DART Celebrates Arrival of First New Buy America Compliant Buses

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

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). These buses are being manufactured by California-based Gillig, one of only two bus manufacturers in the United States that build CNG buses and meet FTA Buy America requirements.

The new buses represent one of the first visible elements of DART Transform, which focuses on upgrading vehicles, stations, passenger facilities, operating facilities, and creating a unified signaling system. Together, these improvements advance the agency’s Point B Strategic Plan, which is focused on delivering fast, convenient and easy public transit, placing the agency 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, 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.”

DART was awarded a $103 million competitive grant from FTA’s Low or No Emission Grant Program. The grant helps cover almost one third of the total cost of the buses, with DART saving an additional $15 million more by purchasing the 476 buses in one large order.

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