In 2016, TMD undertook an update of the 2035 plan to reflect changes in the region since the original study was completed in 2010. Since 2010, the region had experienced new population and employment growth, and the transit industry had seen the introduction of new technologies, such as transportation network companies (TNCs) (e.g., Uber, Lyft), smart phone payment applications, and advances in real-time information. DART implemented the 2035 plan in 2012, seeing a nine percent ridership boost through 2015. Building on this growth, the 2035 plan – Year 5 Update focused on creating a comprehensive transit network with expanded mobility options for all parts of the region. The final plan provided a vision of what mobility could look like in Greater Des Moines. It included high-frequency enhanced bus service on major ridership corridors, a robust network of commuter express services in new areas, new crosstown routes to facilitate regional travel, expanded service spans on weekdays and weekends, and mobility hubs to integrate multiple forms of transportation at a single location. As part of this effort, TMD held a number of visioning sessions with stakeholders and conducted a number of surveys to gather feedback from riders and the general public about their interest in investing in a robust transit network for Greater Des Moines.

  • Des Moines DART Forward 2035