Posted on December, 7 2022
Weekend service was added to Local Route 5 – Franklin Ave/Johnston as of Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. The addition of this service is part of a one-year pilot, made possible thanks to Principal® Foundation grant funding. This pilot is responsive to rider feedback requesting more weekend service and is one of several transportation solutions DART identified in its long-range planning effort, completed earlier this year.
This change is part of DART’s November service change, which also included changes to weekend schedules for Local Route 17 – Hubbell Ave/Altoona. Schedules for both routes are available using the links below or on the route webpages. Printed schedules are available at DART Central Station and on DART’s buses.
Local Route 5 – Franklin Ave/Johnston
This route runs approximately every hour, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays.
DART is working with the cities of Urbandale and Des Moines, and the new Anawim Housing facility located in the former Days Inn near the Interstate to add additional safe stops for riders to access along northern Merle Hay Road.
Please note that this change did not impact weekday schedules for Local Route 5. The first day of Sunday service on this route was Nov. 13, 2022, and the first day of Saturday service will be Nov. 19, 2022. Local Route 5 will have service on the day after Thanksgiving, but the route will follow a Saturday service schedule on this day (Nov. 25).
Click here to view the new schedule for Local Route 5.
Local Route 17 - Hubbell Ave/Altoona
Minor changes will occur on Local Route 17 weekend schedules. Click here to view the new schedule for Local Route 17.
Join us
DART is partnering with the Johnston Public Library to host a special How to Ride Training. Details on this event can be found on the library's website by clicking here.
- When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Where: Johnston Public Library (6700 Merle Hay Road, Johnston)
Finally, DART will be at the Johnston Town Center for their winter holiday event in December. Join us to learn about expanded weekend service in the community and be sure to have the family check out our bus at the event!
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When: Saturday, Dec. 3, 6-8 p.m.
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Where: Johnston Town Center (Merle Hay Rd & NW 62nd Ave)
Other outreach efforts
DART staff answered questions about Local Route 5 service and our November service change at DART Central Station on the following dates/times:
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Monday, Oct. 31 at 8:30 a.m.
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Thursday, Nov. 3 at 11:30 a.m.
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Thursday, Nov. 10 at 3:30 p.m.
DART partnered with the Franklin Ave Library to host a special How to Ride Training.
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When: Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
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Where: Des Moines Public Library – Franklin Branch (5000 Franklin Ave, Des Moines)
DART hosted a virtual public informational session to answer rider questions and go over schedule changes for Local Routes 5 and 17 with an emphasis on our new weekend service on Local Route 5 via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 27.
Questions?
DART is very excited to expand weekend transit access to northern Des Moines, eastern Urbandale and Johnston thanks to the grant funding provided by the Principal® Foundation. Anyone with questions about this partnership, or other changes that are part of DART’s November service change, are encouraged to contact DART Customer Service by:
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Visiting the window inside the DART Central Station lobby (620 Cherry Street, Des Moines)
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Emailing dart@ridedart.com
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Calling 515-283-8100 and selecting option 0