With the holidays approaching, transit services across Texas are adjusting their schedules to accommodate riders and ensure flexibility for drivers. Below is a summary of bus and transit service schedule changes for major cities, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
- Holiday Dates: December 24, 25, 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- December 24 (Christmas Eve): Buses and light rail operate on a weekend schedule; GoLink and Paratransit operate normally.
- December 25 (Christmas Day): Weekend schedule for buses and light rail; no TRE service; limited GoLink operations; Paratransit subscription trips canceled except for dialysis appointments.
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Weekend schedule; free rides on all services starting at 6:00 PM.
- January 1 (New Year’s Day): Weekend schedule for buses and light rail; no TRE service; Paratransit subscription trips canceled except for dialysis appointments.
For detailed schedules and updates, visit DART.org.
Houston METRO
- Holiday Dates: December 24, 25, 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025
- Key Changes:
- December 24 (Christmas Eve): Regular schedules for buses, METRORail, and METRO curb2curb.
- December 25 (Christmas Day): Sunday schedule for local buses, METRORail, and METRO curb2curb; Park & Ride buses will not operate; METROLift service canceled.
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Regular schedules for buses and METRORail; free rides after 5:00 PM; METRORail service extended to 2:30 AM.
- January 1 (New Year’s Day): Sunday schedule for buses, METRORail, and METRO curb2curb; Park & Ride buses and METROLift service canceled.
For trip planning, visit RideMETRO.org.
Austin CapMetro
- Holiday Dates: December 25, 2024, and December 31, 2024
- Key Changes:
- December 25 (Christmas Day): Reduced Sunday service; no rail, UT service, Night Owl, or Express service; no Pickup service.
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Regular bus service; rail service extended to 2:30 AM; free rides after 5:00 PM.
Details are available at CapMetro.org.
San Antonio VIA
- Holiday Dates: December 25, 2024, and December 31, 2024
- Key Changes:
- December 25 (Christmas Day): Buses operate on a Sunday schedule.
- December 31 (New Year’s Eve): Buses operate on a Saturday schedule.
For more information on holiday schedules and accessibility options, visit VIAinfo.net.
General Tips for Holiday Transit Riders
- Plan Ahead: Check the updated schedules on transit websites or apps before traveling.
- Free Rides: Take advantage of free rides offered on New Year’s Eve in Dallas and Austin.
- Accessibility: Ensure your route accommodates specific needs, such as bike racks or Paratransit services.
- Holiday Closures: Note that many customer service and lost-and-found offices may have limited hours or be closed on major holidays.
