-demand GoLink service in Plano on Oct. 5, adding a new Southwest Plano zone and extending several existing service areas. GoLink is DART's on-demand service, which allows riders to book trips within designated zones through the GoPass app or by phone. The changes provide more connections to Parker Road, Downtown Plano and 12th Street stations, as well as the new Silver Line, Collin College's Plano Campus and the Jack Hatchell Transit Center. DART also broadened its Plano Zone-to-Zone Pilot and eliminated quarter-mile buffer restrictions, making it easier for riders to travel between GoLink service areas. Plano now has GoLink service in Far North Plano, Legacy West, South Central Plano, North Central Plano/Chase Oaks, East Plano, East Telecom and Southwest Plano.

Progressive Railroading

Sep 10th, 2026

DART launches light-rail security pilot program.

DART launches light-rail security pilot program. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is advancing a major new security initiative focused on strengthening safety, increasing fare compliance and enforcing DART's rider code of conduct across the light-rail system. The first phase, a controlled access pilot program called Operation Access, is expected to begin in late fall and continue for 90 days, DART officials said in a press release. The program will be implemented at five stations, selected based on incident data: Bachman, MLK Jr., Forest Lane, 8th & Corinth and White Rock stations. "Safety is fundamental to everything we do at DART," said David Leininger, DART's interim president & CEO. "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." Teams consisting of DART police officers, fare enforcement officers and transit security officers will conduct fare inspections and code of conduct enforcement at designated control points and aboard trains. "We have reduced crime against persons this year by 21%, but any crime on our system is unacceptable," said DART Chair Randall Bryant. "The DART board approved $35 million for a camera system overhaul and improved cleaning and another $32 million for diversion programs to reduce repeat offenders on the system. Operation Access builds on those investments by putting resources where the data tells us they are needed most." The second phase will be briefed to DART's board on Oct. 13 and will include a comprehensive review of the feasibility of fare gating platforms, placing a uniformed security resource on every train, and modifications to DART's fare policy, rider code of conduct and related policies, officials said.

Yahoo

Sep 4th, 2026

Dallas transit agency receives $70 million grant for light rail equipment.

Dallas transit agency receives $70 million grant for light rail equipment. David Lassen Fri, September 4, 2026 at 2:12 PM PDT DALLAS - Dallas Area Rapid Transit has received a $70 million federal grant to help replace aging light rail equipment. The funds from the Federal Transit Administration's Rail Vehicle Replacement Grant Program will go toward replacement of 53 light rail vehicles purchased more than 30 years ago. "This grant award complements the $25 million U.S. DOT Build grant award we received earlier this summer for platform modifications in anticipation of the new light-rail fleet," Trey Walker, DART interim executive vice president and chief development officer, said in a press release. "The grants generously awarded by the FTA support our Transform program and allow DART to reinvest in aging infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and innovative transit options for the coming decades." DART has issued a request for proposals for the new equipment, which is included in the agency's 20-year financial plan. The FTA awarded a total of $166 million this week under the Rail Vehicle Replacement Grant Program. Other grants went to Pittsburgh Regional Transit [see "Federal grant to help fund ..." Trains.com, Sept. 2, 2026] and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority [see "Federal grant to help SEPTA ...," Sept. 3, 2026].

Metro Magazine

Aug 31st, 2026

DART introduces dashboard to track ridership data.

DART introduces dashboard to track ridership data. The initial release represents the first phase of DART's efforts to expand access to ridership information. Additional dashboard features, data, and functionality will be introduced in future phases. August 31, 2026 2 min to read * DART has launched new public dashboards on their website to provide monthly ridership data for their various transit services. * These dashboards offer detailed insights into ridership patterns across different regions in DART's service area, enhancing transparency. * Future updates will expand dashboard functionalities and data, aiding service-area cities in making informed transit decisions with DART. *Summarized by AI The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) launched two dashboards on www.DART.org/RiderStats making monthly ridership data publicly available for the first time. The dashboards offer a detailed view of ridership across DART's bus, commuter rail, light rail, paratransit, and GoLink services, including data for communities throughout DART's service area. A separate dashboard which provides further light rail ridership detail is also available. The initial release represents the first phase of DART's efforts to expand access to ridership information. Additional dashboard features, data, and functionality will be introduced in future phases. Expanding ridership information. DART officials said the dashboards provide greater transparency for the public and city officials. The available data enables service-area cities to make real-time decisions about transit services in their cities in partnership with DART. "The development of these ridership dashboards brought together expertise and input from teams across DART to create a more accessible and transparent view of ridership information," said DART's Interim President/CEO David Leininger. "It's a testament to our collective commitment to showcasing DART as a valued partner in the economic and social landscape of North Texas." The dashboards supplement the quarterly ridership reports presented to the DART board by providing timely ridership information. Because data for the current fiscal year remains subject to updates and revisions, dashboard figures may change as additional information becomes available. The quarterly reports provide a comprehensive, contextualized overview of DART's ridership and will continue to be available on the agency's website. The ridership dashboards include the following features: Ad Loading... * FY 2025 and FY 2026 ridership comparisons. * Monthly, time of day, and day-of-week ridership data across all modes of transportation. * City-specific ridership and service area information along with system-wide transit data. * Ridership comparisons across DART Service Area Cities. * The data will be updated and published monthly with data from the previous month. Quick answers. The main purpose of the new dashboards is to make monthly ridership data publicly available for the first time, providing transparency and enabling service-area cities to make informed decisions about transit services. *Summarized by AI Ad Loading...

Progressive Railroading

Aug 25th, 2026

DART receives national innovation award, names Sparks audit officer.

DART receives national innovation award, names Sparks audit officer. Dallas Area Rapid Transport (DART) has received Metro magazine's 2026 Innovative Solutions Award in recognition of the DART GoPass(R) mobility platform for enabling transit agencies to provide more connected mobility solutions. Developed by DART in 2013, GoPass combines trip planning, fare payment, service information, rider notifications, fare capping and access to services such as microtransit, paratransit, bike sharing and scooters in a single app, DART officials said in a press release. GoPass is currently used by 14 transit agencies in the United States. The platform has received over 3 million downloads and supports more than 8 million active users each year. "This recognition reflects DART's long-standing commitment to innovation and to supplying technology that makes public transportation easier, more connected, and more convenient for riders," said Jeamy Molina, DART's EVP and chief communications officer. The annual Innovative Solutions Awards recognize transit agencies, technology providers and industry partners whose technologies and initiatives advance public transportation. DART has also named Mamatha Sparks chief audit officer. She succeeds Chris Koloc, who retired earlier this year. Reporting directly to the DART board, Sparks has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, government auditing and risk management. She will lead DART's efforts to modernize and bring transparency to the agency by guiding audit processes and creating effective departmental strategies, DART officials said. Sparks previously worked at the Dallas Office of the City Auditor.

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