DART takes delivery of first streetcar for new service
The vehicle, which was a designed and built by Brookville Equipment Corp., will be the first streetcar in the U.S. that utilizes wireless traction power.
Brookville Equipment's newly delivered streetcar for DART.
2 min to read
Brookville Equipment's newly delivered streetcar for DART.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART took delivery this week of its first modern streetcar for use on its new streetcar service, which will debut April 13.
The new Dallas Streetcar service is a 1.6-mile dedicated streetcar track that provides access for commuters in Oak Cliff to rail connections at Union Station in downtown Dallas.
The vehicle, which was a designed and built by Brookville Equipment Corp., will be the first streetcar in the U.S. that utilizes wireless traction power. This means the vehicle will be powered by overhead lines on surface streets, but operate with an on-board stored energy system when it crosses the historic, 101-year-old Houston Street Viaduct. Cost of the vehicle totals $4.5 million, with an additional vehicle coming soon, according to DART officials.
"The streetcar helps accelerate already strong community and neighborhood revitalization taking place in downtown Dallas and the North Oak Cliff section of the city, just south of downtown. Like light rail, it represents a long-term investment in local infrastructure and mobility. It strengthens economic development as it makes it easier for folks to get to and from these areas where they can live and work," according to DART officials.
This project is a partnership between DART, the City of Dallas, the Federal Transportation Administration and the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas marks the streetcar delivery milestone.
Other than testing and training along the new corridor, the vehicle will make its next appearance on April 9 as part of DART's participation in APTA's Stand Up 4 Transportation day of national transportation infrastructure advocacy.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
