Delaware Transit Corp. (DART) opened the Wilmington Transit Center, located at Front and Walnut Streets.
The new transit center has the capacity to have up to 10 buses stage at one time allowing bus layovers without blocking city streets and offers riders a smoke-free covered, seated waiting area, bus displays, ticket sales, WiFi, USB charging stations, vending machines, and bike racks with a bike repair station.
Located adjacent to Wilmington’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Station, the transit center provides access to Amtrak, SEPTA, Greyhound/Trailways, and cabs. The center also provides parking for rental cars, and offers 90 public parking spaces, including two electric car charging stations.
“We have made significant investments in the City of Wilmington and our infrastructure that has helped create jobs, improve travel, and spur economic development,” said Gov. John Carney. “This transit center will serve 75 percent of the bus routes in Wilmington, and it will make it easier for passengers in and around the city to get to their destinations.”
“The Wilmington Transit Center truly is a multi-modal facility that provides Wilmington with a much-needed hub for trips into Wilmington and surrounding New Castle County,” offered Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.
“Wilmington is grateful for the new, modern, convenient transit center that sits within the City’s multi-modal transportation hub,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki. “This facility is in line with what we are building in Wilmington-a city for the future but one that meets the needs of today. My thanks to Governor Carney, Transportation Secretary Cohan, Delaware Transit Corporation Executive Director Sisson and all of the partners on this project for adding another plus to living, working and visiting a great city like Wilmington.”
The $10 million-dollar project constructed as part of a public-private partnership between DelDOT, DTC and Transit Center, LLC (Colonial Parking, EDiS Company, and Emory Hill Real Estate Services, Inc.), used state and private funds.
Jed Hatfield, President of Colonial Parking, Inc. commented, “On behalf of my partners at EDiS Company, Emory Hill Companies and myself, it has been our great pleasure to partner with everyone at the Delaware Transit Corporation to develop the Wilmington Transit Center. It is a beautiful facility that will serve the mobility needs of Wilmington with access to all modes of transportation including train, bus, automobile, rental vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.”
The transit center comes after a controversy over DART dismantling a transit hub on Rodney Square following complaints by businesses over congestion and diesel fumes at a site not designed for transit.
The change drew complaints from riders who said they had to walk blocks to catch connecting buses.Gov. Carney waded into the controversy and a few stops were restored.
Efforts to restore the hub were unsuccessful. More recently, complaints about DART eliminating stops at nearby the train station were aired. The transit hub is adjacent to the station and provides parking for Amtrak and SEPTA rail customers.
The center’s exterior is compatible with the distinctive look of the historic train station, designed by noted architect Frank Furness.
