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Bus Services

All enrolled DMACC students, faculty and staff ride DART for FREE!

DART local, express, on-call and paratransit services are free to ride, so you can ride to school, work, run errands and more!

To ride free, you must

  1. be a currently enrolled DMACC student or current DMACC faculty or staff member; and
  2. use the free DART mobile pass courtesy of DMACC.
    • First, download the free myDART app to your mobile device from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
    • Second, make sure you have a myDART account associated with your dmacc.edu email address.
      • If you do have an associated account, log into the app using your DMACC email address and the pass should be available in the ticket section of the app. Click on the pass to activate it, scan on the farebox and enjoy your free ride.
      • If you don’t have an associated account, check your DMACC email inbox for an email from DART that contains a link to create your myDART account and follow the prompts.

For more detailed activation information, use the Mobile Pass Introduction guide

If you would prefer to obtain a physical DMACC DART Card, please contact your campus Student Services Office for assistance.

Having trouble? Check out these app tips or call DART Customer Service at (515) 283-8100.

Once you have your DMACC DART Card, you are ready to ride! When you board the bus, scan the QR code on the Farebox, wait for it to register, find a seat and enjoy your trip.

How to Get to DMACC on DART

Local Routes 3, 15, 17 & 60

Riders from DMACC Ankeny traveling to DMACC Urban can board Express Route 98 in Ankeny and ride to downtown Des Moines. Once downtown: Get off the bus at the stop on Grand Avenue near 5th (YMCA, Stop 3434) and walk to the stop on 6th Ave, just south of Grand Ave. (Stop 568)

At this stop, board either:

Ride the route to one of the stops along 6th near Mercy Hospital, before the buses cross or turn on University Avenue. Walk across 6th Avenue after getting off the bus to access the DMACC Campus.

Local Route 16

Riders from DMACC Ankeny traveling to DMACC Urban can board Express Route 98 in Ankeny and ride to downtown Des Moines. Once downtown: Get off the bus at the stop on Grand Avenue near 7th Street (across from Ruan Center, Stop 3435) or 9th Street (801 Grand, Stop 3437) and walk to the stop located on 8th Street, just south of the intersection with High Street (Stop 650).

At this stop board Local Route 16 - Douglas Ave

Ride the route north to either 9th and Laurel (Stop 692) or 9th and Enos Ave (Stop 700) and walk to the DMACC Urban Campus.

DART On Demand

DART On Demand is a new type of public transportation called microtransit. DART is testing this new service in Ankeny as a pilot program.

DART On Demand uses a smartphone application and smaller buses to provide service when you want and where you want within a designated zone. Don’t worry, you don’t need a smartphone to ride DART On Demand!

DART On Demand operates
Monday - Friday,
from 6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

DMACC students, faculty and staff will ride fare free on this service as part of their unlimited access benefits!

The DART On Demand Zone

DART On Demand is a curb-to-curb service that operates within a designated zone in Ankeny. All trips must start and end within the designated zone. Its boundaries consist of four major roadways.

  • North - 36th Street
  • East - SE Four Mile Drive
  • South - NE 62nd Avenue
  • West - SW Irvinedale Drive

Trips can also be booked to any bus stop within the zone to connect to DART’s Fixed Route service. Riders can connect to Express Route 98 and Local Route 4.

3 Ways to Book a Ride

DART On Demand rides can be booked when you need them or scheduled in advance.

DART On Demand App

  • FIRST TIME USERS Download the DART On Demand app from the App Store or Google Play store and follow the simple signup steps to create an account.
  • Log into your account.
  • Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations.
  • Choose the ride option that works best for you.
  • Track your ride in real-time while you wait.

Web Portal

  • FIRST TIME USERS Follow the simple signup steps to create an account.
  • Click to open the web portal or click the “Book a Ride” button.
  • Log into your account.
  • Enter your pick-up and drop-off locations.
  • Choose the ride option that works best for you.
  • If you entered a valid cell phone, you will be sent a link to track your ride in real-time.

Calling Customer Service

  • FIRST TIME USERS You will need to provide your name and phone number to create an account.
  • Call 515-283-8100 to book your trip.
  • Request a DART On Demand trip and give the customer service representative your name, pick-up and drop-off locations and what time you would like to book a ride.
  • If your account it tied to a valid cell phone, you will be sent a link to track your ride in real-time.

The DMACC Des Moines/Urban Campus is served by Local Routes 3, 15, 16, 17 and 60.

  • Route 3: Provides service between DART Central Station and Valley West along University Avenue, with stops at 6th & University at the Urban Campus.
  • Route 15: Provides service between DART Central Station and Park Fair Mall with a stop at 6th & University at the Urban Campus.
  • Route 16: Provides service between DART Central Station and Merle Hay Mall with a stop at 9th & University at the Urban Campus.
  • Route 17: Provides service between DART Central Station and Altoona Walmart Park and Ride with a stop at 6th & University at the Urban Campus.
  • Route 60: Provides service between DART Central Station and University/Ingersoll including stops at University and 6th Avenue and University and ML King Parkway

For additional information, please call DART at 515-283-8100.

DMACC Southridge Center is served by Local Routes 6 and 7.

  • Route 6 Provides service between DART Central Station and Southridge Mall, including destinations at the SE 14th Street Walmart and along SE 5th Street.
  • Route 7 Provides service between DART Central Station and Southridge Mall, including destinations at Fort Des Moines, Blank Park Zoo and the South Side Library.

DART service does not extend directly to the West campus. Routes 52, 72 and 96 travel to the nearby Jordan Creek Town Center.

Local Routes

View other Local DART routes (click on appropriate route).

Want to see if your bus is on time?

View real-time data on myDART Trip Planner.

Wheelchair Accessible

All DART vehicles are wheelchair accessible. People with disabilities may also be eligible for Paratransit bus service. Learn more about Paratransit and the application process.

For more information, please call DART’s Paratransit Department at 515-283-8136.