Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) welcomed the first two buses of its new 476-bus fleet, marking a significant milestone in DART Transform — a comprehensive modernization program designed to improve the customer experience across the entire transit network, the agency said.

The new buses represent one of the first visible elements of DART Transform, which focuses on upgrading vehicles, stations, passenger facilities, and operating facilities, as well as creating a unified signaling system. This effort enables DART to grow transit opportunities in response to the needs of its riders. 

Together, these improvements advance DART’s Point B Strategic Plan according to the agency, which focuses on delivering fast, convenient, and easy public transit, creating fantastic spaces utilized by the community, and positioning DART as a key mobility and economic asset to North Texas. 

“We’ve made a strategic commitment to improving our entire transit network with DART Transform, and the new buses will be the first major component that every rider will get to experience,” said Nadine S. Lee, DART president and CEO. “We can’t wait to see the positive impact these new vehicles will have on our customers as they travel to their next destination with DART.” 

Gillig, a California-based company, is manufacturing the buses.  

Set to go into Service Soon

The arrival of the first two buses will allow DART’s maintenance and operations team to inspect and test the vehicles before full production begins in October. Like its current fleet, the new buses will operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). 

DART was awarded a $103 million competitive grant from the FTA’s Low- or No-Emission Grant Program, which provides funding for the purchase of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses. The grant helps cover nearly one-third of the total cost of the buses, with DART saving an additional $15 million by purchasing the 476 buses in a single large order. 

The agency is ordering 76 30-foot buses and 400 40-foot buses to align with ridership capacity needs. Once the full production is established, DART anticipates receiving 20 to 30 buses per month with operators running the first routes later this fall, in mid- to late-November.   

Customers can expect amenities such as vinyl seating, new on-board passenger information displays in both English and Spanish, tinted windows, and upgraded bike racks on the new Gillig buses. 

Replacing an Aging Fleet

DART said it replaces its vehicles when they reach the end of their useful life. FTA defines the useful life of a heavy-duty transit bus as 12 to 14 years or 500,000 miles, whichever comes first. 

DART’s 476 new buses will begin replacing the current aging fleet as each bus approaches the 500,000-mile or useful lifespan mark. 

As the bus fleet has aged, reliability has decreased, and maintenance costs have increased, particularly in the most expensive repair categories, such as engine, HVAC, and transmission, according to the agency. 

The new buses will help lower the surge in maintenance and repair costs, as well as address the shortage of parts for some of the oldest vehicles in the fleet.