DES MOINES, Iowa — Potential changes to DART services could make it harder for Des Moines students to get to and from school.
Many students don’t qualify to take the school bus because they live too close to their school to qualify. And when walking isn't an option for these kids, the only other answer is DART.
However, some families can’t afford the monthly DART pass cost of $24. Nonprofit Des Moines Refugee Support has stepped in to help fill the need.
“We have been buying 50 bus passes a month for DMPS students who don't live in an area where they are going to get a bus to school that is provided to them by the school district," founder Alison Hoeman told Local 5.
But their funding can only stretch so far, and the need is growing, according to Hoeman.
“The kids who aren't getting a bus are refugees, are immigrants, are kids who are already, you know, having a hard time," Hoeman said.
Last month, the group reached even further into their pockets, providing 53 total passes.
Now, the nonprofit is now expressing frustration with Des Moines Public Schools, saying it should foot the bill for its own students.
“Minneapolis, Kansas City, Cedar Rapids, these are all cities that have figured out how to get all of their kids to school on transportation, on public transportation," Hoeman said. "It doesn't seem unreasonable that Des Moines can figure that out.”
The district has created a task force to address concerns about student transportation. A representative told Local 5 the group is working to collect data and learn more about the potential dart cuts before commenting on the matter.
In the mean time, this organization is doing what they can, with what limited resources they have.
With DART considering a 40% reduction in bus services, this could also mean that students who take the DART bus may face longer wait times or lose their route. Some of those concerns were expressed at DART's public input meeting earlier Tuesday.
“It is very frustrating that we are the ones that are throwing money at it from our literally miniscule budget," Hoeman said. "Please solve this problem."