Please reference this list of frequently asked questions while using the MyDART app. If you have any further questions, please contact DART Customer Service directly by calling 515-283-8100, emailing dart@ridedart.com or visiting in-person at DART Central Station, 620 Cherry Street, Des Moines.
- Account Questions
- Payment Questions
- Bus Pass Questions
- Activating Bus Passes
- Activating a Bus Pass
- Transfers
- Trip Planner Questions
Account Questions
How do I get the MyDART app?
Click the links below for your phone type or search “MyDART” in the app store of your phone. The MyDART app icon has an orange background with a purple “d” in the middle.
- Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.bytemark.mydart
- iOS (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mydart-des-moines/id1294661597?mt=8
How do I create an account in the MyDART app?
You can create an account using your email address. You must create an account before you can buy a bus pass. This allows for customer service to identify your account and perform certain actions on your behalf, including refunds.
Can I use the MyDART app if I ride using an employer or school ID?
The MyDART app will be available in the future for people who ride free through work or school. Until then, you can use the MyDART app for trip planning and next bus times. Please continue to use your work or school ID to pay fare.
How do I use the app if I ride DART at half fare?
The first step is to create an account in the MyDART app. The next step is to go to the Customer Service window at DART Central Station. A representative will add the reduced fare to your MyDART account. The passes will show up shortly after you speak with Customer Service.
How do I use the app if I ride DART through the OTT program?
Unfortunately, Opportunities Thru Transit (OTT) is not available in the MyDART app. Please continue to buy your printed pass at DART Central Station.
What if I forgot my username and/or password?
There is a link to reset your username and/or password on the main sign-in page when you open the MyDART app.
How do I change my account information? (Password, payment method, email address, etc.)
From the main menu, select “Settings”. You can update your profile information, change your payment method and change your password through this page.
How do I pay for bus passes in the MyDART app?
Debit or credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash can be used to buy bus passes on the MyDART app. American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards are accepted credit or debit cards.. If you use cash or check to pay for DART, please continue to purchase at DART Central Station or the pass sales outlets.
Can I pay cash for bus passes in the MyDART app?
Yes, you can purchase bus passes in the MyDART app using cash. Cash is accepted at DART Central Station’s customer service window and at a network of third-party retailers. Learn more here.
Can I get a refund?
Bus passes are non-refundable. If you purchased a bus pass and do not see it in your available tickets, please contact DART Customer Service.
What DART services can I ride with the MyDART app?
You can ride Local, Express, Flex, On Call and Paratransit services with the MyDART app.
What types of bus passes can I purchase with the MyDART app?
The same bus passes you swipe at the front of the bus are available as mobile bus passes. However, there are two differences between the MyDART app bus passes and the swipe bus passes:
- A day pass is available in the MyDART app and will be available in printed form in August 2018.
- Weekly and monthly bus passes will be replaced by 7-day and 31-passes in the MyDART app. These can be activated on your schedule instead of the first of the week or month.
What is the day bus pass and how do I use it?
The day pass is a new bus pass available in the MyDART app and can be used unlimited times during the day until expiration. It will expire at approx. 3 a.m. after it’s activated. For example, if you activated your day pass on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m., it would expire in 13 hours or early-morning Tuesday at 3 a.m.
What are 7-day and 31-day bus passes? How are they different from weekly or monthly bus passes?
Bus passes in the MyDART app are 7-day and 31-day passes, meaning you can start using them on your schedule instead of the first of the week or month. For example, if you purchased a 31-day pass on the MyDART app, it would expire 31 days after you activate it. In the MyDART app, you do not need to purchase your pass on the 1st of the month or 1st day of the week to get the full use.
Will the price of current DART bus passes change?
No. The current prices of DART bus passes will not change on the MyDART app.
Can I buy and use multiple passes at the same time for myself or family and friends?
Yes. You can buy multiple bus passes for yourself or for multiple people. If you are buying multiple passes for yourself, activate the passes as you need them. If you are buying multiple passes for you and family or friends, you need to show the bus operator separate, activated tickets for each individual.
