Posted: May 22, 2020
Effective Monday, June 1, 2020, DART will restore service to two Local Routes (Local Route 10 – East University and Local Route 11 – Ingersoll/Valley Junction) and add service for select trips to the schedule of Express Route 98 – Ankeny. Service to routes 10 and 11 was temporarily suspended in April, and service on Express Route 98 was reduced in March, as DART made adjustments to schedules to account for decreasing ridership and available workforce due to COVID-19.
Most DART routes will continue to run reduced service schedules after June 1, and three DART routes (Local Route 13 – Park Ave, Local Route 74 – NW Urbandale and the Link Shuttle) will continue to have their service temporarily suspended. An overview of DART’s service is available here. DART will continue to monitor ridership levels, available workforce as well as consider input from public health and government officials as it makes future service decisions.
Local Route 10 – East University
DART is restoring service back to Local Route 10 which serves East University Avenue and Pleasant Hill. Service will return to regular service levels for the route. Schedule information is available on the Route 10 page.
Local Route 11 – Ingersoll/Valley Junction
DART is restoring service back to Local Route 11 which serves Ingersoll Avenue, Valley Junction and the Deer Ridge Apartment Complex. Service will return to regular service levels for the route. Schedule information is available on the Route 11 page.
Express Route 98 – Ankeny
DART is restoring service to select trips in the morning and afternoon for this route. Schedule information is posted below, and on the Route 98 webpage. Please note that Express Route 98 is on Detour beginning Monday, June 1 due to construction on the Interstate 35 First Street exit. This detour could impact how well the route runs on schedule, especially during peak travel times. More information on the detour is available here.
| Express Route 98 Weekday-Inbound | ||||||
| Southbound-Inbound to Des Moines | Downtown Des Moines stops | |||||
| Ankeny DMACC Park & Ride | Hawkeye Park & Ride | MercyOne North Park & Ride | 3rd & Grand | Locust & 7th | Locust & 4th | |
| AM | 6:23 | 6:32 | 6:40 | 6:57 | 7:04 | 7:06 |
| 7:07 | 7:16 | 7:24 | 7:41 | 7:48 | 7:50 | |
| 7:43 | 7:52 | 8:00 | 8:19 | 8:26 | 8:28 | |
| PM | 4:40 | - - - - | - - - - | 5:03/5:05 | 5:13 | 5:15 |
| 5:04 | - - - - | - - - - | 5:25 | 5:33 | 5:35 | |
| 5:53 | - - - - | - - - - | 6:13^ | - - - - | - - - - | |
| 6:15 | - - - - | - - - - | 6:36^ | - - - - | - - - - | |
| ^ These trips travel to the garage via 3rd, Grand Ave and 9th, and will stop at downtown bus stops along this route. | ||||||
| Express Route 98 Weekday-Outbound | ||||||
| Stops leaving downtown | Northbound-Outbound stops in Ankeny | |||||
| 3rd & Grand | Locust & 7th | Locust & 4th | MercyOne North Park & Ride | Hawkeye Park & Ride | DMACC Ankeny Park & Ride | |
| AM | - - - | 5:57 | 5:58 | - - - - | - - - - | 6:18 |
| 6:17 | 6:24 | 6:25 | - - - - | - - - - | 6:47 | |
| 6:57 | 7:04 | 7:06 | - - - - | - - - - | 7:28 | |
| PM | 3:35 | 3:43 | 3:45 | 4:06 | 4:11 | 4:23 |
| 4:05 | 4:13 | 4:15 | 4:37 | 4:42 | 4:53 | |
| 5:05 | 5:13 | 5:15 | 5:36 | 5:41 | 5:51 | |
| 5:25 | 5:33 | 5:35 | 5:56 | 6:01 | 6:11 | |
DART’s service reduction due to COVID-19
Decreased ridership as Iowans were encouraged to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and practice social distancing, as well as a decrease in our available frontline staff led us to reduce the service we provide beginning in March 2020. As ridership rates slowly increase, and more portions of the region open, DART is adjusting service levels to meet demand, and fit our available workforce levels.
Riders should do the following:
- Wear a mask on the bus and at DART Central Station
- Remain six feet apart from others to the extent possible
- Use hand sanitizer before and after you board the bus
- Avoid touching your face