NOVEMBER 2024

Hello Community Partners:

A big focus of the next decade is to bring DART’s infrastructure and equipment back to a state of good repair and also to modernize it. Our effort to modernize the system has an official name. “DART Transform” speaks to the way this new program will upgrade our current assets and positively impact the experience for our riders, employees, and stakeholders.

DART Transform grew from our need to replace 95 of our oldest light rail vehicles (LRV) and approximately 500 buses. To accommodate and integrate the new trains, our team realized we would also need to make improvements to our light rail infrastructure, station platforms, signaling systems, and maintenance facilities. At this time, we also have an opportunity to improve the resiliency of our system so it will perform more reliably during extreme weather. And while we are at it, why not improve the customer experience at our stations, transit centers, and operating facilities?

Each of these major program elements involves hundreds of vehicles, facilities, and other infrastructure assets. In alignment with the Point B Strategic Plan, our Development Department – which is leading DART Transform – is mapping out a 10-year asset management plan. Their first step was to work with our Operations Department to conduct a thorough condition assessment of all the assets we own. Now, armed with that information, we will more effectively prioritize, schedule, and budget for repairs, replacements, and other improvements.

Planning and expanding the DART System to what we know today was a generational investment into improving mobility in North Texas. Now it is time to reinvest in our assets to ensure that DART can deliver a high-quality customer experience for the riders and communities we serve for many more years to come. 

In this issue of the newsletter, you can read more about:

• State of Good Repair baseline asset assessment that will help us prioritize and budget for the DART Transform projects.
• Groundbreaking for the Shiloh Road Equipment Maintenance Facility for the Silver Line.
• DART Board Member feature on Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer.
• City spotlight highlighting Plano.

DART is a critical economic engine and mobility asset for all people, and we must continue to take care of what we own and enhance what we offer. Thank you for your continued support and advocacy for improving public transit in North Texas.

DART Board Director Spotlight –

Rick Stopfer

The Irving City Council appointed Mayor Rick Stopfer to be the Irving representative to the DART Board in 2013. Rick was re-elected to a third term as Mayor in May 2023. He was originally elected as a councilmember to the Irving City Council in 1998 and served through 2012.

DART and the City of Irving are not the only beneficiaries of Rick’s civic engagement. He was a member of the Valley Ranch Association Board of Directors, where he served for over 20 years and President of the Irving Heritage Society. Rick has an extensive history of involvement with various municipal boards and government agencies, as well.

Click here to learn more about Mayor Rick Stopfer’s civic engagement at DART, the City of Irving, and other North Texas organizations.