Sustainable Transit: Business Record
- The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is embarking on a comprehensive effort to redesign its public transit network, aiming to better serve the evolving needs of...
- DART's General Manager, Elizabeth Patchett, emphasized the interconnectedness of public transit with essential services like housing, childcare, and education.
- Employers across various sectors - including insurance, healthcare, and childcare - rely on DART to connect their workforce.
Reimagine DART: A Network Redesign for the Des Moines Metro
Table of Contents
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is embarking on a comprehensive effort to redesign its public transit network, aiming to better serve the evolving needs of the region and ensure sustainability for the next decade and beyond. This initiative,dubbed “Reimagine DART,” recognizes the crucial role public transit plays in economic growth,community vitality,and overall quality of life.
The Importance of Public Transit
DART’s General Manager, Elizabeth Patchett, emphasized the interconnectedness of public transit with essential services like housing, childcare, and education. “Whether or not you use DART, you are affected by the effectiveness of DART as you live and move, and work across our region,” she stated. DART isn’t just a means of commuting; it’s a pathway to jobs, training programs, and educational opportunities, fostering upward mobility and economic empowerment.
Employers across various sectors – including insurance, healthcare, and childcare – rely on DART to connect their workforce. Schools also depend on the system for students and staff transportation. Patchett likened public transportation to essential infrastructure like roads and utilities, stating, “Public transportation is absolutely part of that conversation as well.”
Moving forward with Change
While enthusiastic about the network redesign, DART’s Director of Planning, Melissa Wanke, acknowledges the challenges inherent in significant change. “Change is hard for people and I don’t want to underestimate the amount of change this is for our community,” she said, anticipating diverse opinions throughout the process.
Wanke clarified that the network redesign is just one component of the broader Reimagine DART effort, which includes an economic impact study, a review of bus fares, and ongoing evaluations of service delivery to ensure alignment with the project’s goals.
Diversifying funding Sources
A key aspect of reimagine DART is diversifying DART’s funding streams. Currently,approximately 62% of the operating budget comes from property taxes,which are capped at 95 cents per $1,000 valuation. this limitation necessitates exploring choice revenue sources.
Recently, the city of Des Moines approved an increase in its franchise fee on gas and electrical utilities – from 5% to 7.5% for five years – to provide additional funding for DART. Wanke expressed gratitude for this commitment from local leaders,noting that it “adds one more piece to that puzzle” of diversified funding.
Wanke remains optimistic about the progress being made. “It’s progress and our team is feeling good about moving forward and leading change that needs to happen,” she said, while acknowledging the certain “ups and downs” along the way.