DALLAS, December 4, 2025 – Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was awarded a $7.094 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to support the purchase of new buses as the agency phases out its fleet of older model vehicles. The grant awarded to DART is one of 165 transit projects across the U.S. funded with more than $2 billion in federal grants. 

DART announced the purchase of new 476  buses earlier this year, and the complete phase-in of the new vehicles is expected through 2027. The Gillig-manufactured vehicles are Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered, a near-zero emission option, which was a key component in DART qualify for the grant. Gillig delivered the first buses ahead of a Spring 2026 timeline, ensuring North Texas DART riders will experience upgraded buses on routes beginning by the end of December 2025. 

“We are grateful to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FTA Administrator Marcus Molinaro, and our entire congressional delegation for valuing their strong federal partnership with DART, recognizing the need to find additional funding to support transit programs in one of the fastest growing metro areas in the nation,” said Nadine Lee, DART President & CEO. “The timing of this grant couldn’t be better as we begin to receive early delivery of new, state of the art vehicles from Gillig and as we move ahead with preparations to provide service to the massive crowds we expect next year with the FIFA World Cup.” 

This new grant is in addition to the $103 million initial federal grants, bringing the total federal support for DART’s purchase of new buses to more than $110 million – reducing the overall cost to DART and member cities. U.S. Congressional delegates, representing communities across Texas, were instrumental in securing the funding for the grant. 

The purchase of 476 buses is one part of DART’s Transform, a $2.5 billion 10-year plan to modernize and upgrade the DART system.  

For more information about DART’s new CNG buses and its commitment to transforming the public transportation experience, please visit https://transform.dart.org 

About DART 

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides modern public transit services designed for fast, comfortable, and economical travel. The agency operates light rail, Trinity Railway Express, regional rail, bus routes, GoLink on-demand service, and paratransit, moving more than 171,000 passengers daily across a 700-square-mile, 13-city region including Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park.