Des Moines DART CEO Joins Minneapolis Metro Transit
Amanda Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.
During Amanda Wanke’s tenure as CEO, DART advanced several significant initiatives to strengthen transit service and align it with the needs, priorities, and budgets of its member communities.
DART
- Amanda Wanke, CEO of DART for 2½ years, will leave on May 9 to become deputy chief operating officer at Minneapolis’ Metro Transit.
- DART Commission Chair and Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen praised Wanke for her leadership, collaborative style, and vision for transit development.
- During Wanke’s leadership, DART implemented several initiatives to enhance transit services and align with community needs.
*Summarized by AI
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) announced that CEO Amanda Wanke accepted a leadership position with Minneapolis’ Metro Transit. Her final day with DART will be May 9.
Wanke, who has worked at DART for 10 years, including the past 2½ years as CEO, will join Metro Transit as deputy chief operating officer, operations administration.
“Amanda was the right leader for DART at an important time for transit in our region,” said DART Commission Chair and Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen. “When the Commission asked her to serve as CEO, it was because of her deep understanding of the organization, her collaborative style, and her ability to bring people together around a shared vision for transit. We’re grateful for the strong team and momentum she helped build and wish her the very best.”
Impacting DART
During Wanke’s tenure as CEO, DART advanced several significant initiatives to strengthen transit service and align it with the needs, priorities, and budgets of its member communities.
The DART Commission adopted the Reimagine DART system redesign in December 2025 following extensive public input, establishing a new vision for transit service across Greater Des Moines. By taking steps to reduce operating expenses and align on transit priorities, the agency is in a strong financial position heading into next year.
DART also secured a $20 million federal grant to support construction of a new Operations & Maintenance Facility that will meet DART’s infrastructure needs for safer and more effective bus service.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together in recent years — from the essential services we provide every day to the adoption of the system redesign that will shape the future of transit in our region,” said Wanke. “While it’s difficult to step away, the opportunity to return closer to family in Minnesota while continuing to grow as a transit leader felt like the right next step for me and my family."
The DART Commission will discuss next steps for leadership transition in the coming weeks.
Quick Answers
Amanda Wanke is the CEO of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) who has accepted a new position with Minneapolis’ Metro Transit.
*Summarized by AI
More Management
METRO Opens Submissions for 2026 Motorcoach Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for METRO Magazine’s Operator of the Year and Innovative Operator of the Year awards.
Read More →
New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
Transit Agencies Highlight Safety Gains at National Summit
Leaders from 15 major transit systems shared crime-reduction results and safety initiatives while discussing the role of continued federal support.
Read More →
NITA Names New Leadership, Expands Reduced-Fare Program at First Board Meeting
The new regional transit authority appointed its first board chair and interim executive director while extending reduced fares across CTA, Metra, and Pace for eligible riders.
Read More →
Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance
Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.
Read More →
APTA 2026 Nominating Committee Selects Leadership Slate, Names Chair and Vice Chair Nominees
Leadership changes will help shape the association’s priorities and its representation of the transportation industry during the 2026–2027 term.
Read More →
DART Launches Major Security, Fare Enforcement Initiative
The 90-day demonstration will deploy coordinated security teams at five light rail stations while testing controlled access and gathering data to guide future investments.
Read More →
Advancing Fare Collection Through Technology and Innovation
Learn about delivering 1300 gates at 91 stations while managing fare evasion. Explore the large scale deployment, solution customization and real-world results that affect the region. Prepare for deployment in your region now.
Read More →
Game Day in Motion: Moving Millions During the 2026 World Cup
Between packed transit stations and team motorcoaches, see how agencies and operators across North America tackled the transportation demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read More →
Surface Transportation Extension Averts Shutdown, Leaves Transit Funding Gap
The stopgap keeps federal transportation programs moving, but missing advance funding could complicate the transit and rail projects agencies are planning next.
Read More →