DART celebrates 50 years of paratransit service in Delaware

Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Nicole Majeski and Delaware Transit Corporation CEO John Sisson were joined by state and local officials, DTC employees and special guests Dec. 2 as DTC proudly celebrated 50 years of providing paratransit service to Delaware residents and businesses.

Delaware Administration for Specialized Transportation was formed by state legislation in the early part of 1974, and provided its first paratransit trip Dec. 1 that year, becoming the nation’s first state or regional provider of specialized transportation services. DAST took over service from Delaware Interagency Motor Services, a private nonprofit that had begun providing trips in 1972. DIMS was not able to financially sustain service, and it transferred about 20 vehicles and an estimated 10,000 monthly trips to DAST. In 1994, the General Assembly created the Delaware Transit Corporation to manage and operate DAST, as well as other services under the DART name.

“For 50 years, paratransit service has afforded Delawareans who might otherwise have difficulty traveling the ability to work, go to school and attend necessary medical appointments. This would not be possible without the work and care of the thousands of employees who have provided this service over the years,” said Majeski. “Today we celebrate 50 years of service and thank all those employees who have provided and continue to provide transportation to thousands of Delawareans.”

Sisson said, “Over the past five decades, paratransit service has continually expanded and improved to meet the evolving needs of Delaware residents and communities. Today, DART operates 278 paratransit vehicles, providing over 74,000 trips per month across the state. Our long history of providing reliable transportation in Delaware, as well as our ongoing efforts to enhance service through innovations, community partnerships, and customer service have allowed us to provide mobility options to Delawareans.”