error

Take the DART Customer Satisfaction Survey for a chance to win $500. Share us your thoughts!

logo
  • logo
  • Trip
      Trip Planning
      • Plan Your Trip
      • Service Alerts
      • Winter Weather
      • 41411 SMS Service
      • DART to Airports
  • Guide
      Transit and Use
      • Schedules and Maps
      • Transit Services
      • Bus Service
      • Rail System
      • Trinity Railway Express -TRE
      • GoLink
      • Paratransit Services
      • Dallas Streetcar
      • M-line Trolley
      • West Dallas Shuttle 
      • Park & Rides, Transit Centers & Transfer Locations
      • Vanpool
      Supporting Services
      • Accessibility
      • Mobility Ambassador Program
      • Bike to Work
      • Transit Education
      • Rider Assistance Program
      • Park and Rides
      Safety and Security
      • Passenger Guide to Safety and Security 
      • Get Help (Safe Place program)
  • Fares
      General Fares and Overview
      • Fares
      • GoPass Retail Locations
      • Citations and Policies
      • Discount GoPass® Tap Card
      • Reduced Fares
      • Group and Advance Sales Fares
      • Day Pass Voucher Application
      • DART Access
      • GoPass
  • About
      About DART
      • About DART
      • Board Members
      • CEO Engagement
      • Executive Staff 
      • DART Scorecard
      • DART Police
      • EEO & Cultural Engagement
      • Sustainability Program
      • DART Station Art
      • Fixed Route Schedule
      • Social Responsibility
      Public Access Information
      • Financial Transparency
      • Government Relations
      • Board Meetings
      • Community Meetings
      • Reports and Policy Information
      • The Public Information Act
      • Internal Audit
      • Legal Notices
      Plans, Projects, and Initiatives
      • Capital Projects
      • 2045 Transit System Plan
      • Mobility+ Program
      • Transit-Oriented Development 
      • Planning Studies and Reports
      News and Events
      • News Releases
      • Events
      Doing Business
      • Procurement
      • Transit Advertising
      • Vendor Management & Outreach
      • DART Property
      • Unsolicited Proposals
      • Photography & Filming
  • Careers
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • language
    Home About News and Events News Releases News Release Detail

DART News Release

arrow_back_ios Back to News Releases
Aug 18, 2014 | General
DFW Airport Station Connects DART to the World

Media Relations Contact:
Morgan Lyons
Mark A. Ball

August 18, 2014

Orange Line now direct between the airport and downtown

DFW Airport Station Connects DART to the World

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport are celebrating the opening of the last Orange Line segment to the new DFW Airport Station. The Aug. 18 opening means the country's longest light rail system links to the world's third-busiest airport.


Inaugural Train on Friday, August 15, 2014
High resolution JPG


Ribbon-cutting ceremonies on Friday, August 15, 2014
High resolution JPG

"Connecting DFW Airport by light rail makes Dallas a more competitive, more attractive destination for business and travelers," said Acting Federal Transit Administrator Therese McMillan. "It's part of a sustained partnership over decades that's bringing billions in investment, more jobs, and a better quality of life to North Texas. Congress should pass the President's GROW AMERICA Act so that we can bring long-term support to more projects like this one in communities across the country."

In videotaped remarks presented at the DART to DFW dedication luncheon, Texas Governor Rick Perry extended his congratulations for the opening of the Orange Line's newest station.

"It's a great day for the people of the 13 cities who are a part of the DART System who now have another convenient, affordable way to catch a flight, and for people coming to North Texas to easily get to a business meeting, a family event, or just take in some of our state's many attractions," Perry said.


DFW Airport built the station as part of its Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program while DART's contractors focused on the rail line extension. According to DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas, sharing construction duties allowed DART to open the station in mid-August, four months sooner than scheduled.

"We could not have achieved this rail opening early and under budget without the incredible partnership with DFW Airport," Thomas said. "Construction of the station and the Orange Line extension has been a true collaboration."


The 5-mile segment links newly renovated Terminal A and Belt Line Station, with continuing service to major regional destinations including Irving-Las Colinas, Dallas Market Center and downtown Dallas. With this opening, DFW Airport becomes the third-largest American airport with a direct rail connection to the city center.

"This is a momentous day for our customers and for DFW Airport, because passenger rail is a critical component to DFW's status as a top-tier international gateway," said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. "With the DART Orange Line connecting DFW to downtown Dallas, DFW is now on a par with global hub airports that have integrated rail, which is a major selling point for customers and conventions."


Former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison delivered the keynote address at DART's luncheon and shared stories of her legislative efforts alongside U.S. representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson and Pete Sessions.

"I can't tell you how many times I had the Secretary of Transportation say, 'Wow. We don't have another system in America that always comes in on time and under budget.' We're up there with New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia because we have a good record," Hutchison said.

In addition to Johnson and Sessions, Representatives Marc Veasey and Michael Burgess offered congratulations at the luncheon. Thomas also thanked Rep. Kenny Marchant for his support.

Creating Worldwide Connections
North Texas residents and visitors gain improved transit access to the airport and its growing roster of international and domestic destinations. Globe-trotting travelers have come to expect convenient public transportation to their destinations.

Regional leaders believe that light rail service from the airport to the rest of the DART Service Area will help attract everything from corporations to conferences. Access to the airport will be a great benefit for out-of-state and international students attending educational institutions like the University of Dallas, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas - all located along DART Rail.

Offering a Better Commute
DFW Airport is one of the region's major employment centers. The rail connection provides a convenient and cost-effective way to commute for the nearly 60,000 people who work there.

"Employees, as well as employers, really value this connectivity and it will make it possible for employers to grow their operations and their employee talent pool, and that's a good thing for the airport," Donohue said.

Providing Convenience and Value
Early morning and late night trains ensure passengers and employees can get to their flights, work or home. The first Orange Line train departing downtown Dallas arrives at DFW Airport Station at 3:50 a.m. The last train departs DFW Airport Station for downtown at 1:12 a.m. weekdays; 12:12 a.m. weekends. Details about the station are available at www.DART.org/DFWAirport.

-- 30 --


Sign Up for Alerts Just for You!

The best way to stay up to date on service alerts and other DART-related news and information is to register for My DART Updates.

Subscribe

Contact Us Today!

1401 Pacific Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202

call  214-979-1111

Customer Service Information is available 7 days a week : 5 AM to 12 AM

Holidays: 8 AM to 5 PM

Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

 

  1. Careers
  2. Contact
  3. Privacy Policy
  4. Legal
  5. Powered by Google Translate Translate
Hidden Utility Section
Search widget for navbar
Skip to Main
© 2025 Dallas Area Rapid Transit
  • DARTable
  • DARTdaily
  • DART Transform
arrow_upward