From a press release comes news of ridership gains in Delaware — without fare increases since 1989. I’d like to know how other agencies can replicate that record.
Delaware Transit – DART First State Gains Ridership Statewide
With its Money Saving Efforts
The Delaware Transit Corporation – DART First State today announced that its many transit services continue to gain ridership during this downturn in the economy, despite the drop in gas prices. From October 2007 to October 2008, riding public transportation in Delaware grew by over 15.5 %, or 568,091 passenger trips. Fixed route ridership recorded a 16% increase. Statewide paratransit services grew by 14%, or 31,536 trips.
SEPTA R2 commuter train service between Delaware and Philadelphia also gained ridership with a 14.2% increase. Avoiding I-95 traffic congestion along with vehicle and parking costs, more commuters used the SEPTA R2 trains for an increase of 51,804 trips.
DART credits these substantial ridership increases during these challenging times to the public coming to understand the benefits of riding transit even with falling gas prices, and to its several money and household budget saving programs. DART has not raised its bus fares since the spring of 1989, and has made paying fares easier with discounted stored value DARTCards.
The color-coded DARTCards are available in seven denominations and offer riders several discounted fare options up to 40% and, most importantly, the freedom to choose the DARTCard that works best for their traveling and budget needs. DART also makes buying DARTCards easy and convenient by arranging to have them sold at the 12 ACME Markets in Delaware, and by offering them online at DartFirstState.com. In a recent DART Rider Survey, upwards of 78% of riders used the money saving DARTCards to pay their fare.
Riders also save money by using one of DART’s strategically placed Park & Ride lots throughout the State. Transit riders can carpool or vanpool to make their connections. Park & Ride lots were also established at DART’s four train stations in the State. Another part of this money saving effort was the implementation of DART’s Rideshare Delaware program.
DART’s RideShare Delaware offers free ridematching services for commuters working in Delaware, as well as for parents of Delaware school students; an emergency ride home benefit for registered commuters actively ridesharing to work; vanpool services; and, transportation benefit assistance to employers in Delaware.
DART First State Executive Director Stephen Kingsberry stated, “We are pleased that more and more Delawareans are riding public transit because it is truly a smart and money saving choice. Even with falling gas prices, congested roadways, and concern for our air quality, public transit offers people more options and freedom of choice to get from Point A to Point B. DART First State looks to the future to providing even more cost saving mobility options as DART does the driving to help people with their traveling needs.”
DART First State is Delaware’s bus, train, and intermodal transportation provider. The Delaware Transit Corporation, a division of the Delaware Department of Transportation under the direction of Secretary Carolann Wicks, operates DART First State. DART First State services include commuter rail, intercounty bus, fixed route bus, paratransit, commuter assistance, and the RideShare Delaware program. For more information about DART First State services call 1-800-652-DART or visit our website at DartFirstState.com.
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