Transit benefits

Central Iowans are on the move – using DART to get to places that matter.

12,000 rides on a typical weekday

Every day, we help residents make moves to steady jobs, stable housing, better health, or wherever they aim to go.

 3.5 million rides each year

Every year, we help our region make moves to a stronger economy, growing businesses, and inclusive neighborhoods.
 

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Learn more about public transit and DART by signing up for our Making Moves newsletter. 

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Here’s why public transit is a solution to support a thriving Greater Des Moines (and why other Midwest cities are doubling down on their investment). 
 

RELIABLE WORKFORCE

Making moves to a good job

Nearly 3 out of every 5 trips on DART connect central Iowans to work. 

 

Making moves to a stronger workforce

Nearly 80% of leaders express concern that Iowa will not be able to meet its workforce needs under current strategies and practices. 

• Employers, like Kemin, are investing in public transit to recruit and retain a workforce. Here’s why. 

 

ECONOMIC GROWTH

 

Making moves to a robust local economy

Nearly 9 out of every 10 trips on DART allow people to earn or spend money. 

 

Making moves to business expansion

Every $1 invested in public transit generates $5 in economic returns.

• Transit service is a basic requirement for large employers when selecting sites. Bondurant attracted Amazon, in part, because it was a member of DART and committed to offering transit service to its facility.

INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

 

Making moves to independence

For many riders, DART is the only way they can travel, and the need is growing. 

• 60% of 18-year-olds had driver’s licenses in 2021, down from 80% in 1983. (Federal Highway Administration)
   
• Greater Des Moines’ 65+ population is expected to nearly double in the next 30 years. (U.S. Census)

DART serves a higher percentage of individuals who have lower incomes, have a disability, come from marginalized communities, or are veterans than the overall population. 

 

Who Rides DART? 

 

 

Making moves to savings

Central Iowans spend, on average, more than $11,000 per year on transportation.

• 85% of those who ride DART have a total household income of less than $50,000 a year. 

 

 

IMPROVED HEALTH

 

Making moves to stability

People struggling with homelessness or other challenges are able to get to services and jobs that help them build stability and thrive. 

“It’s important for a lot of people that stay in the shelter. I’m moving into an apartment soon and I’ll be making money, but the bus is important to me because the fact is, I’m not going to be able to afford a car. I wouldn’t have another way to get to work.” 
-- Sonja

DART helps refugees resettle in Greater Des Moines

 

Making moves to well-being

Public transit improves access to healthy food, medical care and other places that promote health and well-being.
   

BETTER EDUCATION

 

Making moves to graduate

Safe, accessible and reliable transportation supports strong school attendance. 

• DART provides an average of 2,500 trips to DMPS students each weekday.
   

Making moves to a career

 

More than 130,000 trips on DART each year are students and staff at major local universities, which provide Unlimited Access to public transit.

 

Read Leetal's story on our blog.

 

REDUCED CONGESTION

 

Making moves to a better commute

Improvements in public transportation services can help lessen traffic on roads, leading to improved travel for those who drive.

• Traveling by public transit is 10 times safer per mile than traveling by car. 

 

HEALTHIER PLANET

 

Making moves to address climate change

Public transportation in the U.S. saved enough carbon dioxide emissions in 2018—the equivalent of taking 16 coal power plants offline for a year. 

• An individual riding public transit in 2018 contributed to 55% lower CO2 emissions by using public transit than would have been done through driving or ridehailing alone. 

View the Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long-range plan for a greener Greater Des Moines, which emphasizes investments that reduce reliance on single-occupancy cars.