The Addison City Council voted on Oct. 13 to approve a funding agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) that will provide up to $800,000 for the town’s on‑demand transportation service, Addison Orbit. The money will keep Orbit running past its original six‑month pilot while DART evaluates improvements to its GoLink micro‑transit system.
Local ridership hits new highs
During the week of Oct. 5, Addison Orbit recorded 898 rides – a new weekly record and more than seven times the 125 rides logged in its first full week in April. The town reports that weekly ridership has stayed above 840 rides for four consecutive weeks, a clear sign that the service is meeting a real need for residents.
Integration with DART’s GoPass app
The agreement also calls for Addison Orbit to be integrated into DART’s GoPass trip‑planning application. By consolidating the two platforms, passengers will no longer need to juggle separate apps to schedule an Orbit ride and connect to regional DART services, a concern Mayor Bruce Arfsten raised after early testing.
Mayor and council praise the partnership
Mayor Arfsten, a regular user of the service, said the partnership “fixes that first‑mile, last‑mile problem” and supports the town’s long‑standing goal of improving local mobility. Council Member Randy Smith, who previously questioned continued DART membership, expressed optimism that Orbit can serve as a valuable complement to DART rather than a competitor.
Funding and fare adjustments
After the May 2 election confirmed Addison’s continued DART membership, the town adjusted Orbit’s model to better align with regional transit. Fare waivers in June encouraged ridership, and in July the council reduced adult and senior fares to $1.50. The new $800,000 agreement ensures those affordable options can continue while the agencies explore longer‑term solutions.
Looking ahead
City Manager David Gaines noted that the pilot was always intended to gather operational data and rider feedback. He highlighted potential improvements to DART’s GoLink service and the possibility of circulator routes as future options. The council’s May 26 work session directed staff to keep the pilot active through mid‑October, and the latest funding extends that timeline while discussions continue.
Although the agreement does not make Orbit a permanent replacement for other transportation services, it represents a concrete step toward a more connected, family‑friendly transit network in Addison. Residents can learn more about fares, service hours, and booking at city.ridewithvia.com/addison.
Original reporting: Branch Herald (Carrollton / Farmers Branch, local news) — read the source article.
