The Dallas Streetcar is a modern streetcar system in Dallas, Texas that connects downtown Dallas with the Oak Cliff neighborhood across the Trinity River. The Streetcar began service in April 2015 and currently operates the M-Line along a 2.8 mile route. Riders can pay for the Streetcar using several different methods including purchasing single fares, day passes, and annual passes. The Streetcar is owned and operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and funding for operations and expansion comes from a variety of sources.
How much does the Dallas Streetcar cost to ride?
The Dallas Streetcar uses the same fare system and payment methods as buses and light rail operated by DART. Fares must be paid when boarding and rides are valid for up to 2 hours after paying.
Single Fare
– $2.50 for a Local Fare
– $5 for a Regional Fare
– Discounted fares are available for seniors 65+, Medicare recipients, children ages 5-14, and students.
Day Pass
– $6 for a Local Day Pass
– $12 for a Regional Day Pass
Annual Passes
– Local Annual Pass – $1,152
– Regional Annual Pass – $2,304
Passes allow unlimited rides within specified zones during the pass period. Annual Passes can be paid all at once or in monthly installments.
What payment methods can be used?
The Dallas Streetcar accepts several forms of contactless payment in addition to cash.
GoPass Mobile App
The GoPass mobile app allows you to purchase fares and passes directly on your smartphone and use your phone to tap and ride. You can set up an account, store payment information, and manage your passes on the app.
Contactless Credit or Debit Cards
Cards with contactless payment technology can be tapped on the ticket validators when boarding instead of using cash. Any credit or debit card with the contactless symbol will work.
DART Cards
Reusable DART cards can be purchased and loaded with money to tap and ride like a contactless credit card. Cards can be reloaded at ticket vending machines located at all Streetcar and DART stations.
Cash
The Streetcar fareboxes accept cash payments including bills and coins. However, riders will need to obtain a reusable ticket upon payment to tap when boarding.
Where can tickets and passes be purchased?
There are a number of options for riders to purchase single fare tickets, day passes, and longer term passes for the Streetcar:
Ticket Vending Machines
Machines located at all Streetcar stations allow you to purchase single fare tickets, day passes, and reloadable DART cards. Passes can also be loaded onto a GoPass mobile ticket.
GoPass Mobile App
Single fares and day passes can be purchased directly through the GoPass app. Longer term passes must be purchased at other locations.
Online
DART passes can be purchased on the DART website and accessed on a GoPass mobile ticket or DART card.
By Mail
Annual Passes can be purchased by mail using the mail order form on dart.org.
In Person
Passes can be purchased at the DART Headquarters Customer Service Center and other select locations. Visit dart.org for locations.
Who currently pays for the Dallas Streetcar?
The Dallas Streetcar is owned and operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit or DART. DART is funded through a 1% sales tax levied within its member cities including Dallas, Plano, Richardson and others. The Streetcar is considered part of the larger public transit system that DART manages and oversees.
The initial capital costs to build the Streetcar were funded through a combination of sources:
Funding Source | Amount |
---|---|
Federal Transit Administration grant | $23 million |
North Central Texas Council of Governments regional toll revenue | $42 million |
City of Dallas bonds | $29 million |
DART funds | $25 million |
In addition, the operations and maintenance costs of $2.8 million per year are funded by DART as part of their annual operating budget which primarily comes from the 1% sales tax.
How else could the Dallas Streetcar be funded?
While the existing Streetcar is funded through DART as part of their transit system, there are other models that could support funding the operations and future expansions:
Transportation Development Credits
TDCs are federal funds that can be used as local match money for transit projects. DART has the ability to leverage TDCs to pay for up to 80% of eligible project costs.
Tax Increment Financing
A TIF district around Streetcar routes captures increased property tax revenue generated near stations to put towards transit. Portland used this for their streetcar with great success.
Business Improvement Districts
A BID allows businesses near Streetcar routes to impose an additional tax or fee to support transit serving those businesses. The fees are paid by commercial properties specifically benefitting from the system.
Advertising and Sponsorships
Selling naming rights to stations and advertising space on Streetcars, stations, and rights of way generates revenue from the private sector to support operations.
Fares
While fares cover only a small % of overall costs, higher fares do generate more revenue that can be used to expand service. Demand analysis helps strike the right fare price balance.
Conclusion
The Dallas Streetcar provides important transit access in the heart of Dallas but requires significant funding for operations, maintenance, and expansions. While currently funded by DART, other funding mechanisms can provide additional revenue sources to grow the system in the future. Finding the right funding mix will rely on stakeholders working together to find creative solutions that maximize existing revenue streams.