Free Rides to Warming Centers

We want to ensure the health and safety of Greater Des Moines residents. In collaboration with Polk County Emergency Management, DART will provide free fixed-route and Paratransit rides to warming centers in Polk County beginning Tuesday, February 11, and continuing through most of this week.

The National Weather Service predicts that central Iowa will be dealing with a few days of very cold weather.

To access a warming center, you should identify a daytime warming center near you and the bus route to get there. As you board the bus through Thursday morning, tell the driver you're heading to a warming center. Notify the driver when you need to exit the bus at the stop nearest the warming center.

Polk County has a list of approved warming centers here.

Bus Plus riders can request a ride to a warming center by calling DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100.

DART will also offer free rides to Central Iowa Shelter Services (CISS) and Bethel Mission locations.

• Be proactive. Don't wait until your face, hands, or toes are numb to get help. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop quickly.
• Find a center near you. Look at the list of approved emergency centers so you're aware of the safest places to be during extreme cold.
• Plan your trip. You can use the Trip Planner tool on the MyDART app or at ridedart.com to find how to get to the warming center closest to you. Type in the location you are traveling from and the warming center address to see options for riding the bus to get there.
• Let us know. As your board the bus, tell the driver which approved warming center you're heading to so they can give you a ride for free.

Questions? Contact DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100 (Monday – Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)  

Thank you for riding DART!