Fixed Route Schedule Information

Q. I have looked at the various schedules found on the website, but I am still unsure of how to get where I need to go. Where can I get assistance?

A. For statewide schedule information, Intercounty schedule information, and Resort / Beach Bus information you can contact one of our Information Center Specialists at 800.652.DART. The telephones are staffed Monday through Friday 6:00 am - 8:30 pm and on Saturday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Fixed Route Fare Information

Q. What is a valid form of payment?

A. To ride DART First State fixed route buses and trains you must have either a DARTCard, R2 Train Daily Pass or Trail Pass, agency tickets, or cash.

Q. Where can I purchase DARTCards, SEPTA train passes, and SCAT tickets?

A. DARTCards and tickets may be purchased online or at various ticket outlets throughout the State. A listing can be found on our website by clicking on Ticket Outlets, as well as instructions on how to order through the mail. You may also call 800.652.DART for further information or to find out the ticket location nearest to you.

Q. Do I have to pay for my young children?

A. Two children under 46 inches in height may ride fixed route buses free with a responsible fare-paying adult.

Q. How can I find out how much my fare will be?

A. Our fares are listed on the schedules as well as on our web site under "Fares". If you are still not sure and need further information, please contact our Information Center at 800.652.DART.

DARTCard Information

Q. What kind of discount can I get if I purchase a DARTCard?

A. There are 6 types of DARTCards ranging in value from $12.00 (purchased for $9.60), to $108.00 (purchased for $65.00). Reduced fare DARTCards for seniors and disabled, have a value of $46.00 and can be purchased for just $14.00. Order DARTCard now.

Q. Who can I contact if I need more information regarding DARTCards and fares?

A. Please call our Ticket Sales at 800.652.DART, or visit DartFirstState.com.

Paratransit Information

Q. How do I know if I am eligible for paratransit service?

A. You can get details regarding Eligibility Criteria and application information by visiting our Paratransit Services on section on our website. If you have further questions you can contact our Eligibility Section at 800.652.3278, Option 3.

Q. How much is the fare for paratransit service?

A. The paratransit fare for New Castle and Sussex Counties is $2.00 each way. In Kent County the customer only pays $1.00 each way, (the remainder is subsidized by the County).

Q. What is a valid form of payment when traveling on a paratransit vehicle?

A. You may pay your fare by either cash, paratransit strip tickets, or by an agency ticket.  Order Paratransit Strip Tickets online.

Q. Can I bring packages on the paratransit bus?

A. We do not limit customers to a specific number of packages. However, you may only bring packages that can be placed on your own lap or directly at your feet without blocking any pathway. In addition, operators are not permitted to carry packages to the bus or into your home. You need to arrange to have an aide with you if you require this type of assistance.

Q. What are the hours of service for paratransit vehicles?

Earlier or later hours may be available if fixed route bus service is available on the day and the times you wish to travel. The origin and destination of your trip must be within ¾ mile of fixed route.

* Outside the Service Area refers to Southern New Castle County and areas beyond the 3/4 mile radius of our nearest regularly scheduled fixed route service.

Phone Numbers & Hours of Operation

Q. What are the phone numbers for important questions I may have?

A. For General Information (including SEPTA R2 commuter train information) please see our Customer Service Phone List.

Q. Does DART First State provide bus service on holidays

A. Fixed Route and Paratransit service is not available on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. However, Resort Service and the Route 305 - The Beach Connection, does operate on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. ADA Paratransit Service is available Memorial Day through Labor Day, including holidays, in conjunction with Resort Service hours and locations that are established each season.

Q. What are the hours of operation for fixed route buses and trains?

A. Most buses in New Castle County run from approximately 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the week. Saturday service runs from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is limited Sunday bus service in the Wilmington area and to Newark that runs from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

In Kent and Sussex Counties buses run until about 7 p.m. There is limited Saturday bus service in Kent, and there is no Saturday service in Sussex.

The R2 train operates weekdays from approximately 6:03 a.m. to 10:23 p.m. between Wilmington and Philadelphia, and until 6:55 p.m. to Newark during the week. Limited Saturday service from Wilmington is also provided. For current SEPTA2 schedule information please visit Septa.org.

Q. What are DTC's office hours?

A. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Trip Planning & Travel Planning

Q. Does DE Transit-DART First State have a system I can use to plan my trips?

A. DART plans to offer Google interactive Trip Planning on its website in 2010 to help plan your trips. We currently have a RouteFinder trip planning feature on our web site, that allows riders to search by destination the DART bus routes serving the search criteria. The RouteFinder feature allows the rider to view and print the PDFs of bus route schedules determined by the search criteria. Also at the present time, we provide trip planning assistance via e-mail or by telephone. Our live trip planning through our Customer Service Department is during the hours of operation listed above.

