DALLAS, November 13, 2026 – Monday, November 16, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will launch Operation Access, a 90-day initiative that brings a visible uniformed presence to key rail stations, improves fare compliance, and supports a safer, more welcoming experience for customers across the light rail system. 

Beginning next week, riders will see DART Police officers, Fare Enforcement Officers, and Transit Security Officers across the system. As part of the initiative, all customers boarding at Pearl/Arts District Station and West End Station will pass through barriers and participate in mandatory fare validation before boarding. 

The effort is designed to improve safety and increase fare compliance while helping DART better understand how customers move through the system as the agency evaluates a future fare-gated system. 

"At its core, Operation Access is about creating the transit experience our riders deserve," said Chief Charles Cato, DART Chief of Police. "When customers see a consistent security presence, know that fares are being checked, and feel confident that everyone is following the same rules, it creates a safer and more comfortable environment for everyone. This first phase allows us to deliver those benefits immediately while gathering the information we need to plan for the future." 

Customers using Pearl/Arts District and West End stations may experience brief delays during peak travel periods as fare inspections are conducted. DART has designed the process to move riders through checkpoints efficiently, and any additional wait times are expected to be minimal. 

In addition to the downtown locations, uniformed enforcement teams will be positioned at Bachman, Forest Lane, LBJ/Skillman, MLK Jr., and 8th & Corinth stations. Together, these stations serve as critical entry and exit points for customers traveling to and from downtown. By placing officers and security personnel at these locations, DART creates a continuous presence along key rail corridors, providing visibility and support, and code of conduct and fare compliance for riders throughout their journey. 

Operation Access is also an important step in DART's long-term strategy for modernizing fare enforcement. 

The information gathered during Operation Access will help DART determine how fare-gated access could be implemented more broadly across the light rail system in the future. 

"Operation Access allows us to take meaningful action today while planning responsibly for tomorrow," Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr., DART President & CEO said. "We're making the system safer and improving fare compliance right now, and at the same time we're collecting critical data that will help shape the next generation of rail security and customer experience at DART."

Additional information:

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides modern public transit services designed for fast, comfortable, and economical travel. The agency operates light rail, Trinity Railway Express, regional rail, bus routes, GoLink on-demand service, and paratransit, moving more than 171,000 passengers daily across a 700-square-mile, 12-city region including Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park.