How to ride transit in North Texas
Here are some tips and tricks on how to navigate and pay, in a convenient and safe way
How to pay
DART fares are based on time rather than number of rides or distance.
3-hour pass: $3
Day pass: $6
Tap to pay
You can tap to pay for any train or bus. Tapping multiple times won’t double charge.
Train
Find a tap to pay station (like in the image above) and tap any time before you board the train.
If a fare checker asks for proof of payment, tell them you used tap to pay and present your card or mobile wallet. They can scan it and see if you paid. These terminals are usually located on the ground floor before the stairs/elevator at elevated stations and directly on the waiting platform for other stations.
Bus
When you board the bus there will be a pay station on your right. Tap with your card until it turns green, then you’re good to sit down.
GoPass
GoPass is DART’s mobile app for payment and navigation, it’s also used for their on-demand service GoLink.
Apple download link
Android download link
In the app, buy the pass that you need (3-hour pass, day pass, etc.) then press View Ticket. When the fare checker asks for proof of payment show them this ticket and hold your thumb on the screen, this will change the color and play an animation so they know it’s not a screenshot.
Example Trip
Let’s say you’re traveling from Akard Station in downtown Dallas to Walnut Hill Station so you can go rock climbing and then get a burger. Here’s how you make that trip for $6, assuming you don’t rush home in 3 hours.
Tap to pay
Tap at the pay station before boarding the train at Akard
Get off at Walnut Hill and enjoy yourself
When returning, tap to pay before walking up the stairs or taking the elevator
Show your card/mobile payment if asked
GoPass
Buy a day pass
Activate the day pass
Show the ticket and hold your finger on the screen if asked
How to Navigate
DART provides schedules and live location data, so navigation is easy with most apps. Some examples are Google Maps, Apple Maps, GoPass, and Transit. You can pick your favorite or try them all and see which is best for you.
Navigation
Google maps / Apple maps
Search your destination
Press the train to switch to transit mode
Select the route that’s best for you
Transit layer
GoPass and Transit are built for for transit so they will show stops, and routes by default. For Google/Apple maps you will need to enable the transit layer to see these.
Apple: Press the map icon down-right of the search bar → select transit
Google: Press the layer icon down-right of the search bar (2 overlapping diamonds) → select transit
Now get out there and explore!
Excellent post, thank you!