A- A+

Veterans Ride DART Free, Effective June 18

June 14, 2018

Following a successful pilot in May, Polk County Veterans Affairs and DART are partnering to provide free rides for veterans long-term, beginning June 18.

Veterans boarded DART buses 8,450 times during the month of May. “The ridership from May shows just how important public transportation is for veterans in Polk County,” said Polk County Supervisor and DART Commissioner Angela Connolly. “Improving access to transportation 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.”

With a valid photo identification showing veteran status, veterans are eligible for free rides on DART Local, Express, Flex and On Call services.

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 include:

  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.