Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) announced Tuesday it will launch DART Connect, the state’s first on-demand microtransit service.
In partnership with Via, a leader in TransiTech, the service will transform mobility in the rural communities of Georgetown and Millsboro. The service is a pilot project funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Accelerating Innovative Mobility grant program.
“Our customers across the state have been requesting transit services in many hard to serve areas, and we are excited to launch this innovative approach to providing people the mobility they need,” John Sisson, Chief Executive Officer, Delaware Transit Corporation, which operates DART First State transit service, said. “The full-scale deployment of this service is expected to be a game-changer for the transit industry, especially for those systems serving more rural and suburban areas.”
Through DART Connect, customers can use a new smartphone app or dial 1-800-652-DART, option 3, to request a ride anywhere within the service zones of Georgetown and Millsboro or between the two towns. On-demand microtransit then provides shared rides within 15 minutes of their request.
Officials said the service would replace Flex Routes 901 and 902, which served fixed destinations in the two cities. On the first day of service, ridership for DART Connect surpassed the average daily ridership of the two previous routes.
“We continue to look for opportunities to expand public transportation to underserved areas of the state, and we hope this pilot program will serve as a model that we can implement in other areas of our state going forward,” said Nicole Majeski, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation.