DART will provide free rides to Central Iowa Shelter Services (CISS), Bethel Mission, and approved Polk County warming centers beginning at noon on Friday, December 12. Free rides to these locations will continue through noon on Monday, December 15, while Polk County's Extreme Temperature Plan is active.
Ride to a Warming Center on a Local Route
To access a warming center on DART Local Routes:
- Identify a daytime warming center near you and the bus route to get there.
- As you board the bus, tell the driver you're heading to a warming center.
- Notify the driver at the bus stop nearest the warming center when you need to exit the bus.
Ride to Warming Center through DART Paratransit
Bus Plus approved riders can request a ride to a warming center by calling DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100.
Stay Safe in Dangerously Cold Temperatures
The effects of freezing temperatures can be so gradual that it can be difficult to tell when you're at risk for cold-related injuries.
- Be proactive. Don't wait until your face, hands, or toes are numb to get help. Frostbite can develop quickly. Seek shelter later in the day before temperatures fall to their lowest levels.
- Find a center near you. Look at the list of approved emergency warming centers so you're aware of the safest places to be during extreme cold.
- Plan your trip. You can use the online MyDART Trip Planner on the MyDART app to find how to get to the warming center closest to you. Type in the location you are traveling from and the warming center address to see options for riding the bus to get there.
- Let us know. As your board the bus, tell the driver which approved warming center you're heading to so they can give you a ride for free.