Des Moines orders 20 Orion VIIs
DART, with a fleet of more than 150 buses, operates the largest mass transit service in the state of Iowa, serving the entire metro Capital region including its 19 cities and towns.
Des Moines Area Regional Authority (DART) announced an additional order of 15 Orion VII clean-diesel transit buses from Daimler Buses North America. This order will bring its total order to 20 transit buses for delivery in early 2010.
The Orion VII transit buses provide DART with a cleaner, more efficient diesel engine that incorporates the more stringent 2007 emission standards. The Cummins ISL clean-diesel engine reduces particulate matter by 90 percent and provides further significant reductions in the oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The more environmentally-friendly Orion VII buses also include several design changes that provide greater efficiency and ease of maintenance for DART.
"The order of 20 Orion VII clean-diesel transit buses shows that DART is committed to providing the most modern, clean transit buses to its passengers and communities," said Patrick Scully, chief commercial officer, Daimler Buses North America.
DART, with a fleet of more than 150 buses, operates the largest mass transit service in the state of Iowa, serving the entire metro Capital region including its 19 cities and towns.
More Bus

Frontrunner Bus Group Expands with New Massachusetts Headquarters
The significantly larger facility will provide the infrastructure needed to support the company’s growing workforce, advanced technologies, and expanding product line.
Read More →
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
Photo Highlights from APTA's 2026 Mobility Conference
The photo gallery captures scenes from the conference, including the International Bus Roadeo, exhibit hall activities, the Bus Showcase, and much more.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Philadelphia's SEPTA Approves Annual Transit Service Plan
Between 2021 and 2024, SEPTA held more than 200 public meetings — including 144 in-person sessions — throughout the SEPTA service region.
Read More →A True Low-Floor Minibus Design Delivers Better Accessibility and Efficiency for Everyone
As transit demands evolve, so should your fleet. Download the whitepaper to see how the Low-Floor Frontrunner Minibus compares to traditional options.
Read More →
WMATA Debuts 'Fares Pay for Service' Awareness Campaign
The campaign was highlighted during a media event at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where WMATA’s GM/CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, WMATA management team, board members, and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.
Read More →