DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Area Regional Transit has been offering park-and-ride shuttle service to the Iowa State Fair since 2006. For many fairgoers, it’s the most convenient way to get there.
In the first five days of the fair this year, DART offered 135,000 trips to the fair.
DART has three park-and-ride locations: South East Polk High School, the State Capitol, and the 7th and Center Street parking garage. Parking is free at these locations. Fairgoers only need to purchase a bus ticket, which starts at $2 for adults.
Brandon Anderson, a communications specialist at DART, said for many passengers, the park-and-ride service will be their first time using DART.
“It really helps us introduce people to DART services. There are some people who use our park-and-ride shuttles who have never taken the bus before. In fact, I’ve spoken to some directly who said, ‘I’ve never experienced DART, but I’ll be back, and that’s really great to hear.’ So we really like the State Fair shuttle service, not only because we’re seeing an increase in ridership during this time, but because more people are seeing what we’re all about,” Anderson said.
Shuttle service begins at 8 a.m. and runs until midnight during the fair. For more information about DART’s park-and-ride service, visit the DART website.
