A new collaboration between Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the ridesharing app Lyft means North Texas travelers have a great new way to begin, continue, or end their trip.
DART covers 700 square miles with a system of buses and trains connecting residents to major work, play, healthcare, and educational destinations. However, customers sometimes need a convenient way to start or end their trip. That’s where ride sharing services like Lyft come in.
Lyft is a mobile app that connects passengers in need of a ride with nearby drivers. Simply download the app for iPhone or Android, and then request a ride with the tap of a button. A friendly driver picks up the customer at their location within minutes. All payment is handled through the app using a saved credit card. Safety is a top priority for Lyft, and the firm has implemented strict safety criteria to protect the community. Lyft launched in June 2012 and is now in more than 150 cities across the country.
The Lyft app can be accessed through DART’s GoPass mobile ticketing application in the “Travel Tools” section. Just select “Connect 2 Car” in that section.
Lyft is making an introductory offer to DART customers. They can get $5 off their first 10 Lyft rides by using the promotional code, “DART” in the ‘payment’ section of the app when requesting a ride.
Transit customers can use the GoPass app to plan a transit trip and purchase a DART pass before arriving at the station or stop.
“We’re pleased to work with Lyft. Our customers want choices,” DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas said. “If we’re going to stay relevant as a transportation provider we have to offer options so they can make a complete trip whether it’s for work or fun. Lyft is a great way to help them begin or end their trip if they’re not right next to a DART stop or station.”
"When people have reliable, affordable alternatives to driving alone, they're more likely to leave their cars at home," said Emily Castor, Lyft's Director of Transportation Policy. "We believe public transit and ridesharing are the perfect match. Many passengers already use Lyft to get the last mile to or from transit stations, and we're excited to partner with a forward-thinking agency like DART to make that even easier for Dallas residents."
DART also is collaborating with the car sharing service ZipCar and the ride sharing app Uber to help its customers make a complete trip. These collaborations make it easier for travelers who begin or end their trips in places not easily served by DART to use a train or bus for the longest portion of their trip. Transit agencies across the country are trying to solve the “first mile/last mile” riddle.
That trend's already is developing. In cities across the country, 25 percent of Lyft passengers use the platform to connect to public transit. By closing the gap between transit stations and the doorstep, Lyft expands mobility for all and makes DART easier than ever to reach.
