New trains and buses part of ‘DART Transform’ modernization for entire system
February 17, 2025 - TRA Newswire -
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), growing and serving the needs of the North Texas region for more than 40 years, is now turning its attention to modernizing its transit system to continue improving the customer experience. It will include replacement of tis light rail car fleet and new buses.
According to a news release, DART Transform is a modernization program that will focus on five core elements: vehicles, stations and passenger facilities, resiliency, a unified signaling system and operating facilities. By improving each of these measures across its transit network, DART aims to transform commutes and communities across North Texas.
“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,” explains DART CEO & President Nadine Lee. “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.”
A DART executive will be part of a transit panel at the Southwestern Rail Conference, April 7-8 at the Hurst Texas Conference Center and is expected to have more details about DART Transform.
DART surveyed its 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
New Buses, Trains Coming Soon
DART has secured a contract to purchase 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 is still 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.
Later this year, DART 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. This 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 team will also reach out to non-riders to gauge how they too can become DART customers.