[DSM-Iowa] FW: DART Funding Update

Wed Apr 24 18:08:45 UTC 2024

Hello. 

Actually I think that the email header had the email address of the person who sent it. When I navigated to the email using JAWS it read to me who sent the email. However, that might just be me. 

From: DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via DSM-Iowa
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 11:20 AM
To: Des Moines Chapter List, NFB of Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [DSM-Iowa] FW: DART Funding Update

I wish people would sign these messages. Even if they say who it has been sent on behalf of, they really should be signed as a courtesy to readers.

Cindy Lou Ray

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 24, 2024, at 10:56 AM, Mary McGee via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org <mailto:dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

I received this from Catlin today.  Please read it.  

From: Curry, Catlin [mailto:CCurry at ridedart.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 6:23 PM
To: Curry, Catlin <CCurry at ridedart.com <mailto:CCurry at ridedart.com> >
Subject: DART Funding Update

Good evening,

I write to share a positive timely update on DART funding that impacts our budget and services for the next two years. 

Last week, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) awarded DART $3.6 million in one-time funds. These one-time funds will go to DART’s capital budget, allowing us to purchase buses and providing flexibility to use more federal funds for operating expenses.  

At today’s budget hearing, the DART Commission voted to use $3.6 million in federal funds to maintain DART’s services for two years. View an attached press release with more details. This funding will allow us to avoid significant cuts to services that many central Iowans depend on each day. We still expect to collect public input and consider eliminating the D-Line due to low ridership and some funding sources not continuing. 

While we have some short-term stability, we still have significant work to do over the next 18 months. Like many organizations, including our member communities, DART is facing difficult budget decisions as costs continue to rise faster than revenues. A new funding formula that aligns costs with the level of services received is also leading to an increase in the City of Des Moines’ contribution to DART. 

We are committed to working with all DART member communities to find a path forward that builds consensus on funding and services in a way that balances the needs of communities and riders and delivers a strong return on investment for taxpayers, and your involvement in that effort will be essential.

Thank you for all the ways you have engaged in funding and service planning conversations over the past several months. We look forward to sharing more details about how you can continue to engage in the process in the months ahead as we embark on a significant effort that will shape the future of public transit in our region. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you have. 

Talk soon,

Catlin

Catlin Curry [he/him] | Community Mobility Coordinator

DART, Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority

620 Cherry Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

Direct: 515-246-2526 | Cell: 515-204-7419 |  <mailto:ccurry at ridedart.com> ccurry at ridedart.com

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