Dallas — McKinney Extension Opens

Rail Transit Online, August 2002

A 1.25-mi. (2 km) extension of the McKinney Avenue streetcar line to DART's Cityplace light rail station officially opened on June 27. The heritage trolley route, using four restored cars, has been dubbed the M-Line and is now considered part of the city’s transit system.  McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) Chairman Phil Cobb and City Council members Velletta Lill and Mark Housewright spoke briefly at the opening ceremony about the importance of the expansion.  Also on hand was DART Executive Director Gary Thomas.  Cobb noted that since the $3.5-million project informally opened in May, MATA had carried 15,000 passengers.  Following the speeches, car No. 122 with Councilwoman Lill at the controls broke through a banner to officially inaugurate the M-Line (photo).  Cars 122 and 369 with VIPs aboard then toured the route as Nos. 186 and 636 held down scheduled service.  There are now 3.8 miles (6.1 km) of track from Cityplace to St. Paul Street at Ross Avenue, and service operates on 15- to 30-min. headways.  A second extension to DART’s West End LRT station is planned.