DART News Release
Media Relations Contact: April 04, 2001 Public Hearing Tuesday, April 10 DART Proposes Streamlined Pass and Ticket Programs DART has scheduled a Public Hearing for April 10 to discuss proposed changes in its fare structure.
Day Pass Expands Since about half of all DART customers buy regular monthly passes, most won't notice any change with the new fare policy. The biggest difference involves the sale of Day Passes on buses and the elimination of transfer slips traditionally distributed to bus riders who need to change to other bus routes or trains to reach their final destinations. With the new fare policy, bus riders paying cash fares and wishing to make transfers would purchase a Day Pass when they board the first bus. The Day Pass is good for unlimited rides on DART buses and trains until 3 a.m. the next morning. New Discounted Fare Still a Bargain Although DART's local Monthly Pass for seniors and students would increase from $10 to $15 dollars, riders still would realize a 66-percent savings compared to local cash fares and an 83-percent savings compared to premium or two-zone cash fares. Paratransit Customers With Disabilities Ride Bus and Rail Free As part of the proposed fare change, certified paratransit customers with disabilities would ride fixed route bus and rail services for free, just by presenting their DART Paratransit identification cards. Presently these customers must purchase a ticket or pass to ride buses and trains. Corporate Customers Get a Break DART proposes the elimination of the $2 discount employers currently receive on Monthly Passes, and the introduction of a discounted annual pass for businesses. For many businesses, the convenient DART employeE-Pass -- an annual pass good for unlimited rides on buses and trains -- is a great employee benefit. More than 40 companies and 20,000 employees currently use the employeE-Pass. employeE-Passes will be available for as little as $30 per employee per year. To encourage member city government agencies to purchase the employeE-Pass, DART will offer those organizations a 25-percent discount. Next Steps DART's Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on the proposed fare changes at its April 24 meeting. Changes would become effective later this year. Persons with questions or comments about the proposed fare policy change may call DART Community Affairs, 214-749-2543. -- 30 -- |
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