Fixed Route continues to be DART’s most highly utilized bus service, with 95% of all rides in FY 2024 on one of DART’s more than 25 local and express bus routes.
Fixed Route continues to be DART’s most highly utilized bus service, with 95% of all rides in FY 2024 on one of DART’s more than 25 local and express bus routes.
Photo: DART
2 min to read
Iowa’s Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) provided 3,504,072 rides across all transit services in Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 – June 2024), an increase of nearly 9% from the previous year.
Ridership grew on several DART services last year:
Ad Loading...
Local and Express Bus Routes: 3,322,918 rides (+9.2% over FY 2023).
“Growing ridership speaks to the value we are providing in helping residents connect to vital destinations across Greater Des Moines,” said Amanda Wanke, DART CEO. “With nearly nine out of 10 trips we deliver resulting in people earning or spending money, we are not just supporting those who use our service, but also driving economic growth and opportunity in our member communities.”
Secret to DART’s Success
Fixed Route continues to be DART’s most highly utilized bus service, with 95% of all rides in FY 2024 on one of DART’s more than 25 local and express bus routes.
While Fixed Route is the most cost-effective way to transport high numbers of people, DART is expanding service options to reach more residents.
On Demand has had significant ridership growth in Ankeny, while paratransit has also experienced a steady increase in ridership as central Iowa’s population ages.
Ad Loading...
DART provided a record 272,880 shuttle rides over the 11 days of the 2024 Iowa State Fair — the highest number of State Fair shuttle rides provided since DART began offering the Park & Ride service.
Photo: DART
DART Breaking Records
DART provided a record 272,880 shuttle rides over the 11 days of the 2024 Iowa State Fair — the highest number of State Fair shuttle rides provided since DART began offering the Park & Ride service.
DART’s 2024 Fair ridership is a 13% increase over 2023 and a nearly 8% increase over the Fair shuttle ridership record set in 2019.
This year’s busiest Fair day was also the busiest day for DART Park & Rides with a total of 39,943 rides provided.
Although this year’s record is significant, State Fair shuttle rides make up just a small portion of DART’s overall annual ridership.
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.
The agency’s maintenance chief discusses leadership, workforce development, zero-emission technology, and preparing technicians for the future of public transportation.
In this edition of METROspectives, Luminator CEO Magnus Friberg discusses the company's transformation, the growing role of AI and software, and what's next for transit technology.
Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro.
With the adoption of Resolution 2026-006, the measure moves to the Pierce County Auditor, giving voters in the Pierce Transit service area the decision on whether to fund an expansion of local transit service within the agency’s service area.
Next Stop: Fast Buses, Better Service identifies 50 priority bus corridors for improvements across the five boroughs and launches the City’s next generation of rapid bus service along five key routes.
