Dallas Area Rapid Transit have announces that it is developing plans to have more frequent light rail services. These would be based on the Red Line North/Orange Line and the intention is to alleviate rush hour congestion and provide an alternative to car travel due to “sky rocketing gas prices.”
The new schedule is due to start on April 11 and will increase rush hour capacity 28%.
DART state that “the capacity will be increased by adding more frequent service over longer periods of time; creating more 7.5-minute departures instead of the current 15-minute departures. Four trips will be added during morning rush and six during the afternoon rush.
The departure frequency was increased in December as a cost-cutting measure and to match ridership demand. There are no plans to increase capacity on Red Line South, Blue Line or Green Line trains based on current and projected ridership. No bus routes are presently experiencing excessive loads, but staff are continuing to monitor ridership and will make adjustments as needed.”
