Two New Services Just Launched After DART Cut Two Long-Standing Bus Routes

If you’ve heard people mention a new shuttle in Las Colinas lately, there’s a good chance they’re actually talking about one of two different services that launched around the same time in 2026 — and the distinction matters if you’re trying to use either one.

Why This Change Happened

DART discontinued bus routes 225 and 255 in February 2026, identifying them as underperforming routes. Those routes had previously connected Irving riders to several DART rail stations, which left a real gap for commuters who depended on them. The City of Irving responded by partnering with Via, a private microtransit operator, to launch a replacement service.

The Two New Services, Side by Side

• The Irving Connector — a fixed-route service following the original 225 and 255 corridors, no reservation needed, running ADA-compliant vans that seat up to nine. It costs $1.50 per ride (valid for two hours), runs 5 a.m. to midnight, and arrives every 35 to 60 minutes. The first two weeks, June 10 through June 24, 2026, were free. It’s funded through a revenue-sharing arrangement the city negotiated with DART.
• The Loop at Las Colinas — a completely separate, free circulator that launched July 6, 2026, running a figure-eight route along Las Colinas Boulevard and Lake Carolyn Parkway, with through-access at O’Connor Road and Promenade Parkway. It runs 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., arrives every 15 to 30 minutes, seats 10, and needs no app or reservation — you can track it in real time through Citymapper.

What This Means for You

If you live or work in the Las Colinas Urban Center, the Loop is the one to know about — it’s built specifically to close the walking gap between parking, offices, and the Urban Center’s restaurants and attractions, which is a genuine quality-of-life detail worth factoring in if you’re weighing a move to that area. If you’re a daily commuter who used to rely on DART routes 225 or 255 to reach a rail station, the Irving Connector is the one you actually need, and it’s worth confirming whether your existing DART pass works with it before assuming it’s a like-for-like replacement.

Not Everyone’s Cheering

The rollout hasn’t been friction-free. At least one longtime rider has pointed out that the new payment system doesn’t integrate cleanly with existing DART fare pass programs, which particularly affects commuters who depended on those bundled passes to make routes 225 and 255 effectively free. It’s a fair concern, and one worth watching as the service settles in — a $1.50-per-ride fare is a real change for anyone who was riding those routes at no additional cost before.

FAQ

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What’s the Difference Between the Irving Connector and The Loop at Las Colinas?

The Irving Connector ($1.50/ride) replaces DART’s cut routes 225 and 255 for daily commuters. The Loop at Las Colinas is a separate, free circulator built for getting around the Urban Center itself — different purpose, different route, different price.

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Why Did DART Cut Routes 225 and 255?

DART identified both routes as underperforming and discontinued them in February 2026, prompting the City of Irving to partner with Via to launch a replacement.

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How Much Does the New Irving Connector Cost?

$1.50 per ride, valid for two hours, after an initial free period from June 10 through June 24, 2026.

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If Las Colinas’ walkability and commute options are part of what you’re weighing for a move to Irving, we’d love to talk through what that actually looks like day to day.