STAR Transit is celebrating its one-year anniversary of providing public transportation in the City of DeSoto. In April 2018, with the support of the DeSoto City Council and the North Central Texas Regional Transportation Council, STAR Transit began serving the City of DeSoto with demand response, curb-to-curb service as well as a commuter bus route.

“Mobility is one of the most critical factors to DeSoto’s continued success. The services that STAR Transit has provided over the past year are greatly appreciated and definitely help us to move forward,” said DeSoto Mayor Curtistene S. McCowan. “The service along DeSoto’s Route 501 not only makes it easier for our residents to run errands, or connect to other transportation hubs, but also the frequent stops at our industrial parks help many get to work or even seek out new employment opportunities.”

Route 501 serves the City of DeSoto, including area industrial parks with stops located at the Kohl’s e-Fulfillment Center and Wal-Mart Distribution. The route also accesses Methodist Charlton Medical Center and the UNT Dallas Station on the DART Rail Blue Line. This service also connects DeSoto to multiple cities located in the inland port area with transfer points at The Crossing Shopping Center and the UNT Dallas Station on the Hutchins Shuttle Route 401.

Omega Hawkins, STAR Transit Executive Director, said, “We are proud to be partnering with the City of DeSoto to provide our services to seniors, families and those wanting affordable, dependable transportation to their jobs. “Public transportation is an important factor in a community’s quality of life. It supports job generation and sustainability. DeSoto’s path forward is definitely one of positive, managed growth,” Hawkins continued.

According to research data from the American Public Transportation Association, a total of 87% of the trips taken using public transit contributes positively to the local economy,

For the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the City Council has opted to contract services for one Demand Response bus and one bus that operates bus route 501. If popularity in the services persists, modifications to existing services will be sought for fiscal year 2019-2020 and beyond.

For more information about STAR Transit and the DeSoto services, visit www.STARtransit.org or call 877-631-5278 during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Kim Britton, Chief Communications Officer, STAR Transit
469-474-2371, [email protected]

Matt Smith, Communications Manager, City of DeSoto
469-636-9744, [email protected]