IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) – Dallas Area Rapid Transit has officially expanded service into Irving. DART’s highly-anticipated Orange Line started running early Monday morning, giving commuters heading from Dallas to Irving an alternative to sitting in traffic. This extends the nation’s longest light rail system to 77 miles.

The 5.4-mile line adds three new stations to the DART system. The first leg extends from Bachman Station in northwest Dallas to the University of Dallas, before passing through the Las Colinas business district and ending at the Irving Convention Center. DART plans to expand the line to about 14 miles, reaching DFW International Airport by the end of 2014.

Irving and DART officials want to bring easier access to the area’s arts, education, entertainment and businesses, and have been eagerly awaiting the Orange Line’s opening for decades. Click here to see what officials had to say about the new line.

There have been numerous changes to DART’s bus and rail schedules in order to accomodate the Orange Line. Commuters across DFW will want to check these new schedules before leaving the house. Click here to read more about those changes.

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