Dart Logistics has expanded their shuttle service to 50 stops including the capital and government complexes while also restructuring fares to be between $1 to $2.
Dart’s GM Siti Nor Syaahidah Hj Sahron said the new stops and fares went live on January 18. Dart Shuttle – which is a separate mobile application from their more popular Dart Car – now offers 50 stops within three zones.
Traveling between the zones is $2 a ride, while traveling within a zone is just $1. Dart Shuttle previously charged a flat rate of $2 when it launched in September last year with 27 stops surrounding Gadong and Kiulap.
Dart Shuttle’s three zones are the city centre – covering Gadong, Kiulap as well as RIPAS and One Riverside; the newly added Bandar (capital) – stretching from St. Andrews Church to Tarindak; and government – which covers state buildings along Jln Menteri Besar and extends to ICC and Supa Save Mabohai.
Dart’s shuttle service is positioned as an alternative to public buses, sharing the pooling concept but differing by not having a pre-determined route, with users able to order vans to pick up and drop them off at any of the designated sites.
Operating hours are from 11am to 7pm daily except for Friday, where it runs from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 7pm.
Dart’s GM said they currently employ 11 drivers to operate their own leased shuttle fleet consisting of four, six-seater vans. Their current capacity is close to 400 rides daily, which Dart may expand depending on demand.
“We introduced Dart Shuttle with individual travelers in mind. With the standard Dart Car the starting fee for a ride is $5 (for the first 5km), but it’s for the whole car, meaning yourself and up to three people with you,” said Siti Nor Syaahidah.
“If you’re traveling alone it can be expensive. With Dart Shuttle the rate (of $1 to $2) is per person, so if you’re traveling alone, the shuttle is a much cheaper option.”
Nationwide shuttle service and rebounding after pandemic
Long-term plans for Dart Shuttle include expanding to key sites such as the airport and universities, as well as travel between districts.
However any further expansion to the shuttle stops will have to be guided by market demand, with the public’s response to the initial 27 stops launched last year still relatively modest.
Custom shuttle services, for weddings, corporates, and other large group travel is also being considered.
Dart Car continues to be the main driver for the company, which has now nearly climbed back to their daily average before the pandemic of 500 plus rides.
Rides on Dart Shuttle in comparison are currently less than a fifth of that figure, though Dart is optimistic the addition of the new routes and lowering of fares will pull more users on board.
Dart’s GM also shared that they kept their business afloat during the pandemic – which saw Dart Car heavily affected by social distancing measures and the travel ban – by fulfilling delivery orders for a number of businesses including multi-national logistic corporations based in Brunei.
The demand for delivery from these businesses has since lowered as restrictions eased, but business in other verticals – especially those popular before the pandemic – has picked up.
Dart’s school run service, where Dart assigns a dedicated driver to pick up and drop off students from a household on school days, is gaining traction. Fees are calculated based on distance, but generally range from $150 up to $600 monthly.
The Dart Car app is also targeted for an upgrade within the year, which is expected to cut down the time it takes for drivers to accept user requests by making improvements to how ride requests are broadcasted.
Dart currently has a pool of 382 drivers, with 130 being full-time.
