DART proposes changes to Beach Bus services for 2026
In an effort to improve on-time performance, connections and service reliability, DART has proposed a number of changes to its Beach Bus services that are expected to be put in place in May.
For Route 201, which services the Lewes Transit Center, the outlets, the Rehoboth Park & Ride and the Boardwalk, weekday and Sunday frequencies will be every 20 minutes, instead of every 15. Additionally, Sunday service would be discontinued after 2 a.m.
For Route 204, which services the same stops as Route 201, but also downtown Lewes and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, service to Big Oaks Campground would be discontinued because of low ridership.
For Route 305, which is a north/south route connecting Wilmington to the Cape Region, there will be an additional round trip on Saturday, extended service to the Rehoboth Park & Ride, and the operational date extended through to Sept. 27.
A new route, called Route 207, would be established to operate between Massey’s Landing in Long Neck and the Rehoboth Park & Ride.
DART conducted a public hearing on the proposed changes Feb. 11 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Turnout at the public hearing was limited. One person signed in, and when she was asked if she had any public comments, she said no.
Tremica Cherry-Wall, DART planning and development manager, was on hand for the public hearing. The changes were a result of listening to riders and evaluating ridership numbers, she said.
There are increased frequencies at certain times and decreased frequencies at others because buses don’t need to be running for no reason, said Cherry-Wall.
All proposed changes are expected to be implemented Monday, May 18, and are available for review at dartfirststate.com. DART is accepting comments on the changes until Friday, Feb. 20. Comments can be submitted by emailing dotdtcweb@delaware.gov, through the online comment form at dartfirststate.com/publichearings, by calling 1-800-652-DART (3278) or by mail to DART public hearing, 119 Lower Beech St., Wilmington.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
