{"id":376,"date":"2026-05-10T13:40:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T13:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=376"},"modified":"2026-05-10T15:15:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T15:15:02","slug":"highland-park-rolls-out-new-transit-plans-post-dart-on-demand-rides-and-workforce-circulator-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallasrelocationhubs.com\/?p=376","title":{"rendered":"Highland Park rolls out new transit plans post-DART: on-demand rides and ‘workforce circulator’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As Highland Park prepares to leave Dallas Area Rapid Transit, town leaders are rolling out on-demand rides,\u00a0paratransit and plans for a shuttle service for construction workers.<\/p>

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Officials say the local services may better fit the town\u2019s needs, costing less than DART and helping unclog streets crowded by construction workers\u2019 vehicles.<\/p><\/div>

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The proposed \u201cBuilder Shuttle\u201d is aimed at reducing contractor parking and traffic tied to residential construction projects that officials say slow emergency response vehicles on neighborhood streets.<\/p><\/div>

\u201cWhat we’re trying to do is get contractor parking off our streets,\u201d Mayor Will\u00a0Beecherl said. \u201cWe’ll use the Via service, off-site parking and \u2018van\u2019 those individuals in instead of having to park up and down the streets.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

Town Administrator\u00a0Tobin Maples wrote in an e-mail to The Dallas Morning News<\/em> the shuttle service is being developed \u201cin response to a unique local challenge\u201d that existing transportation services \u201cwere not specifically designed to address.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

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Also dubbed \u201cWorkforce Circulator\u201d in town documents, the proposal will be presented to the council after further review. It will operate separately from the town\u2019s on-demand and\u00a0paratransit services.<\/p><\/div>

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Town leaders are considering a flat-fare structure during the pilot run of its new on-demand service, without discounts tied to age or DART transfers.<\/p><\/div>

On-demand plans<\/h2><\/div>

Because voters chose to cut ties with the agency last week, Highland Park will lose DART services Thursday, the day after town leaders canvass the election results.<\/p><\/div>

Officials are working toward \u201ca smooth and seamless transition,\u201d town spokesperson\u00a0Lt. Lance Koppa said.<\/p><\/div>

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He said\u00a0on-demand and\u00a0paratransit services are scheduled to begin Wednesday from Via, a transportation software company that also has contracts in Arlington, Plano and Addison.<\/p><\/div>

The six-month pilot will provide on-demand rides for trips originating in and traveling within Highland Park and a one-mile radius beyond the town\u2019s borders, including access to Love Field and Mockingbird Station.<\/p><\/div>

The service also will include\u00a0paratransit for trips beginning or ending in the town and extending across the DART service area.<\/p>

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“It’s our belief that Via will provide a better service,\u201d\u00a0Beecherl said. \u201cIt’s going to be a whole lot cheaper for us to run Via than to pay $8 million to DART.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

Highland Park council members on Tuesday considered a fare structure at $3 per one-way trip and $3.50 for\u00a0paratransit rides, the same as the fare for DART services.<\/p><\/div>

During the six-month trial period, town leaders are considering charging full price for all riders, including seniors and people connecting from DART who already paid a fare.<\/p><\/div>

Officials said they may revisit that after seeing how residents use the service.<\/p><\/div>

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\u201cWhy don’t we just discount it?\u201d asked Highland Park council member Leland White at the council meeting. Charging \u201ctwice for a three- or four-block ride seems a little bit heavy.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

End of line for DART<\/h2><\/div>

DART reported about 35\u00a0boardings per average weekday on Highland Park\u2019s lone bus route. The route has 15 bus stops in the town that will close next week. The town does not have rail service within its boundaries but will lose access to DART\u2019s GoLink on-demand service.<\/p><\/div>

Interim DART CEO David Leininger said the town may not yet fully grasp the work of delivering transportation services to those who rely on them.<\/p><\/div>

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\u201cWe\u2019ll try to help them with that,\u201d he said.<\/p><\/div>

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