At a Nov. 3 meeting, Plano Planning and Zoning commissioners approved a specific use permit for a transit station for Vonlane, a Texas-based luxury regional bus service meant for interstate travel.
The details
The station will be located on the northeast corner of Legacy Drive and Communications Parkway at the Renaissance Dallas hotel in Legacy West, according to city documents.
Vonlane is a regional transportation service that provides bus routes between cities 200-250 miles apart, including connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth area to Austin and Houston.
A city spokesperson confirmed the transit service is not connected to the upcoming special election, which will allow Plano residents to decide whether the city stays a member of Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Plano officials are considering other alternative transit options with the election looming, including Uber and Via.
Vonlane CEO Alex Danza said the average fare on Vonlane is $130, and each 45-foot Vonlane bus includes 22 seats.
“Our strategy is to provide people with a transportation option that gives them an alternative to flying or driving themselves between cities that are about 200 miles apart,” Danza said. “For years, we have connected Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and this year we thought, Plano is booming, [so] we should be in Plano.”
Zooming in
Restrictions within the special use permit include:
- No access to Windrose Avenue
- Transit buses cannot be stored on the hotel property except for temporary loading and unloading
- Only one transit bus is allowed on-site at a time
Hotel amenities will also be available to bus riders while waiting for their bus to arrive, according to city documents.
Looking ahead
The permit is planned to go before Plano City Council for approval at its Nov. 24 meeting.
