Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) begins service Monday on its updated bus system. DART says the revised routes are more direct and focus on major transit corridors.
At peak hours, 22 routes identified as "core frequent" will run every 15 minutes at peak times and 20 minutes during middays.
All bus routes now run from 5 a.m. to midnight daily. The 22 core frequent routes run from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m.
"With the launch of the new bus network redesign, we believe our residents will have greater access, greater mobility and opportunities to improve their lives," DART Chief Information Officer Julius Smith said.
People can ride DART free through Sunday, Jan. 30, and from Jan. 30 through Feb. 14, rides will be 50% off. Details are available at dartzoom.org.
DART started to install updated signs for new routes earlier this month. Smith said the agency had already been discussing potential changes with its 13 member cities.
"It was a massive collaboration. We took the feedback from the citizens to ensure we meet their needs," he said.
Board member Patrick Kennedy said the schedule would allow for greater mobility for people who work the third shift at places like Love Field.
"This is our first complete overhaul of the network since DART's inception," he says.
Kennedy said the updated network puts 74% of residents within walking distance of transit service, an increase of 6%. He said the network would also increase the number of jobs accessible within one hour by 34%.
Some routes are being replaced by GoLink service, an on-demand ride-share service that can take people from a bus or train station to their final destination.
"We did a comprehensive redesign with a lot of work to ensure we have a very robust, responsive system that will meet any need for any citizen of any category," Smith says. "DART is the economic foundation of the region. With that, it will provide an economic increase and economic stability."
DART's light rail service is also returning to pre-pandemic frequency, running every 15 minutes during peak hours with increased service in evenings.
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