Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority
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| Areas Served | Des Moines, IA and surrounding region |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Fleet Size | 136 (98 Fixed Route buses & 38 On Call/Paratransit buses) |
| Service Types | Fixed-route, Flex Route, On Call, Dial-A-Ride |
| Ridership | 4,795,018 (2015, annual) |
| Union | ATU Local 441 |
| Website | ridedart.com |
| @ridedart | |
| @ridedart | |
| @ridedart | |
| YouTube | youtube.com/ridedart |
Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) serves the city of Des Moines, Iowa. Service is also provided to the cities of Alleman, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Elkhart, Granger, Grimes, Johnston, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Runnells, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights. DART is the largest public transit system in the state of Iowa. [1]
History
Iowa Regional Transit Corporation previously operated transit service from 1970-1973 and Des Moines Transit Company from 1954-1970.
In 2006, local and state leaders created the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority to improve upon the existing Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) in order to create a more regional transit system. [1]
Routes
Local Routes
- 1 - Fairgrounds
- 3 - University
- 4 - E 14th St.
- 5 - Franklin Ave./Johnston (Available Monday to Friday only)
- 6 - Indianola
- 7 - SW 9th St.
- 8 - Fleur Dr. (Available Monday to Friday only)
- 10 - East University (Available Monday to Friday only)
- 11 - Ingersoll/Valley Junction (Available Monday to Friday only)
- 13 - Southeast Park Avenue Circulator (Available Monday to Friday only in one direction)
- 14 - Beaver Ave.
- 15 - 6th Ave.
- 16 - Douglas Ave.
- 17 - Hubbell Ave./Altoona
- 50 - Euclid/Douglas Crosstown (Available Monday to Friday only)
- 52 - Jordan Creek
- 60 - University/Ingersoll
- 72 - West Des Moines Valley
- 74 - NW Urbandale
Express Routes
Express routes are only available Monday to Friday during peak hours.
- 92 - Hickman Express
- 93 - Northwest 86th Street Express
- 94 - Westown Express
- 95 - Vista Express
- 96 - EP True Express
- 98 - Ankeny Express
- 99 - Altoona Express
Shuttles
Shuttle service is only available Monday to Friday.
- The LINK/Center Street Park & Ride
- D-Line Shuttle
Cities with On Call Service
- Alleman
- Ankeny
- Bondurant
- Carlisle
- Granger
- Grimes
- Mitchellville
- Polk City
Fares and Passes
Fares
The following fares are charged on the various services DART operates: [2]
| Type | Adult | Half Fare | Full Fare Token | Half Fare Token | Children 6-10 | Children 5 and Under |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Fares | $1.75 | $0.75 | Token (10/$17.50) | Token (10/$7.50) | $0.75 | Free |
| Express Fares | $2.00 | $0.75 | Token (10/$17.50) + $0.25 | Token (10/$7.50) | $0.75 | Free |
| On Call Fares | $3.50 | $0.75 | 2 Tokens (10/$17.50) | Token (10/$7.50) | $0.75 | Free |
| Shuttle Fares | Free | |||||
Unlimited Ride Passes
| Type | Price | Half Fare Price |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | $16.00 | $7.00 |
| Monthly | $48.00 | $24.00 |
| Monthly Express Plus | $58.00 | $29.00 |
| Day Pass | $4.00 | |
Facilities
Garage
- Address: 1100 Dart Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
- Phone: 515-283-8100
DART Central Station/Customer Service
- Address: 620 Cherry Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Fixed-Route Fleet Roster
Active
On Order
| Fleet Number(s) |
Thumbnail | Build Date |
Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2506-2509 | 2025 | Gillig | Low Floor Plus 29' (G27E102R2) |
| |||
| 2510-2519 | 2025 | Gillig | Low Floor Plus 40' (G27D102N4) |
|
Retired
Flex/On Call/Paratransit Roster
Active
| Fleet Number(s) | Thumbnail | Build Date |
Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1401-1410 | 
|
2014 | Freightliner Champion |
M2 Defender |
Cummins ISB6.7 | ||
| 1601-1606 | 
|
2016 | Freightliner Champion |
M2 Defender |
Cummins ISB6.7 | ||
| 1701-1706 |  
|
2017 | Freightliner Champion |
M2 Defender |
Cummins ISB6.7 | ||
| 1801-1806 |  
|
2018 | Freightliner Champion |
M2 Defender |
Cummins B6.7 | ||
| 1901-1906 | 
|
2019 | Freightliner Champion |
M2 Defender |
Cummins B6.7 | ||
| 2305-2311 | 
|
2023 | Ram New England Wheels |
ProMaster Frontrunner LFXLT |
|||
| 2401-2405 | 2024 | Ram New England Wheels |
ProMaster Frontrunner LFXLT |
||||
| 2501-2505 | 2025 | Ram New England Wheels |
ProMaster Frontrunner LFXLT |
Retired
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 About DART, ridedart.com, retrieved 07-27-2014
- ↑ Bus Fares ridedart.com/fares, retrieved 09-27-2023
- ↑ Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority Exercises Options For Fourteen 40-Foot Xcelsior Diesel Buses, New Flyer Industries. Dated June 3, 2016, retrieved on July 20, 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Request for Proposal FY17-R-006 for Fareboxes and Automated Fare Collection System (pgs. 17-19), Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority. Retrieved on May 30, 2017.
- ↑ https://www.kcci.com/article/electric-dart-buses-des-moines-iowa/42194278
- ↑ https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/04/08/desmoines-transit-scraps-electric-bus-fleet