DART is rapidly becoming a national leader in cutting-edge approaches to providing transit services, and Legacy is a hotspot for DART's launches of the new and next.
There are thousands of area residents who already know and love our transit system, but there are also tens of thousands who may not know Legacy has transit services at all, much less the really cool hidden treasures offered.
The Basics
DART provides transit services for a large region made up of “member” cities, and Plano is among them, opting to use $0.01 of its sales tax for transit.
When it comes to traveling on DART, it's now very simple. Discover GoPass: it’s the best way to find everything DART provides. In addition to exploring DART’s various transportation options (light rail, bus, GoLink), you can also plan rides, arrange pickup, and purchase passes all on one well-designed mobile app.
One thing to note: DART does not provide transit across the Sam Rayburn Tollway because Frisco isn’t a member city. That means commuting Legacy employees who live north of Sam Rayburn in Frisco, Northwestern Collin County, or Southeastern Denton County may not have direct access to a bus stop or train station.
But don’t let that scare you away from ditching your regular commute. Click here to see your many alternative transportation options in North Texas, or if you prefer, contact our Concierge for more personalized assistance.
DART began a Legacy Area pilot of on-demand rides in 2018 with its DART Go-Link vans. Last year, it grew to offer more than 20,000 rides each month.
As a result, DART added UberPool as a Go-Link provider. Like when using Uber or Lyft, a rider makes pickup arrangements via a mobile phone. However, unlike typical on-demand ride services, GoLink is free for riders who already have a transit pass. And even if you don’t, riding GoLink is very affordable (single rides on GoLink cost $1.50).
You’ll hear this a lot moving forward: just go to your GoPass app. Once there, simply indicate where you are and where you want to go. If your trip is within the Legacy Area, the GoLink option will appear on your screen. Once you schedule your trip, the app will show where your ride is and when it will arrive.
It’s no secret that utilizing transit is cheaper than driving to work, but let’s take that a step further. You could ride for less (or even for free) if your employer offers discounted “employee transit passes.”
With E-Pass, your company could give you free passes, or only charge you a percentage of the cost of your pass, saving you at least $4,400 annually.
Hidden treasure #3 – Ridesharing
DART and Enterprise Commute are working to make carpooling even easier and cheaper than it already is. Through the Rideshare program, an SUV or small van is provided at a substantial discount with insurance included.
According to DART, “A [rideshare] is a service for 6-15 people to a workplace from an area not served by DART rail or bus. Riders are guaranteed a seat and share the cost of the van amongst the passengers.”
While Rideshare lets drivers use HOV lanes and reduce traffic, it also offers a pre-tax employee benefit and emergency rides home.
Here’s the kicker: the cost of the Rideshare driver's ride is covered by the other passengers. And, he or she can earn up to 250 miles for his or her personal use of the van.
To enroll in the Rideshare Program: Call DART at 214-747-RIDE (7433) or visit DARTRideShare.com. DART will assist in recruiting riders (6-15 people).
The Not So Hidden Treasure – DART’s regular bus service
DART provides thousands of rides to and from Legacy each day. Below, are the routes and some basic information including changes starting Jan 13th, 2020. Use GoPass to see which route might work for you and if you find a transit option for your commute, then you can purchases passes with GoPass as well.
The Future Looks Bright
Starting in 2020, the Regional Transportation Planning Agency and Collin County will begin developing a transit plan for Collin County. We have heard that planning will consider:
Big new ideas, like a “people mover” that people can hop on/off to get around densely developed areas like Legacy.
Needed connectivity to the DART’s Green Line and the Silver Line.
North/South transit options (in coordination with DART / DCTA) to solve the discount through Frisco into Northwestern Collin County / Southeastern Denton County.
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