Around Des Moines

December 18th was supposed to represent the start of AroundDesMoines.com’s regular coverage of DART commission meetings. Unfortunately, all did not go as planned. I was able to attend the first half of the meeting but there is so much going on with the Des Moines Area Rapid Transit (DART) system that it is impossible to cover as a sporadically-reported topic. Thus, I am writing a commentary on a few items.

The bus schedule allowed me to get to the meeting on time, but leaving was not so convenient. Although I asked the driver of the No. 7 bus to drop me at the DART offices; he didn’t. I asked at the offices if the drivers had stopped making the little detour and was told they were still supposed to do it.. I also asked that the next bus heading into downtown stop at the offices. After leaving the commission meeting, I made the request for the bus again. A call was placed to dispatch and I went outside to wait. Five minutes later I saw the bus pass by on SW 9th. Someone from DART ended up driving me to my next meeting because dispatch forgot to notify the bus driver that a passenger was waiting. Alas, this is not uncommon in my experience with activities held at the DART offices. The No. 7 route along SW 9th Street is only two blocks away, but it is not always a safe walk. Moreover, there is no sidewalk next to the northbound lanes. For all practical purposes, reaching the DART offices requires motorized transit. For all practical purposes, accessing the transit systems offices by public transit is impossible.

Do not fret, though, because even more buses will be heading downtown. The downtown shuttle that has been in the planning stages for at least three years is expected to begin in January or February 2008. Apparently the 1, 4, 5, and 7 bus routes do not provide enough transportation options for people working in the capitol complex and for visitors downtown. The capitol complex parking shuttle, which was started last year after the western parking lot was torn up for park-like space, will return with the legislative session in January. DART contracts with the State for the cost of the parking shuttle and plans to discontinue it when the downtown shuttle begins.

DART is working with the City of Des Moines and the State of Iowa and some promotional organizations to finalize marketing plans for the downtown shuttle. In comparison, it was only by reading material available at the December DART commission meeting that I learned the Regional On Call service has been offering free rides since November 27th to encourage people to take it to stores for holiday shopping. This free ride deal runs through December 28th.

There is much more to write about DART’s activities, but with less ranting. A budget hearing will be coming up, which could include fare increases, service cuts, and noticeable levee increases in some communities.

M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa and does not believe in owning a car in a city.