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DART Collecting Public Feedback on Major Service Changes

April 16, 2018

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is collecting input from the public as it plans to make major changes to its service in August 2018. These proposed changes include:

  1. adding service along Euclid and Douglas Avenues in north Des Moines through DART’s first-ever crosstown route;
  2. making major schedule changes to start service earlier and improve midday frequency for riders on many Local Routes;
  3. re-routing Local Route 10 – East University to serve Iowa Lutheran Hospital; and
  4. updating schedules to reflect new bell times for Des Moines Public School District (DMPS) students.

Public Input Options

DART is seeking input from the public on these changes to ensure we are providing the best service possible.

Online

An online survey available on ridedart.com.

Email

Comments can be emailed to dart@ridedart.com.

Public Meetings

DART staff is hosting three public meetings: two in-person and one online via Facebook Live. These are scheduled for:

  • Monday, April 16 at 6 p.m. in Principal Group Conference Room A in the Student Center on Grand View University’s Campus.
  • Tuesday, April 17 at noon via Facebook Live. Visit DART’s Facebook page at that time. Questions and comments can be submitted while the video is live and prior to the meeting by commenting on DART’s post and Facebook event about the meeting, commenting on the live video feed, or by messaging DART’s Facebook account.
  • Wednesday, April 18 at noon in the Multimodal Room on the 2nd floor of DART Central Station.

Information Events

DART will have staff available at a variety of locations in the metro to answer questions about the proposed changes and distribute materials. These events will be held:

  • Wednesday, April 18, 2018 from 2 to 5 p.m. at DART Central Station (620 Cherry St)
  • Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Java Joes Coffeehouse (4944 Douglas Ave)
  • Thursday, April 19, 2018 on board DART Local Routes 3 and 52
  • Friday, April 20, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Polk County River Place (2309 Euclid Ave)
  • Monday, April 23, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on board DART Local Route 17

Riders who need language, visual and hearing or transportation services for DART’s public meetings are asked to contact DART Customer Service prior to the meeting by emailing dart@ridedart.com or calling 515-283-8100.

Proposed August 2018 Service Changes

1. Local Route 50 — New Euclid Crosstown

DART is proposing to begin service on its first-ever crosstown route in August 2018. This route will travel east and west along Euclid and Douglas Avenues in north Des Moines between E 42nd Street and Merle Hay Road, allowing riders to travel along the corridor without having to come downtown to transfer routes at DART Central Station.

DART is planning for service to operate every 40 minutes on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. This new route will travel past transfer points for seven other Local Routes.

Map DSM DART

2. Major schedule changes to improve frequency and begin service earlier on key Local Routes

DART staff has been evaluating service on all routes and is proposing changes to schedules to provide better service throughout the day to our riders. The proposed changes include starting service on some Local Routes earlier on weekdays so area employees can get to work by 6 a.m., and providing more mid-day frequency on several Local Routes. Proposed frequency changes for impacted routes are available now on ridedart.com.

3. Route modification for Local Route 10 — East University

DART is proposing changes to Local Route 10 — University Avenue to expand coverage in Des Moines. The proposed route would serve Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and would not travel to the Iowa State Capitol Complex. The discontinued portion of the route would still be served by other DART routes.

Map DSM DART

4. Adjustments to school-related trip times

DART is adjusting schedule times for school-related trips to provide transportation for middle and high school students in the Des Moines Public School (DMPS) District that matches the new school start and end times adopted earlier this year.

About Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART)

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is the public transportation provider in and around Polk County. DART operates a family of transportation services that connects thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment and more. For more information about DART services, schedules, route changes, or directions to the nearest DART stop, visit the website at ridedart.com or call (515) 283-8100.