METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

DART Approves Major Investment to Upgrade Bus Stop Amenities

The board authorized a five-year contract, with two one-year options, to Tolar Manufacturing Company Inc., for the fabrication and installation of upgraded passenger amenities at bus stops across the DART Service Area.

March 30, 2026
DART bus approaching waiting passengers

The program will add and replace critical infrastructure at bus stops, including 1,350 shelters equipped with benches, real-time arrival displays, and modern passenger technology, along with up to 1,500 steel benches, 3,000 trash cans, and 500 bus stop blade lights.

Credit:

DART

2 min to read


  • DART has approved a major investment aimed at upgrading passenger amenities at bus stops in its service area.
  • A five-year contract with two additional one-year options has been awarded to Tolar Manufacturing Company Inc. for this project.
  • The contract involves the fabrication and installation of improved facilities at DART bus stops.

*Summarized by AI

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board approved a major investment to modernize bus stop infrastructure across the region, enhancing safety, accessibility, and comfort for thousands of daily riders.

The board authorized a five-year contract, with two one-year options, to Tolar Manufacturing Company Inc., for the fabrication and installation of upgraded passenger amenities at bus stops across the DART Service Area.

Ad Loading...

The contract authorizes an investment of up to $71.5 million to improve the rider experience significantly.

The DART/Tolar Partnership

The program will add and replace critical infrastructure at bus stops, including 1,350 shelters equipped with benches, real-time arrival displays, and modern passenger technology, along with up to 1,500 steel benches, 3,000 trash cans, and 500 bus stop blade lights.

Over the next several years, DART will also expand bus stop amenities by installing 350 new shelters, upgrading more than 1,000 existing shelters, and improving accessibility with new concrete pads, sidewalks, and curb ramps.

The improvements are designed to create bus stops that are more accessible, informative, and comfortable, with better lighting, seating, and weather protection, while providing real-time service information to riders.

“Investing in modern bus stop amenities is about improving the daily experience for our riders,” said Nadine Lee, CEO at DART. “These upgrades will make our system more accessible, safer, and more comfortable while delivering the reliable travel information our customers expect. This investment reflects DART’s commitment to enhancing transit infrastructure and improving mobility across North Texas.”

Ad Loading...

Based on Customer Feedback

The initiative builds on years of planning and pilot programs that tested next-generation shelter designs and incorporated rider feedback.

Surveys conducted with more than 4,200 respondents found that 90% of riders believe the proposed shelter design is an improvement over existing stops, highlighting the importance of improved lighting, weather protection, and real-time travel information.

Installation and upgrades will occur in phases through 2030, supporting DART’s broader efforts to modernize infrastructure and improve the customer experience throughout the transit system.

Quick Answers

The DART board authorized a contract for upgrading passenger amenities at bus stops across the service area.

*Summarized by AI

Ad Loading...

More Technology

Bus driving down road demonstrating ACE
Technologyby StaffApril 10, 2026

New York MTA Extends Automated Camera Enforcement Program

Vehicles that improperly use busways and bus lanes, block bus stops, or illegally double-park will receive warning notices in the mail for an initial period of 60 days, followed by summonses thereafter.

Read More →
A product grouping image of the AngelTrax Vulcan Series VX4AI All-in-One MDVR and V1284HC MDVR
Security and Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

AngelTrax, City of Freeport Partnership to Enhance Fleet Safety

The project, finalized on February 12, provides the city with two different configurations of high-definition cameras to outfit 16 buses in the Pretzel City Area Transit fleet.

Read More →
A photo of Peoria MTD workers fro WeDriveU's contract
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsApril 7, 2026

WeDriveU Lands Paratransit Contract, Alstom Extended in ATL, and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A rider looking at a Via map on a smartphone
Technologyby StaffApril 6, 2026

NJ TRANSIT Introducing New Microtransit Pilot

The service will offer free connections to major bus stops and park-and-rides, linking customers to NJ TRANSIT’s fixed-route bus network.

Read More →
A look inside the new better Breeze ticket vending machines during installation at Lindbergh Center Station.
Technologyby Elora HaynesApril 6, 2026

Building Better Breeze: MARTA’s Fare System Rollout in Photos

See how MARTA’s better Breeze system came to life, from construction to installation across stations.

Read More →
A screenshot of a Clever Devices product
Technologyby StaffApril 2, 2026

Hitachi Rail Strikes Deal to Acquire Clever Devices

The proposed acquisition of a company with deep digital expertise and expected 2026 revenues of over $220 million marks a significant step in Hitachi Rail’s strategy to operate as a leading global digital mobility player, the company said.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A white, blue, and black graphic with a black and white image of hands tapping a fare card and text reading "Transit Fare Systems Reimagined."
Technologyby Elora HaynesApril 1, 2026

Why Transit Agencies Are Rethinking the Farebox, and the Technology Behind It

The farebox is no longer just a payment machine. Learn how agencies are using new tech and pricing strategies to rethink how riders pay for transit.

Read More →
Coach USA, Samsara cover shot
Technologyby Alex RomanMarch 30, 2026

How Coach USA Is Using AI to Prevent Bus Accidents

As motorcoaches navigate increasingly congested urban corridors filled with pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, and distracted drivers, safety leaders across the industry are confronting a growing challenge: visibility.

Read More →
A Houston automated people mover manufactured by Alstom.
Technologyby Staff and News ReportsMarch 26, 2026

Biz Briefs: Alstom in Houston, DATTCO Makes Acquisition, and More

In this edition of Biz Briefs, we highlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility — from manufacturers and technology providers to transit agencies and motorcoach service operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A screenshot of ZeroEyes AI gun detection technology.
Railby Staff and News ReportsMarch 24, 2026

ZeroEyes Launches ZeroLink to Expand AI Gun Detection Beyond Traditional Networks

New edge-based solution enables real-time threat detection and situational awareness in remote, mobile, and infrastructure-limited environments.

Read More →