The State Fair of Texas returns on Friday, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is prepared for its busiest week of the year with enhanced service on its train and bus lines.
DART serves approximately 250,000 riders every day, but this figure is likely to increase considerably once the fair opens.
Two million are anticipated at Fair Park
Over the course of many weeks, the event is expected to attract more than two million visitors. According to DART spokesperson Jeamy Molina, the service sees a “huge increase and influx of riders during the State Fair of Texas” every year.
The biggest spike usually occurs on the second Saturday of October, when the annual Red River Rivalry football game between Texas and Oklahoma is played at the Cotton Bowl.
“On days like the Texas-OU game, we have an increase of over 120,000 riders going directly to the fairgrounds,” Molina informed us.
New shuttle buses were added this year
To alleviate overcrowding, DART is adding trains, boosting frequency, and introducing a new shuttle bus service. The buses will depart from five selected DART stations and transport passengers directly to Lot 8 at Fair Park.
“We know that we want more frequency,” Molina stated. “The addition of the new shuttle directly to Lot 8 at Fair Park—we hope to alleviate some of the pressure of trains coming directly into the State Fair.”
The enhanced transit plan begins on Friday, the same day the exhibition opens.
