Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s new Silver Line is a 26‑mile commuter rail project - not just another light rail line.
Stretching from Plano to DFW Airport and covering seven North Texas cities (Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, and Plano), it's designed for longer-distance, suburban travel with fewer stops, higher speeds, and diesel-powered diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains.
Testing is now underway, with full end-to-end trials scheduled this summer. DART hopes to launch service in late 2025 to early 2026, offering all‑week service with 30‑minute headways during peak and 60‑minute off-peak periods.
Light rail is built for frequent, urban connectivity - like turning every few blocks inside Dallas proper. By contrast, the Silver Line is regional‑rail, tackling longer commutes across multiple jurisdictions in a way similar to DART’s TRE or TEXRail services. It’s not just about speed: it's about serving major employment hubs, airport transit, and suburban connectivity with a different style of rail infrastructure.
🔗 Transfers & Stations to Know
The Silver Line will stop at 10 stations, including key transfer points to existing DART light rail lines:
12th Street Station (Plano): connects to Red and Orange lines
CityLine/Bush (Richardson): another Red/Orange connection
Downtown Carrollton: links to the Green Line
DFW Terminal B & Airport North: connect to TEXRail for Fort Worth access
Station design and quiet-zone arrangements aim for a calmer, more efficient passenger experience—even the testing requires horn blasts before full quiet zones begin when operations launch.
🛤️ Why It Matters for North Texas
This isn’t just another rail line - it’s a strategic regional spine. The Silver Line is intended to alleviate auto congestion, support economic growth in suburban job centers, and offer a reliable alternative between Plano, University of Texas at Dallas, Carrollton, and the airport. Forecasts estimate over 11,000 daily riders by 2040, with more than 200,000 jobs located within half a mile of the corridor.
🚦 Final Take
In short: the Silver Line isn’t just a prettier version of DART’s current light rail - it’s a commuter rail system built for longer distances, fewer stops, and regional mobility. If you’re hopping between suburbs or heading to the airport, this line aims to put your commute on rails rather than in traffic.
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