Dallas to debut level boarding at all rail stations

[IMAGE]DART-light-rail-level-boarding-full-2.jpg[/IMAGE]On Saturday, November 6 Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is set to debut level boarding at all light rail stations.

This transition follows two-and-a-half years of construction and station closures. Special use platforms or "high blocks," which have served persons with disabilities and mobility challenges since the rail system opened in 1996, also will be removed from service, as these passengers begin utilizing the low-floor center doors in each train's center section.

Each low-floor center section is equipped with two clearly marked areas designated to accommodate wheelchairs. Other passengers are expected to yield these spaces to customers with mobility needs, as they have previously at the front seats of the train. Near each space is a blue call button to alert the train operator when a person in one of these spaces requests a stop.

Trains at Green Line stations, the new Lake Highlands Blue Line station and those in downtown Dallas will stop with the low-floor doors near the ticket vending machines to help customers who are blind or have other vision problems. At outlying Red and Blue line stations, the accessible entrances will align with the eight-inch high mini-platforms or "humps" that have been constructed.