Over​view​

Scope and Content

Collection consists of reports generated by DART and the Dallas Transit System from 1971 to 1987.

The Dallas Transit System (DTS) was a publicly owned mass transit service operated by the City of Dallas from 1964 to 1988. DTS was formed when privately owned transportation companies were consolidated.  In addition to municipal bus service, DTS also managed Surface Transportation, Inc., or Surtran.   Formed in 1972, Surtran was a joint venture between the City of Dallas and the City of Fort Worth and was designed to provide a link between D/FW Airport and the two cities.  Surtran controlled the exclusive rights to pick up passengers from D/FW and deliver them to hotels and convention centers in the D/FW area.   In 1981, the City of Fort Worth ended its association with Surtran, leaving Dallas as Surtran's sole municipal support.  ​Due to falling revenues and increased debt, the City of Dallas declined to continue funding Surtran, resulting in its closure.  On October 31, 1985, Surtran ceased operations.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was created in 1983 as a regional replacement for DTS when 58 percent of voters in 14 Dallas County cities cast ballots in favor of a one-cent local tax to help fund regional transportation.  Revenue from the voter-approved funds as well as investment income, fare revenue, and other sources fund the operation and continued development of DART's transit system plan.  DART opened the first modern light rail system in the Southwest in 1996.

Organization

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Access​

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from the Dallas Municipal Archives. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.

Citation

DART and the Dallas Transit System, 1971-1987 (Box <x>, Folder <y>), Dallas Municipal Archives

Related Material

Collection 1997-025—DART Light Rail Opening, 1996

Index Terms

Dallas -- Texas -- History
Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Container List