The overview
DART plans to phase out the older buses that have reached the end of their useful life, and announced the purchase of 476 new buses earlier this year. The first buses in the fleet were already delivered this fall and will be picking up passengers by the end of December. The phased replacement of the older buses with the new models is expected to continue through 2027.
The details
The new buses are compressed natural gas-powered, a near-zero-emission option that helped DART secure the FTA grant.
According to DART documents, DART used feedback from passenger surveys to develop features on the new buses that aim to improve the rider experience. Amenities on the new buses include:
- Vinyl seats with more hip and leg room
- More space for strollers and mobility devices
- More secure storage for bikes
- New passenger information in English and Spanish
- Improved passenger information display screens
- Interior and exterior cameras
- Grab straps and handles for safety
The new grant is in addition to $103 million in initial federal grants awarded to DART, and part of a $2.5 billion nationwide system modernization program.
“The timing of this grant couldn’t be better as we begin to receive early delivery of new, state-of-the-art vehicles from Gillig and as we move ahead with preparations to provide service to the massive crowds we expect next year with the FIFA World Cup,” said Nadine Lee, DART president and CEO.
