After more than 40 years in operation, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) says it’s modernizing its transit system to continue improving customer experience.

Called DART Transform, the modernization program will focus on five core elements: vehicles, stations and passenger facilities, resiliency, a unified signaling system, and operating facilities. The agency said that by improving each of these measures across its transit network, DART seeks to transform commutes and communities across North Texas.

DART is replacing 95 light-rail vehicles as part of its DART Transform modernization plan. [Video still: DART]

“Many of our vehicles and facilities have reached their usage capacity, so it’s time to invest in our aging system to ensure our customers have a cleaner, safer, more reliable experience when they are commuting with us,” DART President and CEO Nadine Lee said in a statement. “DART Transform aligns with our Point B vision, a road map that will move us from where we are now to where we want to be as an agency.”

New features

DART is replacing 95 light-rail vehicles as part of its DART Transform modernization plan. [Video still: DART]

DART said it surveyed riders, stakeholders, and employees to identify improvements that will provide a safer, cleaner, and more reliable ride.
Changes riders will see include:

• New buses and trains with upgraded lighting, system messaging, and convenience features
• Raised platforms at 23 stations to provide level boarding and improve access for those with limited mobility or who are travelling with children
• Renovations at the Cityplace/Uptown station
• Additional resiliency measures to guard the rail system against extreme weather events, and Improvements at stations and passenger and operations facilities

Video still: DART

Over the past year, DART said it has installed 34,000 new vinyl seats on buses and trains, hired more security and fare enforcement officers, implemented an on-board cleaning team, and improved lighting around stations. DART said that was the first step in reinforcing its commitment to improving the customer experience.

DART also said it has secured a contract to buy new buses to begin replacing the oldest ones in its fleet and anticipates having them operating routes by spring of 2026. The process to begin replacing light-rail vehicles (LRVs) will take a bit longer as DART said it still is in the planning and development phase.

Once a final design is approved and manufacturing begins, riders can expect to see the new LRVs in operation by 2029.

Next steps

Video still: DART

DART said that later this year, it will begin asking customers about their journey to identify pain points accessing their transit ride, while at the agency’s facilities, and on their commute. That will allow DART to better understand the customer journey and take decisive action or partner with the corresponding city to make improvements throughout the DART Transform program, the agency said.

DART said its team also will reach out to non-riders to gauge how they, too, could become DART customers.

For more about DART Transform, you can go here.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit said its network of DART Light Rail, Trinity Railway Express commuter rail, bus routes, GoLink on-demand services, and paratransit services moves more than 220,000 passengers per day across a 700-square-mile service area including Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park.

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