Q. How can I learn how to ride a bus?

A. DART offers riders a How to Ride Guide on DartFirstState.com. Free printed copies of the Ride Guide are available from any DTC-DART First State administration office or by calling our Customer Service Department. We also provide free training for group and one-on-one sessions by our Travel Training staff who teach customers everything from how to read a bus schedule, pay the fare, board using a wheelchair lift, plan and practice transit trips, and other skills to give you the confidence needed to make effective use of DART's transit system. To learn more call our Travel Trainers at 800.652.3278, Option 3. Our web site, DartFirstState.com, also offer videos about out Travel Training and how to use our fareboxes on our fixed routes buses.

Customer Commitees

Q. Does DE Transit- DART First State have any committees or focus groups that consumers, advocates, or other interested parties may participate in?

A. DE Transit- DART First State currently has the following committees:

• EDTAC - The Elderly and Disabled Transit Advisory Committee - This committee meets on the third Wednesday of the month on a quarterly basis. Meetings are normally in March, June, September and December. EDTAC serves in an advisory capacity to DE Transit-DART First State regarding transportation services for the elderly and persons with disabilities. If you are interested in becoming a member of this group, you may contact Carol Barnett  at 302.255.9364 or DART Customer Service Manager Bonnie Hitch  at 302.760.2809.
• Customer Advisory Committee - This committee is made of transit riders and customers, and meets at least 4 times a year to advise DE Transit-DART First State on matters and issues important to the quality of service to the riding public. If you are interested in becoming a member of this committee, please contact Maira Lopez  at 302.576.6060.

Overcrowding

Q. Why doesn't DE Transit-DART First State add more buses and trains during peak commuting hours?

A. DE Transit's current resources total 430 buses and 865 employees. With 69 fixed bus routes, 35 scheduled trains, and growing requests for paratransit service, DE Transit must carefully plan adding more buses and trains based upon the yearly funding it receives from the State and Federal government. For its peak fixed route bus routes, DE Transit does work to run additional "tripper" buses as needed to reduce over crowding.

Q. What does DE Transit - DART First State do to ensure its vehicles and equipment will not break down?

A. DE Transit has an experienced and skillful team of Operations and Maintenance staff, supported by modern and well-equipped facilities that work to keep our vehicles operating safely and efficiently with a minimum of downtime.

Q. Has DE Transit - DART First State experienced an increase in ridership?

A. DE Transit's ridership continues to grow - from 6.7 million passenger trips in 1994 to 10.2 million in 2006.

Q. Is there anything I can do to help with overcrowding?

A. Yes, when buses get full riders tend to stand in the aisles making it hard for additional riders to board. When the bus stops, please move to the center of the bus. This will free up more room for passengers to enter and exit the bus.

Q. What are the causes of bus and train service delays?

A. Factors such as traffic congestion, construction, inclement weather, vehicle accidents, or mechanical break downs or failures can potentially cause delays in service.

How Transit is Funded

Q. Why doesn't DE Transit-DART First State buy more vehicles and add more parking and security at the Park & Ride lots?

A. DE Transit's goals are to provide a high quality of transit services and safe locations for all of our riders to park, and board and disembark. We are working each year towards these goals improving our service, facilities, and bus stops, but the revenue we receive limits us. Our revenue is made up of passenger fares (18%), Federal grants (3%), Other-Bus Advertising (2%), and State Funds (77%). When any of these resources change, we must work to implement the best transportation system we can given our funding.

Q. How much does each bus cost?

A. Each bus cost approximately $350,000.

Q. How much does it cost to run each train?

A. Each scheduled train costs about $300,000.

Voice Your Support for Public Transit

Q. How can I help support public transit?

A. You can help by telling your friends and co-workers about the cost saving, and traffic and air pollution reducing benefits of riding transit. It's safer, too! Ask them to make a smart choice and ride transit! You can also contact your elected and appointed representatives. For information on contacting your State Senator and House Representative, please visit the State Legislature's web site.

Doing Business with Delaware Transit

Q. How can I do business with DE Transit (i.e. Register as vendor or submit bids for contracts)?

A. Please contact DE Transit Procurement Manager Carmen Berrios at 302.576.6112 or Robert Baldwin at 302.576.6114.

Job Openings - Becoming a Part of the Delaware Transit Team

Q. How can I find out about current job openings?

A. Current job openings may be found on the web at DartFirstState.com or by calling our Job Hotline at 302.577.3278 Option 6.

Q. What are the requirements to become a bus operator?

A. A valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL with passenger and air brakes endorsements) or permit is required for all bus operator positions, as well as the ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and physical.

Have Another Question?

Please call us or e-mail us via our web site's Contact Us page.