DART to implement schedule changes on August 23

The following changes will be implemented on Sunday, August 23, 2015 to better serve DART customers. Major changes include the realignment of Routes 5 and 51, long-term detours in downtown Des Moines and new platform assignments at DART Central Station.

• Route 5 – Franklin Ave: The realignment of Routes 5 and 51 as the new Route - 5 Franklin Ave is effective with the August Service Change. The new Route 5 will serve Merle Hay Mall from approximately 6:15 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. on weekdays and will travel via Merle Hay Road, Franklin, 34th, Clark, 30th/31st, Woodland, M.L. King, Ingersoll, High, 9th/8th, Locust/Grand and 7th/6th. Route 5 – Franklin Ave will also be FREE to ride August 23 – October 10, 2015.

• Route 8 – Fleur Dr.: An afternoon trip leaving DART Central Station at 3:10 p.m. will be added to accommodate an expected increase in riders when school resumes.

• Routes 3, 15, 17, 52, 60 (via Ingersoll) and afternoon trips on Route 98: Due to the expected street closure on 7th St during the construction of the new City of Des Moines parking garage facility, these DART routes will travel via 7th, Watson Powell, 5th and Grand. Times will be adjusted slightly.

• Routes 5, 14, 91, 93, 94, 95 and 96: Due to the anticipated closure of High between 7th and 8th for the Principal construction, these routes will travel via High, 9th and Locust on inbound trips and Grand, 8th and High on outbound trips.

• The following routes will be assigned to a new platform at DART Central Station:
o Route 3 – Platform “G”
o Route 5 – Platform “M”
o Route 6 – Platform “N”
o Route 11 – Platform “A”
o Route 17 – Platform “C”
o Route 52 – Platform “E”

• Adjustments will be made on the Grimes/NW Johnston On Call.

New schedules are available at www.ridedart.com and on board DART buses.

The service changes are part of the ongoing improvements being made under the DART Forward 2035 plan, a vision for expanding public transit service throughout the Greater Des Moines region. This is the fourth year in a row of public transit service improvements.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority is the public transportation provider that serves Polk County. DART operates a family of transportation services that makes getting around the Greater Des Moines area easier and more convenient. For more information about DART services, schedules, route changes, or directions to the nearest DART stop, visit the website at www.ridedart.com or call 515-283-8100. The MyDART Tools, Trip Planner and RideTime Transit app are now available at www.ridedart.com.