DART Green Line

The DART Green Line is a light rail transit line operated by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency that serves the northern suburbs and downtown Dallas. Opened on December 6, 2010, the line extends approximately 24.2 miles from the Denton County communities of Carrollton and Lewisville southward through Farmers Branch, Irving, and Coppell before terminating at Union Station in downtown Dallas. The Green Line represents a significant expansion of the DART rail network beyond the original Red and Blue lines, providing transit connectivity to growing suburban employment centers, residential areas, and retail districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The line consists of 18 stations and operates daily service with trains running at intervals of 15 minutes during peak periods and 20 minutes during off-peak hours.

History

The DART Green Line project began development in the early 2000s as part of a regional transit expansion strategy designed to reduce traffic congestion on Dallas-area highways and provide alternative transportation options for commuters in the rapidly growing northern suburbs. The Federal Transit Administration approved preliminary engineering for the project in 2006, with funding secured through a combination of federal New Starts grants, local tax revenues from the DART service area, and regional partnerships. Construction commenced in 2007, with initial segments completed and tested throughout 2009 and 2010. The line officially opened to public service on December 6, 2010, with ceremonial first-ride events and free transit passes distributed to encourage initial ridership. The opening was a major milestone for the agency, marking the first substantial light rail expansion since the original Red Line began operations in June 1996.

The Green Line's development required extensive coordination between DART, the cities of Dallas, Irving, Coppell, Carrollton, and Lewisville, Denton County, and state and federal transportation agencies. The project required careful planning around existing infrastructure, including Interstate 635 and the Dallas North Tollway, as well as coordination with BNSF Railway freight corridors that run parallel to portions of the route. Early planning documents identified the corridor as a critical growth area for the metroplex, with projections indicating significant population increases and job growth in the Irving, Coppell, and Carrollton areas. The initial capital cost of the project exceeded $2.4 billion, with ongoing operational costs shared among participating municipalities and the DART service area.

In 2026, DART secured a $20 million federal grant to construct a new operations and maintenance facility in support of the Green Line and broader system expansion. The grant reflects continued federal investment in the DART rail system as the agency plans further extensions of the Green Line corridor.

Geography

The DART Green Line runs in a generally north-south configuration through the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, beginning at the Carrollton/Frankford Road terminus in northern Dallas County—near the border with Denton County—and concluding at Union Station in downtown Dallas. The northern terminus at Carrollton/Frankford Road serves as a transfer point for connections to the DART Red Line, making it one of the key intermodal nodes on the system. From Carrollton, the line runs south through Farmers Branch, with stops at Frankford Road and Farmers Branch Station, serving commercial and residential districts along that corridor before crossing into Irving.

Through Irving, the Green Line serves several stations including Belt Line, Carpenter, and the Irving Convention Center, providing access to the city's growing office and entertainment districts. The route continues south through Las Colinas before entering the City of Dallas, where it serves stations at Bachman, Inwood/Love Field, Market Center, and Victory Park, before turning toward downtown and terminating at Union Station. Union Station is a major intermodal hub where Green Line passengers connect to the Red Line, Blue Line, and regional Amtrak and Trinity Railway Express services.

The physical infrastructure of the Green Line includes elevated segments, at-grade sections, and tunnel portions depending on local topography and urban development. Much of the line through Irving and Las Colinas operates on elevated guideway, carrying trains over residential neighborhoods and major roadways. Within downtown Dallas, the line transitions into the existing downtown light rail tunnel, connecting to Union Station alongside other DART rail lines. Stations throughout the corridor were designed with pedestrian access and weather protection in mind, and all are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Park-and-ride facilities are available at several suburban stations, allowing commuters from areas not directly on the rail corridor to access transit service by car.

Stations

The Green Line's 18 stations span four municipalities and two counties, running from the northern terminus at Carrollton/Frankford Road to Union Station in downtown Dallas. The stations, listed from north to south, are as follows: Carrollton/Frankford Road, Frankford Road, Farmers Branch, Royal Lane, Walnut Hill/Denton, Bachman, Inwood/Love Field, Market Center, Victory, West End, and Union Station, along with intermediate stops through the Irving/Las Colinas segment including Belt Line, Carpenter, Las Colinas Urban Center, and Irving Convention Center stations.

