DART rolls out new buses, successful Try Transit Week

Shiny new buses have replaced six older ones along Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority routes.

Federal and local grants garnered roughly $2.5 million to purchase six New Flyer Xcelsior 40-foot buses early last month. The vehicles rolled into service between late September through the first week of October, said DART spokesman Gunnar Olson.

The roll out came just in time for Try Transit Week, Oct. 5-11, when DART offered free rides for the public on all major routes.

Olson said the week-long event included 110,991 rides, a 23 percent increase over the previous week.

"It went very well," Olson said.

"We hear from a lot of people who say they want to try riding the bus and we do promotions like this to give them every reason to try it. Especially now that DART's service is improved and expanded."

Olson said it's easier than ever to plan a bus trips with a new MyDART Trip Planner program that launched last month. The program links a GPS data feed to DART's website and mobile site with real-time data on bus schedules and arrival times.

DART currently has 150 buses on active routes, plus numerous vans that facilitate a RideShare program, according to Olson.