DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF)- Dallas Area Rapid Transit is changing its bus system to accommodate the growing North Texas region.
Gordon Shattles with DART said this took two years of planning.
With the goal of providing greater frequency, longer service hours and improved access to destinations across North Texas, DARTs new bus network launches on January 24, 2022.
“Working with all 13 service area cities, employers, community leaders and DART service area city members, we designed a new bus system with the goal to ensure our passengers have quick, safe and easy access to employment, education and entertainment across the DART service area,” said Shattles.
Core Frequent Network service will provide bus frequency matching or better than light rail service – 15-minute peak and 20-minute midday. Light rail service will also return to pre-pandemic levels, providing 15-minute peak service and more frequent evening service.
With the implementation of the new bus network service changes, 74% of DART service area residents will have access to transit services within walking distance. This is an increase of 6% above the current bus network design.
By making the new bus routes more direct, focusing on major transit corridors and reducing the number of bus stops, DART bus service will be faster, ensuring passengers get to their destinations quicker and improving connections.
With a focus on transit riders working non-traditional hours, all local DART bus routes will provide service 7 days a week between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and midnight at a minimum. The 22 core frequent bus routes will operate between 4:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.
The new bus network will increase the number of jobs that a resident of the DART service area can reach in one hour by 34% compared to the existing bus network.
To celebrate the launch of the DART New Bus Network on January 24, all rides will be free the week of January 24 – 30.
DART will also offer 50% off all rides purchased with any DART contactless payment option from January 31 until end of service on February 14. Contactless payment options include: GoPass® app, GoPass® Tap card, Contactless Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards with contactless payment at the validators, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, and more with contactless payment at the validators.
Paratransit services will be $1. Learn more about contactless payment methods at GoPass.org.
The New Bus Network Free and Reduced Rides promotions are valid on all DART transit services throughout the entire DART Service Area including buses, light rail, TRE (between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station), GoLink, Dallas Streetcar, and Paratransit Services.
GoLink, DART’s on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service solution operates in zones across the DART service area. GoLink offers service with connections to DART transit facilities as well as anywhere within each specified zone.
13 new GoLink zones have been added, replacing traditional fixed-route service, bringing the total to 30. In addition, weekend hours have been added to many GoLink zones, with 13 zones offering Saturday service and 6 zones offering Sunday service.
GoLink is available to customers at no additional cost with a valid DART fare. The UberPool shared ride program is also an option as part of the GoLink service. With UberPool, travel to or from any DART station or transit center within a zone is $1, and travel to or from any destination within a zone is $3. The $1 fee has been waived during the introductory period. Prices are per trip, per person. GoLink riders can book and pay for trips with either the DART GoPass app or by calling 214-515-7272. UberPool riders will need to download the Uber app as well to book their trip. Both apps are free from the Apple Store and Google Play.
CLICK HERE for information about DART’s new bus network.
