Dallas Now Begins Sharing GTFS Realtime Feed

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials announced the expanded use of real-time data so more customers can track vehicle locations, delays, and service changes as they happen.

The new initiative means customers will now be able to access key information on Google Maps, the Transit app, and various other apps.

Until now, such information was only available on the GoPass app and DART.org, by texting 41411, or on kiosks and transit center digital dashboards.

“One of our strategic goals is for more people to use and rely on DART because its services are attractive and convenient,” said Dr. Julius Smith, DART VP/CIO. “To do that, we will continue to do all we can to deliver information directly to our riders in new and expanded ways. Our hope is for riders to be better able to plan their journeys, reducing uncertainty and minimizing wait times.”

The Call for Better Information

DART board members pushed for the expansion so more riders will have easier access to real-time vehicle locations, arrival time predictions, and alerts such as detours and cancellations.

DART light rail and bus ridership have continued to grow so far this year compared to prior years. The organization and its employees are also putting extra emphasis on safety, cleanliness, and reliability.

“We’re grateful to have begun this relationship with DART, and we can’t wait for Dallas riders to benefit from this reliable data — which can be seen by the thousands of people already using Transit, as well as those who rely on other apps or websites,” said David Block-Schachter, chief business officer at Transit.

System leaders hope the shared data also fosters a growing culture of collaboration between DART, app developers, and the wider community.