DART - Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority

Happy 15-Year Anniversary to Fixed Route Operator Jody Firestine. Jody is a very relaxed person, and we appreciate his great attitude as he always offers a helping hand with a genuine smile! Thank you, Jody, for all the years of service to Greater Des Moines!

We're excited to share Russ Trimble, Chair of the DART Commission, has received IOWA PUBLIC TRANSIT ASSOCIATION's 2024 'Friend of Public Transit' award! IPTA Executive Director Carl Lingen and DART CEO Amanda Wanke presented the award to Russ during our Commission meeting on Tuesday. Russ has served on the DART Commission since 2019 and as Chair during several years of change, including a CEO transition. As West Des Moines Mayor, Russ has consistently used his platform to raise awareness of DART and the importance of regional public transit. He encourages his colleagues and DART to think outside of the box on how to meet the needs of Greater Des Moines efficiently and effectively. Thank you for being a champion for public transit, Russ!

Congratulations to DART bus operators Joe Vitale and Kurt Mackel-Wiederanders for placing 2nd & 3rd in the small bus category at this weekend's IPTA/Iowa DOT Roadeo in Ames! The bus roadeo is a skills competition involving a series of timed driving challenges that reinforce how committed public transit agency operators are to providing safe and reliable service for riders across Iowa.   Thank you to our friends at CyRide for hosting this fun event, and congratulations to everyone who qualified to compete this year! Iowa Department of Transportation

“For all 4 years of high school, the DART bus consistently helped my friends and classmates get to poetry practice after school. Without the bus, there would be no way for all of us to gather together and build a strong artistic community. The DART system helps many students like us that need access to reliable, affordable public transportation.” – Samm

Dennis Klinge is a Maintenance Supervisor at DART and he's officially been with us 10 years this month! Dennis started has an operator, but then moved on to being an operator supervisor, building supervisor, and now a maintenance supervisor. Let's retire the term "Jack-of-all-trades," at this point, maybe it should be called a "Dennis-of-all-trades." Thank you for 10 years of service, Dennis!

How hard is it to drive a 40-foot bus through an obstacle course? Our DART Commissioners volunteered to give it a try on Thursday morning as part of our annual DART ROADEO. The actual Roadeo, which takes place Saturday, celebrates our bus drivers’ skills and expertise as we aim to deliver the best and safest service possible for our riders.     Commissioners from several of DART’s member communities experienced what it takes to safely operate a bus and how our team delivers an essential service for people each day. They made sharp turns, navigated around “parked cars,” and of course, mastered the bus horn.     Although we lost a few cones along the way, each of our participating DART Commissioners received a special award for safely operating the bus. Some of our elected leaders may even have what it takes to be a DART bus driver in the future - with training, of course! Bridget Carberry Montgomery Ross Grooters Todd Shafer C.P.M. MBA Connie Boesen Lauren Campbell Russ Trimble

The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is studying traffic patterns in the Greater Des Moines area to identify where the most serious crashes happen and opportunities to improve safety for walking, biking and driving. In just the last 10 years, 1800+ fatal and serious injury crashes occurred in the MPO’s region. Once finished, this plan will give local leaders community-based and data-driven recommendations to guide them as they make decisions about our area roads. To learn more about the MPO’s research and how you can provide input, visit https://lnkd.in/gvNb78UT. 

“Last February 1st, the crew geared up for the big Drake vs. UNI basketball game. Opting for the hassle-free route, we caught the 3 bus. Without the parking drama, we soaked in every heart-pounding moment. Post-game, we hopped back on the 3, already plotting our next parking-free escapade.” – David Thousands of riders use DART each day to engage in activities across central Iowa. Read more about the benefits of DART: https://lnkd.in/gapU-T7E.

Today, we are celebrating 20 years of service for our Transit Scheduler, Teresa Cashman. Teresa brings a gentle energy and matter-of-fact expertise to her work. We appreciate her unique contributions to our Planning Team. Thank you, Teresa, for 20 years of service!

“I use the buses often, especially since I moved here without my car... Coming from Vermont, Des Moines is different, but I love it. The bus is pretty convenient for my commute to work, right on that line." A world without a bus service wouldn't be affordable or equitable because not everyone can drive or wants to drive. I had a car crash in August, and I don't enjoy driving anymore, so the bus is a more comfortable option for me. Having access to the bus service means accessibility, budget-friendliness, and independence for me. I feel like I’m having my Carrie Bradshaw moment from Sex and the City, exploring the city and feeling like a big city girl." — Dakota