Ride a DART bus for FREE in October

Thu September 27 2007
Posted Sep 27, 2007
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DART Bike & Ride Program a Rolling Success The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) introduced its Bike & Ride program to the community in 2005 and it has been racking up users ever since.

The program has averaged over 1,300 uses a month since the bike racks were installed on DART’s 100-bus fleet, and set a record for uses (3,302) during August of 2007. To celebrate the success of the program and encourage new users to try the bike racks, DART is allowing all passengers who board with a bike to ride for FREE during the month of October. “We are pleased that so many people have utilized the bike racks,” said DART Commission Chair, Christine Hensley. “The Bike & Ride program has increased the transportation choices for Greater Des Moines residents by making DART’s services more convenient and expanding our service area.” The easy-to-use bike racks are located on the front of every DART regular fixed-route and express bus, and can accommodate up to two bikes at a time. There is no charge for using them. Passengers are responsible for loading and unloading their own bikes. Bikes are secured with spring-loaded clamps by the tires, not the frame. Two loaded bikes will not touch each other while on the rack, and each bike can be loaded or unloaded independently without affecting other bikes. To assist customers in using bike racks, DART has a step-by-step demonstration video on its website (www.ridedart.com) and developed a user-friendly brochure that provides detailed descriptions and instructions on how to use the bike racks. The Bike & Ride brochure is available on DART’s website or by contacting DART’s customer service department at 515-283-8100, or info@ridedart.com. Brian M Litchfield Chief Development Officer DART blitchfield@ridedart.com