Reduced Fare

As part of DART’s mission to improve citizens’ quality of life in Central Iowa, DART offers a variety of reduced-fare programs to improve access to public transit for all residents.  Senior Citizen's, persons with a disability, Medicare card holders, Veterans with a service connected disability, students in middle and high school, and refugees can ride DART at a reduced rate through one of DART’s reduced fare programs.
 

Persons with Disability Program:

Passengers with disabilities can inquire about DART’s Reduced Fare Program by calling 515.283.8100 or by stopping by DART’s office at 1100 DART Way in Des Moines. They will need to fill out an application and provide documentation of their disability. There are four ways to show eligibility:

  • Proof of Social Security disability payments from the federal government, such as a copy of award letter or check;
  • Medicare card;
  • Have a family Physician fill out the Agency Certification section of the application.
  • Have a service connected veteran’s ID;

Once an applicant is approved, the individual will receive a purple and white identification card from DART that says REDUCED FARE. The card may or may not have an expiration date depending on the nature of the holder’s disability.

With the DART ID card, the individual is eligible to use DART services for reduced fare. The individual may purchase a reduced fare monthly, weekly, or express plus bus pass, reduced fare tokens, or pay cash at a reduced fare reduced rate.

EVERY APPLICANT MUST SHOW A CURRENT PHOTO ID TO BE APPROVED

Certain conditions apply:

  • DART ID card and a photo ID must be shown to purchase reduced fare passes or tokens, as well as to pay reduced cash fares on buses.
  • The DART ID card is not transferable to people other than the card holder.
  • Improper use of the DART ID card will result in the loss of card privileges.
  • The DART ID cards may be used to purchase only one monthly bus pass per month or one weekly pass per week.

 

Senior Citizen's Program:

Passengers can inquire about the Reduced Fare Program for seniors by calling 515.283.8100 or by stopping by DART’s office at 1100 DART Way, Des Moines. Individuals must be 65 years old or older to qualify and are required to present a current photo ID that includes a date of birth. Applicants can send a copy of their current photo ID if mailing their application.

Once an applicant is approved for the Senior Program the applicant will receive a purple-and-white DART Identification Card that says REDUCED FARE. The senior ID Cards will not have an expiration date.

With the DART ID card the individual is eligible to use DART services for reduced fare. The individual may purchase a reduced fare monthly, weekly or express plus bus pass, reduced fare tokens, or pay cash at a reduced fare.

Certain conditions apply:

  • DART ID card and a photo ID must be shown to purchase reduced fare passes or tokens, as well as to pay reduced cash fares on buses.
  • The DART ID card is not transferable to people other than the card holder.
  • Improper use of the DART ID card will result in the loss of card privileges.
  • The DART ID cards may be used to purchase only one monthly bus pass per month or one weekly pass per week. 

 

Student Program:

Students of middle schools and high schools in Polk County, both public and private, are eligible to purchase DART passes at a reduced rate simply by showing their student IDs at any of DART's pass-sales outlets. Unlike other reduced-fare programs, students do not need separate IDs from DART.

Certain conditions apply:

  • Students must show a current-year ID from a middle school or high school, public or private, within Polk County.
  • Parents may purchase passes for their children. The students do not need to be present; however, the parent must have the student's ID.
  • Students need to show their student IDs to the bus operator when boarding the bus.
  • Reduced-fare passes are not transferable. 

For more information about DART's Reduced Fare Program for Students, call 515.283.8100 or stop by DART's office at 1100 DART Way in Des Moines.

 

Refugee Program:

Passengers can inquire about DART's Reduced Fare Program for Refugees at any of the participating refugee-service agencies.

Participating agencies include:

  • Lutheran Services in Iowa
  • Bureau of Refugee Services
  • Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa
  • Iowa Department of Human Rights Office of Asian and Island Pacific Islander Affairs
  • Catholic Charities
  • U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

They will need to fill out an application and prove their refugee status with form I-94 and photo ID or green card. Eligible refugees will receive a Reduced Fare ID card from DART, which they can use to purchase bus passes at a reduced rate at any pass-sales outlet. The Reduced Fare ID card will be good for five years.

Certain restrictions apply:

  • Refugees using reduced-fare passes will need to show their Reduced Fare ID card to the bus operator when boarding a bus.
  • Reduced-fare passes are not transferable.
  • Improper use of the ID will result in the loss of card privileges.

For more information about the Reduced Fare Program for Refugees, call 515.283.8100 or visit DART's office at 1100 DART Way in Des Moines.