DART 'Reimagined' draft would alter microtransit coverage; Urbandale staff urge public feedback

A draft regional transit plan presented to Urbandale officials would change the existing Flex Connect microtransit coverage and expand a new microtransit zone into parts of Urbandale, prompting council members to encourage public feedback at upcoming meetings.

A council representative said the Flex Connect program (operating since about 2019) currently serves the purple area shown in the presentation and connects users to park-and-ride lots and other transfer points. The draft reimagined plan would phase out the current Flex Connect service in favor of a microtransit model working with ride-share providers; staff said there are about "30 unique users" currently using the Flex Connect service in the Urbandale area.

The council member who covers DART matters encouraged residents to attend a DART public meeting at the Urbandale Library on Sept. 22 at 5 p.m., and said the council’s DART commission will receive public feedback in October and meet again Oct. 20 to review comments before a final vote expected later in the year. She noted a recent ridership increase tied to new multifamily housing near Merle Hay and said the draft plan aims to balance coverage and ridership.

The council urged residents and community organizations to participate in the DART public process and promised to push information to city social media channels and community partners. No city vote was taken; the item was a briefing and an encouragement to participate in DART’s public outreach process.