Dart is applying for FY2025 apportioned 5310 funding for funds for contracted 3RD party funding to provide complementary paratransit service

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Des Moines Regional Transit Authority (operating as Dart) $824,893 on June 1, 2026, under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program (CFDA 20.513) to fund contracted third-party paratransit services and microtransit operations serving seniors and individuals with disabilities in the Des Moines area and Polk County, Iowa.

Dart's paratransit division uses the funding to purchase complementary transportation services from third-party vendors TransIowa Taxi and UZURV, which provide faster trip scheduling, response times, service beyond Dart's geographic boundaries, and enhanced customer service for special requests. This approach creates cost efficiencies and reduces service redundancy while maintaining unified internal scheduling and customer contact for all demand-response services. Dart also applies the funding to operate a microtransit service in Ankeny that replaced on-call service, offering increased service hours and same-day booking capability.

Performance runs through August 31, 2028, with place of performance in Iowa. The assistance type is a formula grant.

Activities

Dart is applying for funds for contracted 3RD party funding to provide complementary paratransit service. Darts demand response/paratransit division coordinates transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities for polk county. Our 5310 projects continue this coordination of services by allowing our paratransit department to purchase third party transportation services (current contracts are with transiowa taxi and uzurv). The purchased transportation allows dart more flexibility in scheduling trips quicker response times traveling beyond the boundaries and enhanced customer service for special requests and/or needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. This creates cost efficiencies for dart and reduces redundancy of services which improves overall service for the clients and residents of the DES moines area.dart is also applying for funding for its microtransit service in ankeny which has replaced the on-call service. This service offers increased service hours and allows for same day booking.indirect costs are not being applied to this application and its scope of work. This application does not include funds for research and/or development activities.

Expected outcomes

The expected outcomes of this grant are increased service flexibility reliability and safety and cost-effectiveness.

Intended beneficiaries

This grant will benefit the riders of public transit in the greater DES moines metropolitan area.

Subrecipient activities

There is no subrecipient activity associated with this grant application.