DART explores transit revamp amid financial hurdles

WHAT OR WHO THOSE WILL BE LEVIED AGAINST. BUS ROUTES AROUND DES MOINES COULD CHANGE STARTING NEXT SUMMER, AND DART WANTS TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK WILL WORK THE BEST. ��vlog’S PEPPER PEREIRA TALKED TO ONE OF THE COMPANY’S LEADERS THIS AFTERNOON. PEPPER. WELL, STACI, RIGHT NOW DART IS WEIGHING TWO DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR A REDESIGN OF THEIR BUS LINES. DART HAS TWO IDEAS THEY HOPE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT THERE’S SOME THEY’RE UNSURE IF THEY’RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES IN THE LONG RUN. RIDERS ON DES MOINES AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT ACCESSING THESE BUSSES GETS THEM THROUGH THE DAY TO DAY, BUT THE CURRENT ROUTE STRUCTURE MAY NOT MEET THEIR NEEDS. OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, OUR POPULATION HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY. OUR SUBURBS HAVE THEIR OWN CITY CENTERS. WHERE AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING HAS CHANGED. SO DART IS CHANGING TO TWO DESIGNS. THE COMPANY IS CONSIDERING ARE NOW PUBLIC. A WEBSITE IS LIVE FOR PEOPLE TO PICK THEIR PREFERENCES. ONE PLAN PRIORITIZES FREQUENCY, KEEPING THE BUSSES ON FEWER ROUTES BUT MAKING STOPS MORE OFTEN. THE OTHER PRIORITIZES COVERAGE, SPREADING THE BUS FLEET ACROSS THE METRO. BUT COMING BY STOPS LESS OFTEN. WE WANT PEOPLE TO LEARN MORE AND THEN GIVE US THEIR FEEDBACK ON WHAT THEY THINK OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD PRIORITIZE IN A NEW TRANSIT NETWORK. BOTH DESIGNS ARE POSSIBLE ON THE CURRENT BUDGET, BUT MAINTAINING FUNDING IS STILL A QUESTION. DES MOINES CITY COUNCIL IS WAITING TO REVIEW A FRANCHISE FEE THAT WOULD FUND THE PUBLIC TRANSIT COMPANY. IF IT FAILS, DART WILL LIKELY FACE BUDGET CUTS. AND BOTH PLANS WILL BE DASHED, SOMETHING MANY RIDERS SAY COULD BE DETRIMENTAL. WE’RE ALREADY BALANCING WORK, SCHOOL, DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENTS, DIFFERENT, DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES FOR OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, AND TRYING TO COORDINATE THAT ON A BUS SCHEDULE THAT’S GOING TO BE CONSTANTLY CHANGING CAN BE CHALLENGING, AND YOU CAN GIVE YOUR INPUT ON THIS AT. REIMAGINE, DART DOT COM. THAT’S RIGHT HERE ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. THAT WILL BE UP ALL OF APRIL BEFORE THE DECISION IS MADE IN MAY. CHANGES FROM THIS PLAN WILL START TO TAK

Efforts to overhaul Des Moines' public transit system are gaining momentum as the city grapples with budgetary constraints. Driven by the "Reimagine DART" initiative, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) said it wants to modernize its services to better meet regional demands. The redesign process, set for implementation in 2026, aims to create a more inclusive, connected transit network. Throughout April, DART is requesting public feedback to help them shape the future system. Take the survey here.Meanwhile, the Des Moines City Council is considering increasing the franchise fee on utility bills to support DART’s funding. Currently at 5% and generating $13 million annually, the proposed increase to 7.5% aims to cover an additional $2 million in city contributions to the transit authority. This adjustment could translate to an extra $30 annually for a household with a $100 monthly utility bill. City leaders emphasize the importance of avoiding service cuts amid economic challenges.Mayor Connie Boesen lauded DART’s commissioning of transit specialists to guide the redesign. She underscored the critical need for strategic updates, citing the reliance of many residents on the transit system for daily commutes and essential activities. “A revitalized transit network is pivotal for driving community engagement and regional growth,” Boesen noted.Reimagine DART’s scope includes a systemic overhaul informed by shifting travel patterns, regional expansion, and post-pandemic realities. Since its inception in 2006, DART has connected residents to jobs, schools, and vital services. With nearly 12,500 daily rides, the system underpins economic activity and accessibility in the region.As the program progresses, city officials and DART leadership are calling on public stakeholders to engage in the dialogue. Comprehensive funding strategies and collaborative input will be key to ensuring the transit system supports current needs while preparing for future demands.» Subscribe to ��vlog's YouTube page» Download the free ��vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Efforts to overhaul Des Moines' public transit system are gaining momentum as the city grapples with budgetary constraints.

Driven by the "Reimagine DART" initiative, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) said it wants to modernize its services to better meet regional demands. The redesign process, set for implementation in 2026, aims to create a more inclusive, connected transit network.

Throughout April, DART is requesting public feedback to help them shape the future system. Take the survey .

Meanwhile, the Des Moines City Council is considering increasing the franchise fee on utility bills to support DART’s funding. Currently at 5% and generating $13 million annually, the proposed increase to 7.5% aims to cover an additional $2 million in city contributions to the transit authority. This adjustment could translate to an extra $30 annually for a household with a $100 monthly utility bill. City leaders emphasize the importance of avoiding service cuts amid economic challenges.

Mayor Connie Boesen lauded DART’s commissioning of transit specialists to guide the redesign. She underscored the critical need for strategic updates, citing the reliance of many residents on the transit system for daily commutes and essential activities. “A revitalized transit network is pivotal for driving community engagement and regional growth,” Boesen noted.

Reimagine DART’s scope includes a systemic overhaul informed by shifting travel patterns, regional expansion, and post-pandemic realities. Since its inception in 2006, DART has connected residents to jobs, schools, and vital services. With nearly 12,500 daily rides, the system underpins economic activity and accessibility in the region.

As the program progresses, city officials and DART leadership are calling on public stakeholders to engage in the dialogue. Comprehensive funding strategies and collaborative input will be key to ensuring the transit system supports current needs while preparing for future demands.

» Download the free ��vlog app to get updates on the go: |

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DART explores transit revamp amid financial hurdles

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