There are several public transportation options in Dallas, TX. Cab or shuttle services are abundant in the DFW metroplex, but the main public transportation in Dallas is DART or the Dallas Area Rapid Transit.
You can travel in Dallas and surrounding suburbs very economically.
Taxis & Shuttles
Although there are several independent taxi services throughout the DFW area, here is a short list of recommended and established cab and shuttle companies.
SuperShuttle: 972-615-2410
If you do not mind sharing a ride from the airport, this is an economical way to leave DFW airport, especially if your destination is an area hotel. If you opt for a more luxurious ride you can upgrade from a shuttle to a private business class sedan with a chauffeur.
Shuttle service from DFW to downtown Dallas: starts at $17.00 per person (depending on final destination)
You could get the private ride: an ExecuCar Sedan Service that allows up to 4 passengers for the same trip for around $59.00.
Cowboy Cab Company 214-428-0202
This cab company has been servicing the Dallas area since 1985, with over 300 taxicabs.
Yellow Cab Company 214-424-6262
One of Dallas' oldest taxi companies, Yellow Cab operates 1,000 + taxicabs. They also offer full size sedans and vans, limousines, and bus transportation services.
Cab service from DFW to downtown Dallas: approx $45.00
TRE (Trinity Railway Express)
http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org
Another public option for transportation from the DFW airport is the TRE (Trinity Railway Express) With routes both to Dallas and Ft Worth, Texas this is another economical way to get to your destination. The TRE is a partnership between DART and the T (Fort Worth's transit agency) that joins the Dallas Union Station to the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center.
You can get a Premium Day Pass for the TRE for $5.00.
Whether you are a visitor to Dallas, or a resident, traveling from point A to point B in Dallas traveling has never been easier, if you use DART.
DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has evolved from a company that just ran streetcars, the Dallas Terminal Railway and Union Depot Company, to a multi-faceted transportation system that employees not only buses, but also utilizes light rail, HOV lanes, as well as a partnership with Ft Worth's transit agency to give Dallasites an economical way to travel in the DFW area. Dart even offers Vanpool service that allows up to 14 people to share the monthly cost of service collectively. Another service offered is the DART Carpool service, this free service, is a region wide computerized system that matches people who live and work nearby with others that have similar work schedules and want to carpool or vanpool.
Can you DART around Dallas?
The best way to find out if you can use DART for your travel plans in Dallas is to use their on-line trip planner. http://tripplan.dart.org/hiwire This site will allow you to plan and print out your travel itinerary. All you need is your trip beginning address, and your destination address. If you do not have internet access, or need clarification on the information you can always call DART Customer Service at 214-979-1111 for complete information.
Already out and about in Dallas, and need some DART information? You can access DART information if you have any internet-enabled mobile device. Just use http://m.dart.org to find out either the next scheduled bus/train at a specific stop or to find out point to point schedules for your route and your stops.
Park and Ride
Suburban commuters can use one of the many Park and Ride locations scattered in the 12 surrounding cities that participate in the DART program, Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano and University Park.
DART Rail (light rail)
Currently the DART Rail System provides service to destinations in Dallas, Garland, Plano and Richardson. Today there are two rail lines that transport commuters across the DFW area, the Red line, and the Blue line.
The Red line runs northwest to southwest. This line connects Plano, Texas to the Westmoreland Station located in West Oak Cliff.
The Blue line runs northeast to southeast. Garland, Texas is connected with the South Oak Cliff location in Dallas.
Two additional rail lines are currently under construction and when these expansions are completed Dallas and the surrounding communities will have a mass transit system to be envied.
The Green line will run Northwest/Southeast linking Carrollton to Pleasant Grove. The proposed completion date on this line is December 2010, but parts will open as early as September 2009.
The Orange line is considered the Northwest Corridor. This line will connect the DFW airport with downtown Dallas. Although the completion date for this line is not until 2013, once completed this will be a major advantage for those trying to go from the DFW airport to downtown Dallas locations.
Four stations that all four rail lines stop at increase the rail advantage to give mass transits commuters unlimited opportunities to visit almost any location in the DFW area.
Bus System
Even without the light rail system in Dallas, the bus system in Dallas is impressive. With over 700 vehicles at their disposal, Dallas maintains 12,322 bus stops throughout the metroplex.
The bus route number indicates what type of bus you are boarding.
1 185 = Local Bus These buses travel within the Dallas metropolitan (downtown) area only.
202 283 = Express Buss These buses service suburban transit centers to downtown Dallas.
301 385 = Suburban Bus Suburban buses service the immediate suburb with stops at the local transit centers.
400 488 = Crosstown Bus These routes service customers that want to bypass the downtown area.
502 583 = Rail Station Bus Station buses serve the rail stations and neighboring areas.
801 883 = Shuttle & FLEX Routes This is a special service that allows flexibility when possible to allow curbside service.
DART FARES
Riding DART is the most economical ways of getting around Dallas. Even if you only occasionally use DART the maximum cost for a day's riding could be as low as $5.00. And that amount is if you opt for the Premium ticket that give you unlimited rides on all the DART options available until 3:00am on the following day. As a single ride, you can ride DART for as little as $1.50 or $.75 if you qualify for Reduced rates.
DART offers 7 Day Passes as well as Monthly Passes that can save you more money. Annual passes are available if your employer is signed up.
DART Extras
There are some additional services that DART provides for different sectors of the community.
Paratransit service is a van service for disabled customers which is offered free to certified paratransit-eligible riders. Discounted fares for senior citizens age 65 or older (with a valid DART photo ID), non-paratransit certified persons with disabilities (with valid DART photo ID), and Medicare card holders are also offered.
As more commuters decide to "go green" and improve their health regime, accommodations for DART riders with bikes has become a new addition to DART buses and trains. Bike racks have been added to most of the DART buses so that health conscience riders can bike to their bus stop. Bike riders will be happy to know that the light rail system at DART is also being updated to accommodate riders with bikes. The new SLRV (Super Light Rail Vehicles) replacing the 115 LRV (Light Rail Vehicles) will have low-floor inserts that will allow passengers with disabilities - plus those with strollers, or bicycles to step or roll directly onto the trains without using mechanical lifts.
Whatever your economic climate, you will be able to maneuver around Dallas. I myself, having lived in this area most of my life, have used each of the options listed above.