DART Vans aim to fill transportation service gaps

Transportation can make the crucial difference between being homebound and isolated, or healthy and active, and yet these issues can be daunting sometimes: How do you get where you need to go, for a health appointment, a job interview, or a visit to a child in the hospital? Bus service covers some areas, but not all. 

This is where alternative services come in, including DART.

DART (Demand Area Response Transit), operated by Hopelink and King County Metro, aims to fill service gaps in residential locations in King County where fixed-route service is limited. These DART vans can travel off the normal route to serve other locations within the service areas. This service is available to everyone and the buses are accessible.

Only a limited number of off-route deviations can be made on any given trip. Vans can deviate from their fixed routes to serve other locations within the service area, but they cannot necessarily provide door-to-door service due to safety and other operational considerations (narrow streets, cul-de-sacs, etc.). You may be requested to board / deboard at a location a block or more from your home or destination.

If transportation is a challenge for you, check out DART to find out if it might meet your needs!

Off-route trips can be requested by calling 866-261-DART, or go to the Hopelink website to request a ride and find more information here.

DART is just one of many alternative transportation services in our area. To find out more, check the Hopelink site.

--NUHSA staff