Major changes to the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority’s bus routes are now in effect. DART made the transition on Sunday, reducing its number of main routes from 27 to 11. Officials said the overhaul means longer routes and more frequent service, shaped by rider feedback and the need to cut costs.

DART staffers will be at Central Station, Park Fair Mall, and Walmart in Windsor Heights through Saturday to answer questions and help ensure riders get on the right buses. DART is also offering free bus rides through the end of June.

New Routes and Tools

CEO Erin Hockman says travel patterns have changed. Recent feedback from riders and community members helped develop the updated routes. ‘By investing in more frequent service on the key corridors, we know that the average resident can reach 15% more destinations throughout the metro,’ she said. ‘Really allowing people to travel farther, faster.’

Hockman pointed to tools that are meant to help the public adapt to the change, including a new website and the MyDART app. ‘We’ve got newly designed bus stop signs that provide more information to help people navigate the changes,’ she said.

DART officials on Monday warned riders: ‘Some trips planned in Google Maps may show outdated trip information, including routes and bus stops that are no longer active. Please use an alternative mapping service, including the MyDART Trip Planner, until information on Google Maps is fixed. This is likely to be corrected by later in the week.’

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.