DART Gives Disabled The Finger

DART's Regional Fare "Correction": Another Burden on Disabled and Low-Income Riders

Posted by Shane Shipman – February 24, 2026

On February 23, 2026, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) announced regional fare adjustments that take effect March 1, 2026. The main change highlighted in their release is a reduction in the regular Regional Day Pass price from $12 to $9—a 25% decrease. This saves full-fare riders $3 per day, which is presented as a positive step for simplifying and improving regional travel, especially for things like TRE trips across the metro area.

But for reduced-fare riders—those who qualify because they are seniors 65+, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, qualifying youth/students/veterans—the reduced Regional Day Pass is increasing from $3 to $4.50. This is a 50% increase in cost for the group that typically depends most heavily on affordable transit to maintain independence, get to medical appointments, work, or simply get out of the house.

Key Fare Changes (Effective March 1, 2026):

• Regional Day Pass (Regular): Current $12.00 → New $9.00 (25% decrease, $3 savings per use)
• Reduced Regional Day Pass: Current $3.00 → New $4.50 (now exactly 50% of the new regular $9 price; previously a deeper discount)
• Regional 31-Day Pass (Regular): Remains $192
• Reduced Regional 31-Day Pass: Current $48 → New $96 (aligned to exactly 50% of regular)

DART explains this as a "correction" or alignment to make reduced fares consistently 50% off the base rate system-wide. The old $3 reduced day pass was an outlier (deeper than the standard 50% discount), so they're standardizing it.

This standardization sounds logical in theory, but it overlooks the real-world impact on vulnerable riders. Many people with disabilities rely on fixed incomes, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which averages around $994 per month federally in 2026. Others are on similar limited benefits or low earnings that keep them at or near 150% of the federal poverty level—roughly $1,995 per month for a single person. These budgets are already extremely tight, with every dollar allocated to essentials like rent, medications, food, utilities, and other necessities.

An extra $1.50 per regional day pass might seem small, but for frequent users—someone making daily or near-daily trips on the TRE for employment, healthcare, family visits, or to avoid isolation—it accumulates quickly. That's potentially $45 extra over a 30-day month, or more if trips are frequent. That amount could mean skipping a prescription refill, cutting back on groceries, or delaying a bill payment. For people without reliable car access or who face physical barriers to other options, this isn't a minor adjustment—it's a direct hit to mobility and quality of life.

Local DART services (buses, light rail) continue with reduced fares at 50% off standard rates, and the program remains accessible with proof like a disability award letter or Medicare card. Paratransit (door-to-door) had a separate small increase earlier (to $4 per one-way trip), but this regional fixed-route change is distinct. The point is that while the overall system keeps reduced fares, this specific "correction" raises costs for a subset of riders who were benefiting from a deeper discount on regional passes—exactly the people least equipped to absorb it.

Last summer in 2025, when DART proposed larger-scale changes—including significant paratransit fare increases (nearly doubling to $6 in initial plans) and service cuts—hundreds of riders, especially from the disabled community, attended public hearings. People shared firsthand accounts of how such policies threatened independence, increased isolation, and felt like deliberate barriers. The backlash was strong enough that DART revised many of the most severe proposals, scaling back paratransit hikes and cuts. That history proves community voices can influence decisions when they're heard in numbers.

This February 2026 regional fare adjustment has been quieter so far—no dedicated public hearings focused on it, and limited widespread discussion specifically about the reduced-fare increase. The announcement emphasizes the regular fare savings and "equity" through consistency, but it doesn't deeply address how the change disproportionately affects low-income and disabled riders.

What Can Riders Do?

• Provide direct feedback to DART: Email ServicePlanning@dart.org or use the contact/feedback forms on dart.org. Share how this specific increase impacts daily life and budgets.
• Participate in upcoming public input opportunities: A public hearing is set for March 24, 2026, at 6 p.m. at DART Headquarters (1401 Pacific Ave, Dallas – Akard Station). It's primarily about potential service implications from city withdrawal discussions (some cities have explored leaving DART), but open comment periods allow raising fare equity and access concerns. Additional community meetings (virtual and in-person) are scheduled through March—check dart.org/publichearing or the news section for dates, locations, and sign-up info.
• Connect with advocacy organizations: Groups like Disability Rights Texas, The Arc of Dallas-Fort Worth, or local transit equity advocates have experience pushing back on similar issues. They can offer guidance, help amplify stories, or connect you with others affected.
• Share your experience: Post in rider forums (e.g., Reddit's r/dart or r/Dallas), on social media, or here in comments. Visibility matters.

This isn't opposition to any fare changes or denial of budget challenges facing transit agencies. It's a call for genuine equity: When adjustments are made, they should prioritize protecting access for the most vulnerable rather than shifting extra costs onto them under the banner of "simplification." Reduced-fare riders aren't asking for special treatment beyond what's already policy—they're asking that changes don't erode the affordability that keeps transit viable for them.

If you're impacted by this (or know someone who is), your story and perspective are powerful. Does this "correction" truly promote fairness, or does it overlook the hardships it creates for disabled and low-income communities? Share your thoughts in the comments, or reach out if you'd like to discuss more.

This is a personal reflection based on DART's official February 23, 2026 news release and public information. For the most current details, visit dart.org or their news section.