DART Launches Pilot to Test Next-Gen Bus Shelters

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has installed three versions of a new Tolar bus shelter prototype at five locations across four cities as part of a new pilot program to create a shelter based on feedback from passengers.

The protoypes include standard-width and slim-width shelters with benches, and a mini shelter that features seating for two. DART surveyed bus riders in 2023, asking them what key amenities were most important to them and worked with architecture and urban planning students at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) to help design the new shelters.

Customer feedback determined that more protection from the elements, improved lighting for safety and visibility, and real-time bus arrival information were top priorities for the new design. UTA students used those details to create a concept shelter that earned the Texas Student Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2023, with DART utilizing those designs to partner with Tolar to deliver the modified versions that are being used in the pilot program.

“We’re looking to see how these shelters and all their new features are received by our riders,” said Brandi Stringer, director of mobility capital projects. “Our number one goal is to provide an amenity at our bus stops that riders love and adds to their experience when riding DART.”

The pilot will run through November, allowing DART to gather feedback from multiple stakeholders, including passengers, and check the responsiveness of the shelters to North Texas weather and everyday use. A final design is expected by the end of the year for Next Generation Bus Shelters, which will be used throughout the DART network.