In early 2022, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has restructured (or reimagined) there bus routes. I took the opportunity to ride one of DART’s new routes, which is Route 3 – Ross, southbound to Downtown Dallas West End Station.

Route 3 Southbound starts from SMU/Mockingbird and terminates at West End Station in Downtown Dallas. Everyday, this bus comes every 20-30 minutes.

On this journey, I’ve boarded at SMU/Mockingbird Station and boarded off at Elm Street @ Akard Street in Downtown Dallas. The ride between those two stops was around 30 minutes. If going to Downtown Dallas, the fastest way is to board at DART Rail (Blue, Orange or Red Line) to Downtown Dallas.

The difference between route 3 and DART Rail is that Route 3 goes through Lower Greenville and Lakewood Heights neighborhood, and then travels in Ross Avenue to Downtown Dallas. Whereas DART Rail doesn’t not go through that neighborhood,

The Ride

Boarding

When I’ve boarded the bus, I showed my DART Rail Local Day Pass ticket to the bus operator. This ticket was purchased at the rail station.

If you don’t have a DART Rail Fare ticket, you can pay $2.50 (exact change) one way ride or show the purchase electronic ticket called GoPass App.

First Stop: SMU/Mockingbird Station

At this station, there are two levels. The underground level is DART Rail. DART Rail Blue, Orange and Red Lines stops at that station. Here is a quick rail destination:

• Blue Line
  • Northeast Bound
    • Garland
    • Rowlett
    • White Rock Lake
  • South Bound
    • Downtown Dallas
    • Uptown Dallas
    • University of North Texas at Dallas
    • Union Station
    • Reunion Tower
• Orange Line
  • Southwest Bound
    • Downtown Dallas
    • Uptown Dallas
    • UT Southwestern Medical Center
    • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL)
    • Las Colinas
    • Victory Plaza and American Airlines Center
    • Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Red Line
  • North bound
    • Plano Texas
    • Richardson Texas
    • Beltline
  • South bound
    • Downtown Dallas
    • Uptown Dallas
    • Reunion Tower
    • Union Station
    • Dallas Zoo

The second level (or ground level) is a bus station. At the bus station, passengers can board DART Bus or Southern Methodist University (SMU) Shuttle Bus.

In Transition

In between SMU/Mockingbird Station to Downtown Dallas, the southbound bus travels down Greenville Avenue, Maltida Street, and Ross Avenue.

Getting off at Elm Street at Akard Street

Around 30 minutes later, I got off at Elm Street at Akard Street. At that stop, there are several point of interests around this stop.

• Giant Eye Ball
• DART Rail Akard Station
  • Transfer to all DART Rai Lines
  • DART Headquarters
• AT&T Discovery District
  • AT&T Museum
  • The Exchange
    • A food court that ranges all sorts of food and drinks.

Opinion

The ride was great and goes through few residential neighborhoods. This bus is like a rail shuttle bus that takes passengers to rail station. Also, if there is a long rail delay, this is the best option to travel to Downtown (or Mockingbird).