DART to replace low ridership bus routes with on-demand, ride share option
Have you seen these signs around your neighborhood? Basically it means that the bus route is being shut down as part of DART's network redesign. (www.dartzoom.dart.org). This is being done in areas where ridership is low. On those routes, DART is shifting to on-demand ride share. A neighbor raised her concerns that ride share is not dependable. She told us she had had to wait 45 minutes one time at the Bachman Station for a car. As we all know, Uber and Lyft do not have sufficient drivers these days to handle the demand and so we decided to get some clarification from DART on their plan. We felt a little better when we read their response:
"To preserve customer experience levels, we have purchased additional GoLink vehicles, are updating our agreement with UberPool to facilitate more efficient service, and have directed the GoLink contractor to hire additional operators in time to start expanded service on December 6. GoLink customers always have the choice between a dedicated GoLink vehicle or the UberPool option. If wait times are higher than average on one of them, there is a chance the other will arrive quicker.
Though we recognize that not every transit service operates perfectly, we are doing the best we can to prepare for the early implementation of the new GoLink network in December. We are in constant communication internally to ensure smooth implementation. We are confident of our plan to prepare for implementation and hopeful for a seamless transition to the future network."
Do you have any other questions / concerns?
From DART website: New GoLink Zones
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An essential part of the new DART bus network is the expansion of GoLink, DART's on-demand, curb-to-curb microtransit service solution that operates in zones across the DART service area. GoLink offers direct-request demand-responsive service with connections to other DART routes as well as curb-to-curb service anywhere within a specified zone.
With the start of the new bus service schedule in 2022, 13 new GoLink zones will be added, bringing the total to 30. To ensure riders have the opportunity to experience GoLink for themselves before the bus service changes go into effect, all 30 zones will be active beginning December 6, 2021.
GoLink riders can book and pay for trips with either the DART GoPass app or by calling 214-515-7272. The free app is available from the Apple Store and Google Play.