Several stations offer park-and-ride lots with hundreds of spaces, particularly at the northern suburban end of the line where driving is the primary access mode for many riders. Inwood/Love Field station is notable for its proximity to Dallas Love Field Airport, providing a transit option for air travelers connecting to downtown. The Irving Convention Center station serves the Irving Convention Center and the broader Las Colinas Urban Center, one of the largest planned business districts in the Dallas suburbs. Market Center station connects riders to the Dallas Market Center complex, a major wholesale and design trade hub, and offers connections to the Orange Line.

Transportation

The DART Green Line operates as part of the broader Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, which includes the Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines along with extensive bus routes serving the metroplex. Green Line trains run daily from approximately 5:00 a.m. until midnight, with service frequencies adjusted by time of day and day of week. During morning and evening peak commute periods, trains run at 15-minute intervals; mid-day and late evening service extends to 20-minute intervals. Weekend service runs at consistent intervals throughout the day, providing access to recreational, shopping, and entertainment destinations along the corridor.

Fares follow the standard DART pricing structure, with options for single rides, day passes, monthly passes, and reduced pricing for seniors, persons with disabilities, and students. The line integrates with other DART services through transfer policies that allow passengers to board connecting bus or rail services within a specified time window. Union Station is the primary transfer hub, where Green Line passengers can access the Red Line, Blue Line, and regional Amtrak and Trinity Railway Express services. The Market Center station also provides connections to downtown Dallas bus routes and the Orange Line. Parking at Green Line stations varies significantly: northern suburban stations have extensive park-and-ride lots, while downtown and near-downtown stations rely on street parking and commercial garages.

Average weekday ridership on the Green Line has fluctuated since opening. Initial ridership projections were not consistently met in the line's early years due to a combination of economic conditions, the growth of remote work, and the persistent reliance on personal vehicles in suburban North Texas. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches scheduled at AT&T Stadium and events in downtown Dallas, is expected to generate a significant surge in Green Line ridership, and DART has been included in regional transportation plans for the tournament to help move fans and visitors between venues and downtown hubs.

Future Expansion

DART has been studying a southbound extension of the Green Line that would add new stations serving the Deep Ellum neighborhood and adjacent areas south of downtown Dallas. The proposed expansion includes up to four new stops, with three located in the Deep Ellum corridor, connecting the existing downtown rail network to one of Dallas's most active entertainment and arts districts. The extension is part of DART's broader long-range planning effort to extend rail coverage into underserved urban neighborhoods and reduce car dependence for trips between inner-city destinations.

The $20 million federal grant secured in 2026 for a new operations and maintenance facility will support the expanded fleet and infrastructure requirements associated with future Green Line growth. DART's leadership transition—the agency was searching for a new CEO as of early 2026—is expected to shape the pace and priorities of these capital projects in the years ahead.

Attractions and Destinations

The DART Green Line provides transit access to a wide range of regional attractions, employment centers, and entertainment venues throughout its service corridor. In the northern suburbs, riders can reach shopping and dining at Coppell-area commercial districts and the Las Colinas Urban Center in Irving. The Irving Convention Center station offers direct access to the Irving Convention Center, a major regional venue for conferences and trade shows. Within downtown Dallas, Union Station connects Green Line riders to the Dallas Arts District, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Dallas World Aquarium. The Market Center station provides access to the Dallas Market Center, the world's largest wholesale trade and design complex.

Several hotels are located near Green Line stations, particularly around Union Station and the Irving Convention Center, making the line useful for business travelers and tourists who don't want to rent a car. The Inwood/Love Field station's proximity to Dallas Love Field means the Green Line can serve as a direct link between the airport and downtown Dallas, a useful option for travelers arriving on Southwest Airlines flights.

Educational institutions and medical facilities are also accessible via the Green Line. Several hospitals and health care facilities located near line stations serve the northern Dallas and Irving areas. The concentration of corporate offices and employment parks in Las Colinas, Coppell, and Carrollton—home to regional and national headquarters for companies across multiple industries—has made the line a relevant commute option for white-collar workers, even as remote work has reduced overall ridership system-wide.

Residential development near Green Line stations has grown since the line opened, with transit-oriented development projects bringing mixed-use buildings with residential units, retail, and office space in walkable proximity to several stations. These projects reflect a broader shift in the Dallas development market toward urban-style housing near transit, though the pace of TOD along the Green Line has been slower than along some segments of the Red and Blue lines in denser urban areas.

The Green Line connects to regional bus services through DART's broader network, giving riders access to areas not directly served by rail through timed transfers at key stations. Bus routes feeding into Green Line stations provide last-mile connections for residents whose homes or workplaces sit beyond practical walking distance from the rail corridor.