Dallas Area Rapid Transit received a $70 million federal grant from the Federal Transit Administration to replace aging light rail vehicles, the agency announced on September 4.
The grant is one of three rail replacement projects nationwide funded with $166 million in federal funding. The Port Authority of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority also received grants.
DART will use the funds to replace 53 light rail vehicles purchased more than 30 years ago. The new vehicles are expected to improve service reliability, strengthen system resilience, and provide passengers with more comfort, the agency said.
The light rail vehicle replacement is part of DART's Transform program, a 10-year system modernization initiative that also includes investments in facilities, infrastructure, and other assets. The agency said the grant complements a separate $25 million U.S. Department of Transportation Build grant it received earlier this year for platform modifications.
"The grants generously awarded by the FTA support our Transform program and allow DART to reinvest in aging infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and innovative transit options for the coming decades," said Trey Walker, DART interim executive vice president and chief development officer.
DARThas begun the procurement process to purchase the new vehicles.