DART bus systems have been planning a new updated route for its Northern Texas bus services starting as soon as next year. Initiating officially on January 24, 2022, the purpose of the new system is to provide residents with access to more convenient, affordable, and environmental options for transportation. DART says that the improved routing will allow for “a little bit of service close to people in many places, even where there are not many people.”
The official title of the project is the “DARTzoom Final Bus Network Plan” and was voted in by the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors. The original bus routes date back to the 1980s and provide service predominantly to the downtown areas of Dallas. New demand has increased exponentially with the development of outer urban areas.
According to DART.org, ridership in 2020 for both bus and light rail systems clocks in at 50.1 million rides. For reference, in June 2008, the agency found itself with 10.3 million trips in that one month alone. DART hopes that the friendlier bus routes will raise the number of riders, which has been on a steady decline since 2006.
DART plans to use a budget of a staggering 542 million dollars to operate the bus and transit networks for 2021. They have also allocated funds to reroute buses and improve rail systems. DART claims that the new bus system will have a frequency of 15-20 minutes at each bus and rail stop. Direct routing, more customer coverage, and expansion of its micro-transit GoLink service have promised better public transit for the Dallas area.
The advanced system also hopes to eliminate some of the commuter traffic in more populated zones, an issue hotly expressed by Dallas locals. Riding via bus is also a more environmentally sound way of transport compared to individual motor vehicles.