DALLAS — Next time you notice a new shelter at your DART bus stop, you have students at the University of Arlington to thank for it.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) surveyed bus riders in 2023 and asked what key amenities were most important to them. The agency determined protection from the elements, improved lighting for safety and visibility, and real-time bus arrival information would make for a better commute.
UTA students used those details to design the new bus shelter prototypes being rolled out at five bus stop locations as part of a new pilot program. The Next Generation Bus Shelters were installed on July 18 and the pilot will run through November.
The concept design won the UTA students the Texas Student Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2023. DART partnered with Tolar Manufacturing to deliver the modified versions 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 Next Generation Bus Shelters are currently located at select bus stations in Dallas, Plano, Richardson and Garland.
The next few months will allow DART to gather feedback from stakeholders and riders on the design and responsiveness of the shelters to North Texas weather. A final design is expected by the end of the year and will be used throughout the DART system.
DART also anticipates having new buses for its fleet by 2026 and 100 new bus stop pads by the end of fall.
DART Next Generation pilot bus shelter locations include:
- Mini Shelter at Ross Avenue and Hall Street in Dallas
- Standard Shelter at Malcolm X Boulevard and Clarence Street in Dallas
- Standard Shelter at Hedgcoxe and Preston roads in Plano
- Slim Shelter at Synergy Park Boulevard and Rutford Road in Richardson
- Slim Shelter at Northwest Highway and Marketplace Drive in Garland