How do I activate a bus pass?
After you have made a purchase, go to "tickets" from the main menu. Select the ticket you would like to use. Tap the purple button at the bottom of the screen to activate the pass. You will see an animation when the bus pass is activated. The expiration date and time will display at the bottom of the bus pass.
How do I transfer using the app?
Transfers are not available in the MyDART app. This is because when you activate a bus pass, it is activated for 2 hours. When you are ready to get onto your second bus, open up the same activated ticket and show the bus operator. It will stay activated for 2 hours after initial activation.
Do I need an internet connection to buy or use tickets?
You will need an internet connection to buy and activate bus passes. Once the pass is activated, you do not need an internet connection to use it to board the bus.
How will I know when my bus pass expires?
The expiration date and time is displayed at the bottom of your bus pass. If your pass expires after you have already gotten on the bus, you may remain on the bus to complete your trip but you won’t be allowed board another bus without a new bus pass. The expiration countdown begins AFTER activating your bus pass. It does not begin after purchase. For example, if you purchased a 7-day bus pass on December 1st, but you activated your pass on December 7th, it would expire 7 days after activation, on December 14th.
What if my phone battery dies?
Please make sure you have enough charge to last your entire trip. Every rider is responsible for showing proof of valid bus fare to DART operators or fare inspectors.
I got a new phone recently and my bus pass is not showing up in my MyDART account. What do I do?
Your bus pass is not showing up on your new phone because once a bus pass is activated, it is automatically saved to that device. If this is your case, please contact DART Customer Service. If you know you will be getting a new phone, make sure you save your bus passes to the “Cloud” through the app. You can do this through the settings of the app under “ticket storage”
What is ticket storage?
There are two options for storing your bus pass.
- Storing on your device: When you purchase a bus pass, it is automatically saved to your device. This is recommended because it allows you to view your bus passes without an internet connection.
- Storing in the cloud: You must go into ticket storage in the settings to store your bus pass in the cloud. When your bus passes are in the cloud, they will only be available to you when you are connected to the internet. Storing to the cloud is recommended only if you were to get a new phone.
Do I need to create an account to use the Trip Planner?
No. You only need to create an account if you are using the MyDART app for purchasing bus passes.
What if no trips are found after entering my starting point and destination?
The MyDART Trip Planner will only show trips with walking distances less than 3/4 mile from a bus stop. If no trips are found, please contact DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100 or dart@ridedart.com to go over options. You can also click on the “
“button to edit the options and increase your walking distance to the next bus stop up to 2 miles.
Park & Rides are available across the region and can be found here: http://ridedart.com/how-to-ride/park-and-ride.
What if my bus is on detour?
The MyDART Trip Planner cannot reflect a bus on detour. This is because detours often occur with short notice during street closures or maintenance. If you are viewing departures at detoured bus stop, the MyDART app will show the scheduled time, making it look like a bus is approaching the stop when it is not.
The best way to know if your bus is on detour is to sign up for DART’s email alerts. You will receive an email in advance of any detour, should your route need to detour for any reason, such as an event or construction projects. Detour signs are also posted on the bus stop pole of affected stops.
How do the moving buses on the map work?
The moving bus icons are not an exact location of the bus, but rather an estimation of where the bus should be at any given time. If the bus is behind or ahead of its actual location (i.e., stopped at a red light), the bus will adjust about once every minute when new real time data is available. It is best to think of the moving buses as an estimation or where your bus should be, but do not rely on it for when the bus will actually arrive at your stop. If you do not want to see the moving buses, click on the purple bus icon in the top right under the Map Options so that the button turns grey.
How do I change the map settings in the MyDART Trip Planner?
In the top-right corner of the map, there is a bus icon where you can toggle the moving buses on and off. Above the bus icon, there is settings icon for adjusting what you see on the map. Within the map options, you can choose to view the route network, Park & Rides, malls and more popular destinations.