DART wants to slash its 27 fixed-route bus network by more than half.

Why it matters: If approved, the reorganization and its proposed 10 main routes would increase the system's usability, making rides faster and more reliable, a consultant told commissioners yesterday.

Catch up fast: Earlier this year, DART launched its "Reimagine" project, which aims to modernize and better align services with current travel patterns.

• The public transit agency asked the public to weigh in on whether buses should reach more people or go to more places, flagging summer 2026 for its rollout.
• This week's proposed redesign follows years of budget challenges and is the network's first major overhaul in over a decade.

Driving the news: The proposed network would shift most bus services to eight routes that run every 30 minutes most of the day and two others that would have service every hour.

• They would connect downtown and places like Merle Hay Mall with Ankeny, Altoona, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines, Urbandale and Clive.

State of play: The proposal includes fewer bus stops, which would speed up travel times for many trips but require some people to walk longer distances to catch a ride, according to Jarrett Walker + Associates, a consultant hired by DART.

• "Microtransit zones" would be created in Ankeny, Clive, and Urbandale to transport people to select destinations via on-demand booking.

Zoom in: Service hours would generally begin an hour later and end an hour earlier on weekdays and an hour earlier on Saturdays to reduce total hours of services when ridership is the lowest.

• The new hours, beginning in June 2026, would be: Monday through Saturday, 6am to 10pm, and Sunday, 7am to 7pm.

The intrigue: Under the plan, DART's operating budget would decrease slightly from $45 million to $43.7 million in the fiscal year that begins in July 2026, partly due to the hours-of-service reduction, Erin Hockman, the transit's chief strategy officer, tells Axios.

What they're saying: Improving reliability and frequency along key corridors would make the proposed new routes more useful for a greater number of people, per Jarrett Walker + Associates

• Overall, the proposed network would allow the average resident to reach around 20% more job sites in 45 minutes or less, per Jarrett.
• "Yes, there's going to be some people who like it, some people who don't and we're going to hear from all of them, but I think being able to increase access with fewer resources is pretty remarkable," DART CEO Amanda Wanke told the commission yesterday.

What's next: DART is seeking public input through September, including an online and print survey and at least nine public meetings around the region.

• DART commissioners will consider potential changes to the draft proposal and vote on the changes before the end of the year.

Review the proposed routes

The first phase of DART's new operations and maintenance campus is expected to be completed in May.

Why it matters: Replacing DART's aging, flood-prone downtown complex is seen by the public transit system's managers as essential to keep buses on the road — and federal dollars are expected to cover most capital costs.

Catch up quick: The new campus is near the Southeast Connector and will replace DART's 1970s-era downtown facilities, which need more than $63 million in upgrades and have been hit by multiple floods.

• Federal regulators advised relocation, suggesting the campus probably won't get grants for updates due to its flooding history.

Between the lines: Building a new campus will cost less in local tax dollars than renovating the flood-prone site.

• DART CEO Amanda Wanke tells Axios that the federal money can only be used for the new campus, not for things like expanding DART's operations budget.

Flashback: An earlier DART relocation concept at the former Chesterfield School site was dropped after federal regulators noted the area may include remnants of an ancient village.

• An archaeological report later cleared the way for development, and the nonprofit Joppa is now considering developing the school site as a "tiny village" for people exiting homelessness.

State of play: DART commissioners in 2023 approved the first nearly $35 million phase, which includes land and design costs as well as the construction of 90% of a bus maintenance facility.

• The second and third phases will involve completing the rest of the maintenance facility, constructing an administrative office and building a bus storage building.
• A timeline for the upcoming phases depends on securing additional federal grants, with the overall project expected to cost just over $100 million.

What we're watching: The future of DART's current 11-acre campus is still unknown, but its location adjacent to Gray's Station — a fast-growing neighborhood connected to Gray's Park — could make it an attractive spot for redevelopment.

✈️ The Des Moines International Airport launched EZ Pickup, a free parking area for those waiting to pick up passengers. (WOI-TV)

🎡 The Iowa State Fair announced its 2026 theme is "Fair Spirit," which will tie into the nation's semiquincentennial. (KGAN)

🗳️ U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) confirmed that she's not seeking reelection next year. (AP)

• U.S Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) announced that she's running for the Senate seat a few hours later. (KCCI)

"Ordinary" by Alex Warren was Spotify's "song of the summer" for DSM.

How it works: Spotify's editors handpicked the top tracks based on streaming data, cultural impact and editorial insight.

Zoom in: Rounding out DSM's five are: "back to friends" by sombr, "Manchild" by Sabrina Carpenter, "Love Me Not" by Ravyn Lenae and "Shake It To The Max (FLY) - Remix" by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng and Shenseea.

😕 The intrigue: According to Spotify data, summer 2025 was the least danceable, lowest-energy summer for music in the last decade.