Posted on September, 12 2024
Recently, DART, and specifically the long-term funding of our regional transit service, has been in the news as local elected officials disagree on how much each community should contribute to our regional transit system. These discussions come at a time when many communities are reassessing what they are willing to invest in as they confront a tough economy, high inflation, and state mandates on property taxes limiting the tax revenue they can collect to fund essential public services.
First and foremost, it is important to note that these funding discussions and potential shortfalls pertain to DART’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Currently, DART has funding in place to balance its budget through June 30, 2026.
I firmly believe we are better together, and, more importantly, residents of DART member communities are better served when our communities work together to provide an essential service that impacts thousands of people’s lives, bolsters our region’s reputation and supports economic vitality.
Visionary leaders formed DART in 2006 because residents needed to be able to travel between communities to support their quality of life. This has not changed and, in fact, is needed more than ever as central Iowa’s population continues to grow. I am doing everything I can to support productive conversations among elected officials that foster understanding of different viewpoints and hopefully result in member communities coming to agreement on a path forward.
Public transit service can evolve and adapt but our system can’t be rebuilt overnight if decisions are made now that we learn in a few years don’t work. While we believe in the value of a regional network, the DART Commission ultimately makes decisions about how to govern and fund our regional system. We will remain committed to providing the most efficient and effective regional service we can with the resources we have and with the communities who choose to invest in DART.
We also have a unique opportunity with Reimagine DART to think boldly and creatively about what we want our transit system to be for the next 20 years. I’m pleased that Des Moines Mayor and DART Commissioner Connie Boesen, along with West Des Moines Mayor and DART Commission Chair Russ Trimble, reinforced this belief when they met on Thursday. Following that meeting, they issued the following joint statement:
“We believe regional transit is important and critical to our collective success. Over the next two months, we are committed to having in-depth facilitated conversations to determine a path forward on funding transit alongside the system redesign work through Reimagine DART. We are hopeful that our collective regional strength will result in a long-term solution and stability for our riders, DART staff, and our region.”
As I reflect on why I accepted the CEO position at DART just over a year ago, it is because I know the positive impact transit has on people’s lives and our economy. As a former Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC) member who uses a mobility device once said, “If I had to choose between running water and DART, I would choose DART every time because with DART I can go to the store and buy water but without DART I can’t go anywhere.”
Thank you for your support of DART.
Amanda Wanke
Chief Executive Officer
