DART to host public hearings on proposed fare policy

(From the DART offices)--Des Moines--The public is invited to a series of 12 public meetings November 10-19 to provide feedback on a new fare policy, in draft form, for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART). The new policy will cover:

• Types of fare media including cash, passes, tokens and smart cards
• New options for daily, weekly and monthly passes
• Transfers for riders paying with cash or tokens

The policy has been drafted in preparation for new fare boxes being purchased by DART. The public provided input prior to the policy being drafted during an initial series of public meetings in November 2013. The new policy will go into effect with the installation of the new fare boxes in late 2015 or early 2016. DART has no immediate plans to raise the price of fares.

Meetings will include a short presentation from DART staff and comment period.

Monday, November 10
• 5 – 6 p.m., Altoona Public Library, 700 8th St. SW, Altoona
Tuesday, November 11
• Noon – 1 p.m., DART Central Station, Multimodal Room, 620 Cherry St., Des Moines
Wednesday, November 12
• 5 – 6 p.m., Ankeny City Hall, 410 W. 1st St., Ankeny
• 7 – 8 p.m., Johnston City Hall, 6221 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
Thursday, November 13
• 2 – 3 p.m., DART Central Station, Multimodal Room, 620 Cherry St., Des Moines
• 5 – 6 p.m., North Side Library, 3516 Fifth Ave., Des Moines
Monday, November 17
• 5 – 6 p.m., West Des Moines Community Center, 217 5th St., West Des Moines
• 7 – 8 p.m., Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave., Des Moines
Tuesday, November 18
• 4 :30 – 5 :30 p.m., Urbandale Library, 3520 86th St., Urbandale
• 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., East Side Library, 2559 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines
Wednesday, November 19
• 5 – 6 p.m., South Side Library, 1111 Porter Ave., Des Moines
• 7 – 8 p.m., Jordan Creek Town Center, Community Room, 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy., West Des Moines

Those who are unable to attend a meeting and would like to provide feedback should visit www.ridedart.com, call 515-283-8100, email dart@ridedart.com, or mail to Attn: Fare Policy, DART Central Station, 620 Cherry St., Des Moines, IA 50309.
Free language, visual, hearing services are available at meetings upon request. Transportation services are also available. For requests, please call DART at 515-283-8100 with as much advanced notice as possible.