Posted on May, 31 2023
DART has expanded transit options in several communities this June with the addition of two new DART On Demand zones, one in north Des Moines and one in West Des Moines, route map changes for Local Route 52 adding service onto University Avenue, as well as removing service along 60th and University Avenue on Local Route 72. These and other minor schedule changes went into effect as part of DART’s June service change which began on Sunday, June 11, 2023.
DART On Demand River Bend
DART received funding from The Principal® Financial Group Foundation, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Department of Transportation to create a new on-demand service in north Des Moines. This DART On Demand zone serves the neighborhoods of River Bend, Oakridge, King Irving, Mondamin Presidential and Chautauqua Park.
- Service hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Cost per ride: $1.75 per ride for full fare, and $0.75 per ride for riders who qualify for Half Fare or Ride to Thrive.
Trips can be booked in real-time (on-demand) or scheduled in advance using:
- the DART On Demand mobile app,
- web app
- or by calling DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100, select option 0.
Click on the below map image to expand. Printed brochures are available on buses and at DART Central Station. To learn more about the DART On Demand service including frequently asked questions, click here. Find a PDF of the brochure for this service here.
DART On Demand Jordan Creek
A new DART On Demand zone provides service and first/last mile solutions to riders in West Des Moines, connecting them with existing transit stops and destinations located near Jordan Creek Town Center and Grand Avenue including the DMACC West Campus and the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. This DART On Demand zone is funded through saved resources in West Des Moines created through the restructuring of Local Routes 52 and 72, described below, and schedule reductions to Express Routes 94, 95 and 96 DART made in June 2022.
- Service hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Cost per ride: $1.75 per ride for full fare, and $0.75 per ride for riders who qualify for Half Fare or Ride to Thrive.
Trips can be booked in real-time (on-demand) or scheduled in advance using:
- the DART On Demand mobile app,
- web app
- or by calling DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100, then select option 0.
Click on the below map image to expand for viewing. Print brochures are now available at DART Central Station and on buses. To learn more about DART On Demand, click here. Find a PDF of the brochure for this service here.
Map changes for Local Route 52 – Valley West/Jordan Creek
This route now travels along University Avenue between Valley West Mall and 60th Street in West Des Moines, before returning to the existing alignment at Jordan Creek Parkway and Vista Drive. This change helps to improve service on portions of University Avenue, increasing service to every 30 minutes instead of every 60 minutes. Travel time for riders traveling from DART Central Station to Jordan Creek Mall has slightly increased. Additionally, the route has also been renamed to Local Route 52 – Jordan Creek.
Click on the below map image to expand, and view the new schedule for Local Route 52 here. Printed route schedules can be found at DART Central Station and on DART’s buses, as well.
Map changes for Local Route 72 – West Des Moines Loop
A portion of the current routing of Local Route 72 has been eliminated and replaced by Local Route 52. The eliminated part of Local Route 72 is on University Avenue between Valley West Mall and 60th, 60th Street between 60th Street and EP True Pkwy, EP True Pkwy between 60th Street and 68th Street, and 68th Street between EP True Pkwy and Jordan Creek Town Center. Service on Local Route 72 now runs every 80 minutes instead of every hour. This reduction in service frequency was necessary to keep the addition of the new DART On Demand Jordan Creek service cost neutral in DART’s overall budget. Local Route 72 has also been renamed to Local Route 72 – WDM Valley.
Click on the map image below for expanded viewing, and view the new schedule for Local Route 72 here. Printed route schedules are located at DART Central Station and on DART’s buses.
Minor schedule changes
Additionally, DART made changes to Local Route 3 and Local Route 74 to better align with the new trip times for Local Routes 52 and 72, allowing for transfer opportunities between these routes at Valley West Mall. Express Routes 92, 95 and 96 also experienced minor changes to their schedules to improve how well these routes are able to stay on schedule, especially during peak commute times.
Click on the route numbers above to view new schedules for these routes. Printed route schedules are available at DART Central Station and on DART’s buses, also.
School service
DART removes select trips on certain Local Routes in the morning or afternoon that serve students traveling to and from school during the summer break. These trips will be restored in August to transport Des Moines Public Schools students and staff.