6 Reasons DART Riders Use Public Transportation

DART provides 3.2 million rides to central Iowa residents and visitors each year. Curious why someone would ride DART? In fall 2022, DART conducted a customer survey using ETC Institute¹, where 825 riders were randomly surveyed about their experiences with DART.  

Let’s explore the top six reasons riders are using public transportation in central Iowa: 
 

REASON #1: Getting to and from work 

A whopping 57% of DART riders surveyed cited employment as a key reason they ride public transit. Why? Because for thousands of central Iowans (including 61% of DART riders) there may not be a car in the garage and catching the bus makes earning a living possible.

“I always ride the bus as I don’t own a car. It’s important to me that the routes I use are kept consistent. I’d be upset if the routes were made less frequent or changed. I use the bus to get to work and it’s convenient for me.” — Ted, DART rider 
 

REASON #2: Buying groceries and other goods and services 

Among survey respondents,15% mentioned they use DART for their shopping needs. For thousands of central Iowa residents, having affordable access to public transportation allows them to purchase the necessary food and supplies they need for themselves and for their families.

“I use the bus every day. It’s what I use to get to work, get my groceries, go to see other people. I save money by not using Uber or having a car. I get the bus to go shopping in West Des Moines, Ankeny and Des Moines. If there was less service, that would cause an issue for me.” — Andrew, DART rider 
 

REASON #3: Education and continued learning 

Another top reason DART riders are catching the bus? Going to school was cited by 11% of surveyed public transit users in central Iowa. In 2022 alone, DART buses provided 525,000 rides to Des Moines Public Schools students. Additionally, DART has partnerships with four local colleges and universities to allow students to ride for free. 

“I’m studying at DMACC and use the bus to get to Ankeny for my classes. It’s my primary form of transport. If there were reduced services and the buses didn’t run as frequently, it would have a big impact on me. I already struggle getting to school in Ankeny on time.” — Zoey, DART rider 
 

REASON #4: An avenue for socializing and recreation 

It’s true: 6% of DART riders mentioned using public transportation for fun! Some DART riders might use the service to enjoy community events — such as the Iowa State Fair or Downtown Farmers’ Market — while others use DART to navigate to other public amenities like parks, trails and their local library. Still, other DART riders find that using public transportation has a significant positive impact on their quality of life.

Did you know: DART serves a higher percentage of individuals with disabilities, low-income persons, people of color and veterans compared to the overall population. 

“I work as a sign language interpreter at Des Moines Public Schools. Many of the students I work with have various disabilities, not just physical but also cognitive. For many of my students, the bus system is the bridge between having no independence and enjoying an independent life.” — Mary, DART rider 
 

REASON #5: Access to health and medical services 

DART is an essential service, and it provides an avenue to utilize other essential services such as health and medical needs — including 3% of DART riders surveyed who noted using it for just that.

“Today we’re riding DART so I can take my five-year-old son to the dentist for an appointment. We use the bus for appointments because my van went out a few months ago. Having buses that run on time is important to us. If I could improve one thing, it would be having more frequent buses on certain routes especially in the evening.” — Heavenly, DART rider 

Did you know: DART’s variety of services also help meet the needs of an aging population in central Iowa. Last fiscal year, the transit agency provided more than 111,000 rides through DART Paratransit, a door-to-door service for those who need it.
 

REASON #6: Finding employment 

Finally, 2% of surveyed transit users in central Iowa noted they ride DART when they need to find a job. With 87% of central Iowa business leaders expressing concern they won’t be able to meet future workforce needs, public transit can help connect those seeking jobs to local opportunities.²

“I don’t have a driver’s license, so I always try to live close to where I work or make sure it’s near the bus route. Today, I’m heading into the unemployment office to get help applying for jobs. I’ve been riding the bus for about eight years now and I have no complaints.” — Brian, DART rider 
 

An Inclusive Service

DART is an inclusive and equitable public service, providing value for anyone and everyone within the central Iowa community. Every day, DART helps thousands of central Iowans access services and opportunities that support a positive quality life. And just like parks and recreation services, libraries and emergency services, DART is a public service that is available to all of us.  

Share why you value DART using this form. 

SOURCES: 

¹ DART and ETC Institute: Customer Survey 2022  

² BPC and Bâton Global: Envision Iowa: Statewide Leaders Economic Outlook Survey Report 2022, "87% of Iowa leaders express concern the state will not be able to meet workforce needs" 

The rider quotations used in this article have been edited for brevity.