5 Cities with the Worst Public Transportation in the US

3. Dallas, Texas

Mobility Innovation Index: 72.09

Public Transit Commute Time (mins): 51.20

Insider Monkey Score: 5.00

Despite its recognizable yellow buses and extensive light rail network spanning 93 miles, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) struggles to meet the transit needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region, where car dependency is prevalent. Despite substantial investments totaling $10.8 billion since 1999, the organization has faced challenges, with only 19% of DFW residents utilizing public transit, reflecting the system’s underperformance. One significant issue with DART is its infrequent service, with trains running every 20 minutes outside of peak hours, contrasting with more frequent schedules in cities like Boston and London. The bus network also exhibits low frequencies, with only a few routes operating every 15 minutes, leading to long wait times and complexities in the system’s design, particularly in Downtown Dallas, where bottlenecks impede efficient transfer options.