Click on a question link to view the answer. Click again to hide the answer.
Q. Who came up with the idea of paid parking?
- A. The DART Board authorized a paid parking demonstration where residents outside the DART Service Area, in addition to riders who wish to have reserved parking, pay to park at Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station.
Q. Why is DART charging for parking?
- A. The revenue collected from fares amounts to less than 15% of DART's total operating costs. Most of the agency's operating budget comes from the 1% sales tax that residents and businesses within the service area pay to DART each time they make a purchase. Also, the number of non-residents using DART has continued to rise, and DART has increased service and parking to meet this added demand. This additional service presents an added expense, so DART is passing along some of these costs to non-residents in the form of a paid parking program.
Q. Who is eligible for a parking permit sticker?
- A. Any resident within the DART Service Area can request a parking permit sticker for their vehicle(s).
Q. When will Platinum Parking start registering residents?
- A. Beginning in March, Platinum Parking will be on hand at Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station to register residents for a parking permit sticker and answer questions. Platinum Parking staff are currently available on site at these stations from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Download the DART Resident Registration Form (PDF file opens in a new window). Completed form must be returned to a Platinum Parking representative.
Q. I have more than one car. How many permits can I get?
- A. You're entitled to request permits for every vehicle that you own; however, the specific vehicle must be present at the time of verification. Platinum Parking will write the vehicle's license plate number on each parking permit sticker.
Q. I own multiple residences. How do you determine eligibility?
- A. To be eligible, your primary residence must be within the DART Service Area. Riders with a primary residence outside the DART Service Area will be ineligible for a resident sticker and will be required to pay for parking.
Q. Do I qualify for free parking if my employer is in the DART Service Area?
- A. Free parking is granted based on residency--not employer location.
Q. I applied for a permit and verified my residency--now what do I do with the sticker?
- A. You must display your parking permit sticker on the lower, driver's side corner of the vehicle's windshield, just above your registration and inspection stickers.
Q. I don't live in Carrollton or Plano, but I use the parking lots at Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station. Do I have to pay?
- A. It depends on where you live. Residents of the following cities are eligible to apply for a free parking permit sticker: Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett and University Park. If you do not live in one of these cities--or if you have not yet applied for a sticker--you must pay to park.
Q. I'm just picking someone up at the station--do I have to pay?
- A. Motorists using the Kiss & Ride area for pick-up or drop-off will not be required to pay. Unattended vehicles in the Kiss & Ride area may be subject to a parking violation.
Q. I'm mobility impaired. How does this program affect me?
- A. The new program will not reduce the number of parking spaces designated for the mobility impaired, however the same residency rules apply. Residents who are mobility impaired must have a valid parking permit sticker to park at no charge in specially designated spaces. Non-residents must pay to park in spaces designated for the mobility impaired.
Q. How does Long-Term Daily Parking work?
- A. Long-Term Daily Parking costs $5 per 24-hour period and must be pre-paid. When you use the pay station, enter the number of days you intend to leave your vehicle parked at the station.
Q. Am I allowed to park on the streets or other areas outside of DART parking lots?
- A. No. The cities of Plano and Carrollton do not permit on-street parking around DART parking facilities. Parking on the street or in other public or private lots near DART facilities is strictly forbidden. Riders that park in unauthorized areas may be subject to tickets and/or towing.
Q. Can I park at Downtown Plano Station instead?
- A. No. DART parking is not available at Downtown Plano Station. Bush Turnpike Station is the next closest station with free parking.
Q. Where will the parking pay stations be located?
- A. Parking pay stations will be located in visible, convenient locations near rail platforms and bus services.
Q. What should I do if the pay station doesn't work?
- A. Both Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station will have multiple pay stations. In the unlikely event that none of the pay station machines are working at a particular station, Platinum Parking will be on hand to collect parking fees in person.
Q. I noticed that Special Event Parking costs more. What do you consider a "special event" and how will I know when one is happening?
- A. The State Fair of Texas is an example of a special event. Platinum Parking will have signage in place when special event rates are in effect, and DART will list special event days and hours on the DART website. Pay stations will be programmed so that you are automatically charged the $4 rate on special event days. Riders who have purchased monthly parking in advance of special events will not have to pay an additional fee.
Q. I'm a resident within the DART Service Area but haven't applied for a permit yet. I want to use the lot at Parker Road Station or North Carrollton/Frankford Station so I can ride DART to a special event. Can I get my permit the same day?
- A. No. Registration will not be provided, and permits will not be issued on the day of a special event. All residents must obtain their permit from Platinum Parking prior to the special event. Residents without a permit must pay to park at the special event rate of $4.
Q. Is the paid parking program in effect no matter the day of the week or the time?
- A. Yes. The rules will be enforced at Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station every day and at all times--day or night, weekday or weekend.
Q. How does Platinum Parking plan to enforce the paid parking program?
- A. Platinum Parking will patrol the parking lots at Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station during rail service hours. Vehicles must have a resident parking permit sticker, a monthly parking pass, a reserved parking pass or be parked in the stall number that the vehicle owner entered into the pay station. Any vehicle failing to meet these criteria will be considered in violation. Violators will be ticketed and assessed a fee of up to $50 per violation.
Q. What happens when I receive a parking violation?
Q. Who do I contact if I get towed or receive a parking violation?
- A. Platinum Parking. DART does not have any involvement with towing or parking violations.
Q. Who is Platinum Parking anyway?
- A. Platinum Parking is a professional parking management company headquartered in downtown Dallas with more than 100 parking facilities in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and New Orleans. Platinum Parking is also the contractor DART has tasked with managing the paid parking program. The DART Board has authorized Platinum Parking to collect parking fees and enforce the program. To learn more about the company, visit platinumparking.com.
Q. Does the paid parking program guarantee higher security?
- A. No. However, Platinum Parking ambassadors provide additional eyes and ears to communicate with DART Police and DART personnel.
Q. Does DART plan to expand the paid parking program?
- A. The DART Board may approve an expansion of the program at the new Northwest Plano Park & Ride, a facility that is scheduled to open on July 30. A final decision on this expansion will be made in early 2012.
Q. I don't see the answer to my question. How do I get more information?
- A. Just send us your question, and we'll be happy to answer it! Also, Platinum Parking will be on hand at Parker Road Station and North Carrollton/Frankford Station beginning in March to answer questions about the program. Platinum Parking also offers detailed program information at www.platinumparking.com.
Back to top
|