Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) has trimmed its school‑bus service for the 2024‑25 academic year, cutting the number of daily trips by roughly one‑fifth. The agency will now operate 36 school trips compared with 45 trips during the previous year, a change that reflects a reduced fleet and a focus on cost‑effective solutions.
What the changes mean for families
Students at four schools—Callahan, Merrill, Hoover and Meredith—will either be assigned to the new yellow‑bus routes or will have the option to ride nearby DART routes for a reduced fare. In total, DART will serve nine schools, four fewer than last year. Parents are asked to watch for a three‑digit route number beginning with nine at their usual bus stops; that number indicates a school‑bus route.
Free rides remain for all students
Despite the reduction in dedicated school trips, DART continues to provide free rides to all Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) students on non‑school days and after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Students must present a physical student ID when boarding; a photo ID will not be accepted.
Agency explains the decision
Sarah Welch, DART’s external affairs director, said the adjustments stem from public input and operational realities. “Our overall ability to serve Des Moines public schools and to provide these trips is about 80 % of what we did last year,” Welch explained. “It really just stems from the way in which we’re prioritizing service based on the priorities we heard through public input. Also, we just have fewer operators and fewer buses in our fleet.”
How families can stay informed
Updated maps and schedules for each school are available on the DART website at ridedart.com. Parents are encouraged to review the new routes and contact DART’s customer service with any questions about assignments or fare reductions.
Community response
Local parents and school officials have expressed mixed reactions. Some appreciate the continued free‑ride option on non‑school days, while others are concerned about longer travel times for students now assigned to different routes. The district says it will monitor ridership and adjust as needed throughout the semester.
Looking ahead
DART plans to evaluate the impact of the reduced service later in the school year and will consider additional adjustments if fleet capacity improves or if further community feedback warrants changes. The agency emphasizes its commitment to providing reliable, affordable transportation for Des Moines families while managing resources responsibly.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
