Delaware Transit Corporation (DART First State) announced a revised statewide bus schedule that reflects changing commuting patterns.
One Wilmington DART bus route now includes Barley Mill Plaza, the site of restaurants, and a new Wegman’s supermarket. However, service office parks, Christiana Mall and Amazon sites have been reduced in some cases due to low ridership.
The changes to DART Statewide Bus Services will go into effect on Sunday after feedback from riders and the public through five public hearing workshops held in February and website submissions.
Adjustments were made to reflect SEPTA train schedules. The State of Delaware subsidizes a SEPTA route that runs from Newark to Philadelphia. New train stations have been built in Newark and Claymont. DART service is also subsidized since transit systems only get a portion of their operating expenses from the fare box.
The adjustments come as DART and other transit systems deal with lower ridership with more employees working from home or commuting only a few times a week. A bright spot for DART has been banks that often require workers to be at their desks most days.
The recent changes came without the controversy seen a few years ago over DART changing its transit hub from Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington to a transit center some distance away near the Biden Train Station.
DART’s popular Beach Bus services will begin on Monday, May 22, operating daily with increased frequencies through September 10.
The Beach Bus features park and ride lot for those who do not want to hunt for a parking space in Rehoboth or other areas. Fares include parking at the two lots.
DART’s Route 305 – Beach Connection will operate statewide on weekends and holidays, beginning May 27 through Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2023.
In late August, DART will add on-demand bus service in Newark in a pilot program as the city phases out its bus system, which has seen declining ridership. Riders will be able to order service through an app. The University of Delaware has its own bus system that transports students living on or off campus.
DART has been adding electric buses to its fleet, thanks to federal grants. The buses do not belch diesel fumes but come with limited range, a challenge in a state dealing with suburban sprawl.
Click here for the new DART schedule.
