DART (Des Moines Area Regional Transit) - the only regional public transit in the state of Iowa - is facing a historic budget crisis. DART is on track to hit an estimated $3 million deficit for services by fiscal year 2025. This would mean an estimated 40% cut to services that could begin as soon as November 2024. Under the proposed cuts, most routes would run every hour instead of every 30 minutes, service would be limited on weekends, with fewer buses on Sundays, and buses would be limited throughout the day, with some routes running only at peak travel times.

Public transit is the back bone of an accessible city and these cuts would limit our city's capacity to transition off of fossil fuels. More to the point, these cuts would devastate residents who are already coping with attacks to public services and agencies at the state and federal level. 61% of riders don't have access to a vehicle or don't have a valid driver's license, and a majority of riders rely on DART for essential transportation needs like commuting to work, healthcare appointments, and the grocery store.

The Des Moines City Council MUST vote to approve AT LEAST a 1.5% franchise fee to fund our public transit system!

Send an email to Mayor Connie Boesen, City Councilors, and the City Manager Scott Sanders demanding they add DART to the next City Council meeting on February 17 and vote to approve the DART commission proposal.