DART and Uber hit contract delays to continue providing popular GoLink service

The DART board approved $5 million to temporarily extend DART’s GoLink contract with Uber as a new contract with the company has hit delays.

The GoLink program is an on-demand curb-to-curb service that has spiked in ridership in the last two years.

Uber provides an overwhelming majority of the service lineup, but its current contract is scheduled to end in April and a new contract has not been reached.

TransDev, the “dedicated” operator of GoLink, is already at capacity, and adding capacity would cost $3 million per month, staff said. If these capacity needs are not met wait times and customer experience will be heavily compromised.

Some board members suggested exploring other providers. Staff said Uber was the provider that was the only contractor able to meet needs in 2020 when the contract was made, and that additional options are being explored in the active procurement process.

Ultimately, a temporary extension was approved to last until June as contract talks continue.

About the DART Board:

The DART Board of Directors is the governing body that oversees the Dallas Area Rapid Transit metro system.

The 15 members are appointed by the cities they represent.

Dallas Documenter Selwa Moharram attended the Feb. 25 Committee of the Whole and Board public meetings, and this brief emerged from her notes. Click here to read Montemayor‘s full notes, and here to learn how you can become a paid Documenter at public meetings.