History
The Delta Area Rural Transit System opened in 1990 with two minivans. At the start, DARTS only offered transportation to people who needed medical care. IN 1993, DARTS won funding from the Mississippi State Department of Transportation. With the funds, DARTS seized the opportunity to open its buses to everyone. The rationale behind the expansion was simple. DARTS thought that the same people who need rides to doctor’s offices may also need reliable transportation to get to work. The system tailored its services to transport people going to and from jobs at local penitentiaries and casinos located along the Mississippi River.
Today, DARTS operates over 28 multi-passenger vehicles that connect people with promising jobs, training opportunities, shopping centers, childcare centers, and human services agencies in Coahoma, Desoto, Quitman, Panola, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Tunica Counties.
The phenomenal growth that DARTS has experienced is due to the following:
- Expansion of the regional job market and the related need for affordable employment transportation;
- Proactive coordination of services with employment agencies, local employers and human service agencies, and potential customers;
- Aggressive efforts to gain capital and operating funds from the various organization such as the Mississippi department of transportation, local municipalities, etc.
Cost of Services
DARTS charges minimal fees for one and two-way trips. Persons scheduling pre-arranged and repetitive trips sometimes ride at no cost. In these cases, the fares are paid by the Department of Human Services, Medicaid or Medicare. Seniors who utilize DARTS transportation system sometimes receive special discounts as a result of supplements offered by their county governments.
Target Population
DARTS serves people, groups, and businesses representing all ages, genders, economic, social and ethical backgrounds. |
