SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. - DART Connect is all about public transit on demand. The microtransit service launched on Monday. The new service offers more destinations, and has no fixed schedule.
Transit officials say six percent of households in Sussex County do not have access to a car, and this aims to fix that. It also aims to increase access to transportation in Delaware's rural communities.
“We had a very successful launch yesterday. In fact we've already doubled the number of rides on an average daily trip with our previous flex routes 901 and 902,” said Veronica Vanterpool, Chief Innovation Officer at Delaware Transit Corporation.
Convenient, reliable, frequent, and no more long waits. That's what DARTS says the new service brings and riders say they need.
“We had a customer and he was able to make an earlier bus, and not have to wait an hour for the next, which he always misses, because he can never get to that bus in time after his work shift. That's exactly what we want. We want to add more time into people’s lives,” said Vanterpool.
To request a ride: Download the DART Connect app, click "don't have an account yet?" There you will type in your first and last name, email, a password and phone number.
Then click the "free at launch button" since rides are free until May 11th.
There you can see your current location and set your destination. Click book a ride, wait a few seconds, and your ride appears on a map that’s similar to Uber or Lyft.
DART Connect’s service zone allowed you to travel throughout Millsboro and Georgetown, or connect with other DART buses that will take you to other locations in Sussex County.
“Our service has been serving a lot of workers particularly at the Mountaire Farms in Millsboro. So we have been taking people both in their morning shifts and their evening shifts. That has been a big source of our rides for DART connect between yesterday and today,” said Vanterpool.
While you're sitting and enjoying your ride you can look at the DART connect app to see how far your ride is from your destination.
If you cannot get the DART connect app you can dial 1-800-652-DART to request a ride.