Effective November 1, 2023, DART Paratransit now provides additional amenities exclusively available for approved Bus Plus riders including 1) a new Premium Service Zone to further extend Bus Plus’s coverage area, and 2) free rides on DART’s Fixed Route services for Bus Plus riders.
New Bus Plus Premium Service Zone
First, DART has extended its Bus Plus service area to include a new Premium Service Zone to cover all of DART’s member communities. Trips within the Premium Service Zone will be non-Medicaid trips only and will cost $30 per trip. The existing Base Service Zone will remain as-is, with a cost of $3.50 per trip. A map of the Bus Plus service area, broken out by level of service, is pictured below. Click on the map to expand the image.
How to Book a Premium Trip
To book a trip in the Premium Service Zone, Bus Plus riders can follow the same ride reservation process they are already using for Bus Plus transportation by contacting DART Paratransit at 515-283-8136.
A few important things to note about trips booked within the Premium Service Zone:
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Premium trips can be booked 48 hours prior to the requested trip time or up to five (5) days in advance.
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Premium trips are not ADA protected and are not guaranteed. Priority will be given to ADA trips which can be booked seven (7) days in advance. (Please see the Paratransit reservation process for more information about ADA trips.)
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Premium trips will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Fare payment must be received at the time of service and ONLY cash or check will be accepted.
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The $30 fare is per trip and must be paid each time a rider boards the bus.
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Customers should expect a DART vehicle or a taxi to arrive for their trip.
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The Bus Plus Premium Service Zone operates within comparable hours to DART’s Fixed Route bus services.
Free Access to Fixed Route Service
Second, DART is now offering Bus Plus riders the opportunity to ride free on Fixed Route services which includes Local Routes and Express Routes. Riders will need to show a Bus Plus ID confirming their eligibility to utilize the free Fixed Route service.
How to Request a Bus Plus ID
Approved Bus Plus riders will need to initiate a request for a Bus Plus ID card:
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Call DART Paratransit at 515-283-8136 to begin the process.
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All Bus Plus IDs must include a photo; you can submit an existing photo to busplus@ridedart.com or schedule a time to have your photo taken with DART’s Customer Service.
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Bus Plus IDs will be available for pick up at the Customer Service window at DART Central Station (620 Cherry Street, Des Moines) or can be mailed to customers, if preferred.
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The Bus Plus IDs are valid for use in riding the Fixed Route services effective November 1, 2023.
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Of note, only approved Bus Plus riders are eligible for this free Fixed Route service. Learn more about the Bus Plus application.
FAQ
Find more in-depth information about the Bus Plus changes with this list of frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Additional Resources
Interested in how-to-ride-trainings before you ride? DART has several resources to offer:
*Please note, the set monthly rider training events are a classroom-style format and open to the public.
Learn more about DART Paratransit, including the Bus Plus service eligibility. Additionally, explore DART’s Fixed Route services including Local Routes and Express Routes throughout central Iowa.