DART prepares transportation service for annual Iowa State Fair

The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is preparing to provide its Park & Ride transportation service for the annual Iowa State Fair.

The fair, which runs from 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 through Sunday, Aug. 23, is a popular annual event that draws not only Des Moines residents but also fairgoers from across the state, region and country. Due to its high demand, DART’s Park & Ride service is providing free parking at 7th and Center Street and the Iowa State Capitol. From either location, attendees can pay a $3 fee to ride a DART bus to Gate 10 on the west side of the fairgrounds. The buses will depart every 15 minutes from both locations. Once fairgoers want to leave the fair, they can go to Gate 10 for a ride back to their vehicles.

This year, DART made improvements for parking at Center Street, with more shaded parking spaces and waiting areas available.

“We are excited to continue offering a safe, affordable and convenient travel option to the Iowa State Fair,” said Luis Montoya, DART deputy CEO and chief operating officer, in a press release. “Our strong partnership with the Iowa State Fair makes accessing this signature event possible for tens of thousands of fairgoers who don’t have to worry about parking and walking a long distance.”

Each day of the fair, DART’s Park & Ride service will operate from 8 a.m. until midnight, except for Aug. 23, when the fairgrounds close around 9 p.m. Ticket discounts for the Park & Ride service are available for:

• Riders who are ages 6-10, 65 and older, or Medicare cardholders can pay $1 to ride.
• Children 5 and under can ride for free.
• Veterans can ride free on Monday, Aug. 17, for Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair.
• Riders can purchase tickets for $2 in DART’s MyDART mobile app beginning on Aug. 1.

For full details about DART’s Iowa State Fair service, visit ridedart.com/fair or contact DART Customer Service at 515-283-8100.