DART deals elusive

Your next dash to the nearest bus stop won’t be paid for by North Lake College, but that might be just a few stops down the line.

In the past, NLC students received discounts on passes for Dallas Area Rapid Transit buses and trains, but no more. Now if you want to hitch a ride on the bus line, you have to pay full price. That may change, but don't look for it any time soon.

Until January of this year, the discount on a monthly DART pass for NLC students was $2 off the regular $30 price, explained Kris Reddick, assistant accountant in North Lake College's accounting services department.

"We got them on consignment. Whatever we didn't sell, we turned back in to DART," she said. "In January, we got a letter saying they were ending their contract with us."

She knew that other schools had a discounted pass program.

"But," she said, "the letter gave the impression that the contract was ending in general, for everyone, and didn't offer any reason."

In fact, other schools in the district do have an agreement with DART. El Centro students are offered free passes. The passes are paid for by the school, good for an entire semester, and in the Cashier's Office to any eligible student.

Kayle Jones, director of business operations at El Centro College, explained, "If you are taking at least six credit hours at El Centro, you are eligible."

However, it's not limited to students registered for credit classes. She also said that continuing education students with at least 96 contact hours can get the passes too.

"But," she added, "this is our last year on the contract."

And they're not the only ones. Richland College also has a contract with DART. Their program is a little different, but not by much.

At Richland, a student is required to register for seven credit hours to be eligible for the passes.
Ron Clark, dean of financial services at Richland, said the college's program is in conjunction with another DART program called Poetry in Motion. He explained that the school sponsors posters on DART buses and trains which display Richland's logo, and also quotes snippets of poetry.

Although these two programs together cost $100,000, the school foots the bill, "And the students get the passes for free," he said.
He said Richland’s contract was also ending, but at the end of next year.

Tony Mendoza, senior manager of consumer programs at DART, expressed dissatisfaction with all of these different scenarios.

"We've got to systemize this thing," he said. "We can't have different deals going on with all these people.

"We weren't happy with the participation in that program," he said of the College Discount Pass Program at North Lake. He also acknowledged that they are working on revamping the program to make it more attractive, and are planning a public awareness campaign for the first of the year.

One of the most attractive things about the pass itself is that it's not limited to travel between home and school. "You can go anywhere with a pass," he explained, "on the bus, DART Rail or the Trinity Rail Express. You can go to downtown Ft. Worth if you want to."

Not that it's of any consolation to NLC students right now, Reddick said she's looking into it. She was sorry to see the program go, but is happy to know that there will be better options to consider later.

So buck up, all you fare-toting bus riders. You're next wait in the rain may not be so dreary if the ride you're waiting for is free.