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DART ridership up 9% from previous year

“Growing ridership speaks to the value we are providing in helping residents connect to vital destinations across Greater Des Moines,” said DART CEO Amanda Wanke.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) provided more than 3.5 million rides in Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023-June 2024), almost a 9% increase from the previous year.

According to a DART news release, ridership increased on several DART services last year: 

  • Local and Express Bus Routes: 3,322,918 rides (9.2% increase over FY 2023) 
  • DART On Demand: 20,822 rides (33% increase over FY 2023) 
  • Paratransit: 101,395 rides (6% increase over FY 2023)

RELATED: DART raises On Demand fares, gets rid of on-bus Wi-Fi

“Growing ridership speaks to the value we are providing in helping residents connect to vital destinations across Greater Des Moines,”  said DART CEO Amanda Wanke in a statement. “With nearly nine out of 10 trips we deliver resulting in people earning or spending money, we are not just supporting those who use our service, but also driving economic growth and opportunity in our member communities.”

The bus service also saw record-breaking Iowa State Fair ridership.

Over the course of the 11-day Iowa State Fair, which set its own attendance record, DART delivered 272,880 state fair shuttle rides — the highest number since DART began offering rides.

RELATED: DART looks to expand to new facility, saving taxpayer dollars

2024 DART fair ridership increased by 13% in 2024, and saw an almost 8% increase over the previous fair shuttle record from 2019, according to the news release.

On the busiest day of the fair, Saturday, Aug. 10, DART provided 39,943 shuttle rides.

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