DALLAS, Aug 18, 2014/ — Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) today officially launched light rail passenger service connecting downtown Dallas to DFW Airport with the arrival of DART Orange Line trains into the DFW Airport Station.
The first train arrived at DFW at 3:50 AM with greeters from DFW and DART, culminating six years of partnership, planning and construction between the two entities to make the service a reality.
“This is a momentous day for our customers and for DFW Airport, because passenger rail is a critical component to DFW’s status as a top-tier international gateway,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “With the DART Orange Line connecting DFW to downtown Dallas, DFW is now on a par with global hub airports that have integrated rail, which is a major selling point for customers and conventions.”
“By adding five miles of rail to what was already the longest light rail system in North America, DART is connecting Dallas to the world through DFW Airport,” said Gary Thomas, President/Executive Director of Dallas Area Rapid Transit. “We’re proud to link the world’s third-busiest airport and its 61 million passengers to our light rail system, which offers convenient and economical public transit to Dallas and the 12 additional cities in the DART Service Area.”
The 5-mile segment which opened today links DFW Airport to DART’s Belt Line Station, with continuing service to major regional destinations including Irving-Las Colinas, Dallas Market Center and downtown Dallas. With this opening, DFW Airport becomes the third-busiest American airport with a direct rail connection to the city center.
The completion of the final segment of DART’s Orange Line to DFW Airport not only marks a major milestone for the Airport and DART, it also opens a new era of connectivity for customers and Airport employees.
DART’s DFW Airport Station is located less than a 3-minute walk to the Terminal A entry doors and ticketing hall. The walkway between the terminal and the DART station features landscaping and partial cover to protect customers from the elements. High-speed, high-capacity elevators will deliver customers to the Terminal A ticketing hall on the concourse level.
Once inside Terminal A, customers can easily access American Airlines ticketing and baggage check, TSA security checkpoints and DFW’s Skylink people mover system (inside of the secured area) to connect to any of DFW’s five terminals. Customers of other airlines with carry-on baggage can use a multi-airline kiosk in the elevator vestibule at Terminal A to check in for their flight. Passengers with baggage to check on other airlines can hop on DFW’s Terminal Link shuttle buses for an easy transfer to their desired terminal.
DFW Airport also serves as one of the region’s major employment centers, which means the rail connection provides a convenient and cost-effective way to commute for the nearly 60,000 people who work at DFW.
Early morning and late night trains will ensure passengers and employees can get to their flights, work or home. The first Orange Line train departing downtown Dallas arrives at DFW Airport Station at 3:50 a.m. The last train departs the DFW Airport station at 1:12 a.m. on weekdays, and 12:12 a.m. on weekends.
