Dallas, TX
M-Line Trolley
4.4· 111 Google reviews
At a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-24- TypeFree daily heritage streetcar transit through Uptown, Downtown, and the Dallas Arts District
- LocationDallas, TX
- Rating4.4 ★111 Google reviews
About M-Line Trolley
McKinney Avenue Transit Authority is a nonprofit that operates the free M-Line Trolley as both working public transit and living preservation. Vintage electric streetcars travel a 4.6-mile urban route through Uptown, West Village, Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Arts District, and Downtown, with connections to DART Rail at CityPlace/Uptown and near St Paul Station. A complete loop takes about one hour, traffic and weather permitting.
Plan a Ride on Dallas's M-Line
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time riders, transit fans, and city explorers
Ride the full urban loop
Allow about one hour to travel from Uptown through Klyde Warren Park and the Arts District, using the rider app for live vehicle locations.
Car-free visitors and airport-connected travelers
Connect from DART Rail
Transfer at CityPlace/Uptown through the West Entrance or walk from St Paul or Pearl/Arts District stations to avoid downtown parking.
Streetcar historians, photographers, and families
Meet seven working historic cars
Use the official fleet history to identify the car that arrives, while remembering that maintenance and assignments change daily.
Art travelers and mixed-interest groups
Hop off at Dallas Museum of Art
Use St Paul & Woodall Rodgers or Olive & Flora for a required free ticket and more than 25,000 works in the Arts District.
Upcoming Events
Complete official date check
2026 special-event calendar
The M-Line is free public transit operating 365 days a year, not a ticketed excursion calendar. Daily service is represented as a verified remaining-year range rather than 130 invented event occurrences; use the official rider app for live arrivals and alerts. Taste of the Trolley is a separately ticketed fundraiser at Fashion Industry Gallery, not ordinary trolley service. No other future MATA event is currently published. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- Service days365 days a year
- HoursMonday-Thursday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-midnight; Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday and holidays 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- FrequencyTypically every 17-20 minutes; live rider app controls current arrivals and alerts
- Full loopApproximately one hour, depending on traffic and weather
- FareNo required fare or ticket; tax-deductible cash, card, Venmo, or PayPal donations support service
- BoardingWait at a designated maroon M-Line stop and wave to the operator; use the onboard bell or cord to request the next stop
- Route4.6 miles through Uptown and Downtown with 43 designated stops and DART Rail connections
- WheelchairsRegular historic cars cannot board wheelchairs; use accessible DART routes or paratransit and contact MATA before riding
- Bikes and strollersBikes and small strollers may ride if space and clear exits permit; large strollers are discouraged; electric scooters are not allowed
- PetsLeashed or carrier-contained well-behaved pets and service animals may ride without taking a passenger seat
- ParkingConnect from free DART Park & Ride at SMU/Mockingbird or Park Lane; paid Downtown and Uptown parking also exists
- Office and car barn3153 Oak Grove Avenue is the MATA office/car barn, not a required start point or routine public exhibit
Find the Depot
The Trains
MATA identifies seven historic cars: Rosie 122, Green Dragon 186, Matilda 369, Petunia 636, Betty 754, Margaret 4614, and Emma 7169. The fleet spans cars built for Dallas, Porto, Melbourne, Brussels, and other systems. All currently operating cars can run from both ends; all except 122 use two trolley poles. Exact daily assignments and maintenance status vary, and the Oak Grove car barn is not open as a walk-in museum without a current announced program.
History
Dallas's first mule-powered streetcar line connected downtown with the Houston & Texas Central depot.
Electric streetcars entered service in Dallas.
The original Dallas streetcar era ended.
Phil Cobb and Ed Landrum founded McKinney Avenue Transit Authority.
The revived 2.8-mile McKinney Avenue Trolley opened.
The line reached DART's CityPlace/Uptown Station.
The Downtown loop opened, completing today's 4.6-mile route.
See full history
Dallas opened its first mule streetcar line in 1872 and introduced electric streetcars in 1890. The historic network eventually approached 200 miles and nearly 400 cars before the original era ended in 1956. Phil Cobb and Ed Landrum founded MATA in 1983 after rediscovering rails buried beneath McKinney Avenue. The revived 2.8-mile line opened in 1989, reached CityPlace/Uptown Station in 2002, added the Uptown turntable in 2011, and opened its Downtown southern loop in 2015. The current 4.6-mile service carries more than 400,000 riders annually.
Around the Depot
Dallas Museum of Art is an independent institution directly served by two pairs of M-Line stops. Its required free general-admission ticket, wheelchair-accessible galleries, and large global collection make it a practical fixed-time anchor for a flexible trolley loop.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Compare the attraction location with your airport or lodging before deciding whether a rental car fits the trip.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Dallas
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the M-Line Trolley free?
Yes. No ticket or required fare is needed for ordinary service. MATA invites tax-deductible donations in the fare box or online to help keep the service running.
When does the M-Line run?
It runs 365 days a year: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and holidays.
How often do trolleys arrive?
The official schedule says typically every 17-20 minutes, with three cars on most days. Traffic, weather, and service conditions vary, so use the MATA rider app rather than third-party stop times.
How do I board and request a stop?
Wait beside a designated maroon M-Line sign and wave as the trolley approaches. Onboard, ring the bell or pull the overhead cord to request the next designated stop.
How long does the complete route take?
A full loop takes approximately one hour depending on traffic and weather. The route is 4.6 miles and has 43 designated stops.
Can a wheelchair board the trolley?
No. MATA says its regular historic cars cannot board wheelchairs. DART buses and trains provide ADA-compliant alternatives, and DART Paratransit covers the service area. Contact MATA before riding.
Can I bring a stroller, bike, scooter, or pet?
Bikes and small strollers may ride if space and clear exits permit; large strollers are discouraged. Electric scooters are prohibited. Leashed or carrier-contained well-behaved pets and service animals may ride.
Where should I park?
MATA recommends free DART Park & Ride at SMU/Mockingbird or Park Lane, then a Red, Blue, or Orange Line connection to CityPlace/Uptown. Paid Downtown and Uptown parking is another option.
Can I tour the trolley car barn?
Do not assume so. The Oak Grove address is an operating office and car barn, not a routine walk-in museum. Visit only for a currently announced public program or prearranged charter accommodation.
How do I pair the trolley with Dallas Museum of Art?
Reserve the museum's required free ticket, then use St Paul & Woodall Rodgers for the Main Entrance or Olive & Flora for the Flora Street Entrance. Check the live trolley tracker before and after the visit.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 24, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official route and schedule for 365-day hours, frequency, loop duration, live-tracker warning, stops, route, and transit connections
- Official rider guide for boarding, donations, stop requests, wheelchair limits, bikes, strollers, scooters, pets, parking, and safety
- Official MATA overview for nonprofit mission, free service, ridership, route length, and operating role
- Official history and fleet guide for Dallas streetcar history, MATA milestones, seven cars, and trolley technology
- Official charter page for the charter/public-service boundary, 43 stops, route, pricing range, food, alcohol, and advance wheelchair arrangement
- Official Taste of the Trolley page and linked ticket source for October 15, 2026 time, venue, program, and refund terms
- DART M-Line page for independent confirmation of free daily public transit, service hours, and DART connections
- Licensed McKinney Avenue Transit Authority image collection