FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DALLAS — Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is advancing a major new security initiative focused on strengthening safety, increasing fare compliance and enforcing DART’s Rider Code of Conduct across the light rail system.

The first phase, Operation Access, will be the largest coordinated security engagement in DART’s history. The 90-day demonstration is expected to begin in late fall and continue into the winter, initially focusing on Bachman, MLK Jr., Forest Lane, 8th & Corinth and White Rock stations. The locations were selected based on incident data and their ability to provide coverage across rail lines entering and exiting downtown Dallas.

A controlled access pilot will be introduced at specific stations. The goal is to simulate a fare-gated system at the stations with the highest rates of fare evasion.

“Safety is fundamental to everything we do at DART,” said David Leininger, Interim President & CEO. “Operation Access significantly increases our visible security presence while allowing us to gather the data necessary to determine what works and where we need to invest next. Every customer should be able to ride DART safely, comfortably and with confidence.”

Teams consisting of DART Police Officers, Fare Enforcement Officers and Transit Security Officers will conduct fare inspections and Code of Conduct enforcement at designated control points and aboard trains. The goal is to establish zero tolerance for fare evasion at the highest-incident locations while reinforcing expectations for safe and respectful behavior throughout the system.

“We have reduced crime against persons this year by 21%, but any crime on our system is unacceptable,” said DART Board Chair Randall Bryant. “The DART Board approved $35 million for a camera system overhaul and improved cleaning and another $32 million for diversion programs to reduce repeat offenders on the system. Operation Access builds on those investments by putting resources where the data tells us they are needed most.”

DART will use the 90-day demonstration to gather data and evaluate enforcement; staffing, passenger flow and technology needs to help shape future security investments.

The second phase will be briefed to the DART Board on October 13 and will include a comprehensive review of the feasibility of fare gating rail platforms, placing a uniformed security resource in the first car of every train, and potential modifications to DART’s fare policy, Rider Code of Conduct and related policies.