Public Transit

The City of Allen works with local transportation partners to provide appointment-based transit services for adults ages 65 and older and those with a qualifying disability.

Collin County Rides

The Collin County Rides service provides appointment-based transportation to qualifying individuals. This service will be operated by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) through Jan. 31, 2024. To enroll, customers must:

  • Reside in Allen or Fairview
  • Be age 65 or older
  • Have proof of disability, such as a doctor’s note, SSDI letter, VA award letter or Medicare ID card

Enroll now to receive service through Jan. 31, 2024.

New service provider begins Feb. 1, 2024
Starting on Feb. 1, Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) will become the service provider for Collin County Rides. Current customers have received information about this transition through traditional mail and email. Visit the DCTA website for more information.

Many of the Collin County Rides service features will remain the same after the transition, including the fare structure and discounts every month. However, there will be important differences: 

  • Collin County Rides will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for major holidays. The service will not operate on nights or weekends.
  • Riders can make reservations at least one day in advance or up to 7 days prior to your trip. Same-day appointments will not be available.
  • Trips will be available to permanent residents of Allen or Fairview who are registered in the system.
  • Trips must begin or end in Allen or Fairview, and will be limited to locations within Collin County.
  • Trips must be paid for using a credit or debit card via your online account. (No cash, checks or money orders will be accepted.)
  • Schedule a ride (at least one day in advance) using one of these options:
  • RideDCTA mobile app - The DART version of the app goes away on Feb. 1. Users are required to use the RideDCTA app to schedule rides for Feb. 1 and thereafter.
  • DCTA Customer Service line at 940.243.0077
  • DCTA web portal (available sometime in January)

DART Rail Service

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is one of several transit systems which serves the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The closest DART light rail stop to Allen is located on Parker Road in Plano

Why doesn’t Allen participate in DART service?
Cities are required to dedicate a 1% local sales tax to DART to join its transportation network. Allen currently collects a 2% sales tax (the maximum allowed by Texas law) on qualifying items and services sold in Allen. Half of the tax (1%) is dedicated to the City’s general fund. The remaining 1% is divided equally between the Allen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Allen Community Development Corporation (CDC).

Under current funding requirements, Allen would be forced to eliminate funding for the Allen CDC and EDC to dedicate a 1% sales tax to DART. As both the EDC and CDC provide important benefits to local employment, business growth and quality of life, currently Allen has no plan to reallocate funding.