Controversial DART service changes approved, to be implemented in December

The Delaware Transit Corp. on Tuesday announced that controversial proposals to reroute popular buses away from Rodney Square in Wilmington have been approved, among other service changes for the statewide bus service.

The new service moves routes, such as the 6, 10 and 15, away from the square, which lies in the center of Wilmington's business district. It will be implemented on Dec. 17.

Details of the changes can be found on DART's website.

While the changes will reduce downtown congestion, according to DART officials, some transit riders complained at a September public meeting that the new service would make riding the bus less convenient as stops would be farther from destinations.

Riders and business owners at the meeting engaged in a sometimes rancorous debate over the proper role of transit in the core Delaware's largest city, with comments touching on the stark socio-economic divisions within the city.

"Y'all so concerned about these lawyers and the people with the businesses," said bus rider Darrell Anderson at the meeting. "I think you should do more with your money for the youth and the city."

Named for Delaware founding father Caesar Rodney, the square sits in the middle of Wilmington's business district surrounded by banks, law firms and the former DuPont building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

On any given day, workers wearing business suits walk through the public space alongside others waiting for buses that often line up, idling, alongside the park.

The square was built "to improve social order by including more beauty in the urban landscape," according to a city website.

STORY: Rodney Square renovation to kick off

Five years ago, DART floated a separate idea to move buses off of Rodney Square, but "there was a lot of opposition because we were going to put everything on Shipley Street, which was too much on a small street," DART CEO John Sisson said.

In addition to service changes around Rodney Square, DART also will combine several routes, including the 1 and 22, the 4 and 24, the 10 and 23, and the 18 and 21.

Additionally, a proposal to cut Route 15 bus service through the Jefferson Farms neighborhood was rescinded as a result of rider input, according to DART.

Contact Karl Baker at kbaker@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2329. Follow him on Twitter @kbaker6.