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Veterans Ride DART Free in May 2018

April 18, 2018

A partnership between Polk County and the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) will allow veterans to ride for free throughout the month of May in order to celebrate and honor their service to our country. With a valid photo identification showing veteran status, veterans are eligible for free rides on DART Local, Express, Flex and On Call services.

DART and Polk County will use ridership numbers in May to determine the need and requirements for a long-term program for veterans. “Better access to DART will help our veterans find and retain employment, secure housing, get to medical appointments and have the necessary means to be successful after returning from active duty,” said Polk County Supervisor and DART Commissioner Angela Connolly.

Veterans with at least 90 days of active duty service and an honorable discharge listed on his or her DD-214 are eligible to ride free. A valid ID must be shown to the bus operator upon boarding.  

Valid IDs to ride DART free in May 2018

  1. Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital card
  2. Retired military service ID
  3. Iowa license with veteran status
  4. Veterans Affairs (VA) photo ID

The VA staff at Polk County River Place can create a photo ID for veterans who do not have a VA hospital card, retired military service ID or Iowa license with veteran status. To create this photo ID, veterans need to bring a form of photo identification and a DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge to VA offices. Staff can also start the process of obtaining a DD-214 form.

For more information, including images of valid IDs, visit ridedart.com.

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is the public transportation provider in and around Polk County. DART operates a family of transportation services that connects thousands of people every day to jobs, school, medical appointments, entertainment and more. For more information about DART services, schedules, route changes, or directions to the nearest DART stop, visit the website at ridedart.com or call 515-283-8100.