Iowa’s Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is set to launch its new bus network on June 14.

Officials said the team is set to help riders learn the new routes and plan their trips through one-on-one trip planning support at 12 open houses in May and June.

“We know this is a big change for the thousands of riders who depend on us to get to work, school, and essential services,” said DART’s Chief Administrative and Strategy Officer Erin Hockman. “With June 14 just around the corner, DART staff is looking forward to helping riders learn the new routes and ensure they have support and resources to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

What’s New

The new network reflects extensive input from riders and the community through Reimagine DART on what matters most in public transit — and those priorities are reflected in the changes ahead.

On June 14, all current bus routes will be replaced by 11 routes, most of which will run more often all day, seven days a week, along the busiest streets in the Des Moines metro.

• Four corridors will have a 15-minute bus service.
• Bus stops will be spaced farther apart – about every three to four blocks – to provide faster, more reliable service.
• Transfers at DART Central Station will be timed to speed up travel for many trips.

Service hours will also be reduced by 2 hours on weekdays and 1 hour on Saturdays to align total service hours with what member communities can afford and limit property tax growth.

New DART On Demand zones will launch in late September, increasing transit access in three suburban areas.

The changes to the network will mean that:

• The average Greater Des Moines resident will be able to reach 3,700 more jobs within 45 minutes on weekdays using public transit, a 15% increase. They will be able to reach 13,200 more jobs on Sundays, an 89% increase.
• About 22,000 more residents will have access to public transit, a 5% increase.

Providing Rider Support

“Our team is hard at work preparing for the new network – from operators driving every route to customer service increasing staffing to accept more calls,” said Luis Montoya, DART chief operating and planning officer. “We’re focused on making sure everything is ready to roll on day one and that both our team and riders feel confident with the new system.”

Over the next several weeks, riders and the public can expect these additional updates:

• DART is replacing all bus stop signs throughout its network. New bus signs will provide clearer information about each bus route. Stops being removed will be marked.
• A new rideDART.com website will launch by early June, making information easier to access and use on mobile devices.
• All bus routes will be free to ride from June 14 to 30, allowing riders to practice their trips as they adjust to the new network.

More About the New Network

The new network was shaped by input from elected leaders, riders, and residents as part of Reimagine DART.

Throughout 2025, more than 2,300 survey responses informed the priorities for the new bus network. Most survey respondents were DART riders who use the system several days a week, according to the agency.