Des Moines reaffirms DART commitment, tamps down fears

• Multiple communities have yanked their membership to DART in the last two years due to budget constraints or low ridership, a decision that ends services to their cities and puts more strain on those left participating in DART.

Catch up quick: Des Moines, the largest funder and user of the transit agency, will see its annual share grow by millions over the next five years under a prior, unanimous regional agreement.

Friction point: A portion of DSM's share over the next two fiscal years is being covered by an award from the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization.

• That need to secure outside funding has led some communities to question whether DSM is committed to the long-term plan, despite assurances from Mayor Connie Boesen that the city would not back out.
• In September, mayors from seven communities threatened to start their own transit service unless DSM reaffirms its commitment — for fear they could be left in the lurch.

Driving the news: A legal review provided to DART commissioners during a heated Nov. 5 meeting settled those fears and confirmed Boesen's position: that DSM is bound to its agreement.

• Metro communities now appear unified and will probably announce in the coming week that they will continue collaborating on a "Reimagine" efficiency plan for the agency, Trimble said.

The intrigue: Trimble regrets being one of several DART commissioners who wore shirts to the meeting that warned DSM to either abide by the funding formula "or FIND OUT."

• "That meeting wasn't the best meeting for any of us," Trimble said.
• "Healing has to be done, and I think we're all ready to move forward."

The other side: Boesen said in a written statement to Axios on Friday that it's vital for metro communities to work together.

What we're watching: A new public transit study conducted for the City of Des Moines provides possible service alternatives and efficiency recommendations, including simplifying or replacing some routes.