Grimes has selected a replacement for public transit services after the city left the Des Moines Area Regional Transit system.
Grimes City Council in March approved an agreement with the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency, or HIRTA, to provide services to Grimes residents beginning in June when the city's contract with DART expires.
The council opted in November 2023 to pull out of DART after the city found only 13 residents had used the system despite paying almost $646,000 that fiscal year in property taxes for DART's services.
HIRTA is reaching out to riders in Grimes to coordinate services, according to a city news release.
The release added that HIRTA also will partner with the local charity Grimes Volunteer Support Services — a group of 70 volunteers who help more than 210 Grimes residents access medical appointments, shopping, social events, libraries and other activities.
“Providing accessible transit options for our residents is an essential step in ensuring that all of our residents, regardless of their mobility challenges, have access to reliable and affordable transportation," City Manager Jake Anderson said in the release.
The year-long contract with HIRTA says Grimes will reimburse HIRTA monthly, up to a total of $75,000 over the year — June 15, 2025, through June 30, 2026, according to City Council documents. HIRTA also will submit an annual report, starting in October 2026, that will include the number of trips provided within the city.
What is the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency?
HIRTA serves people in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Story, and Warren counties.
Riders schedule pickups by calling 877-686-0029, emailing [email protected] or using the HIRTA On Demand app.
HIRTA provided almost 100,000 rides from Dec. 1, 2022, through Dec. 1, 2023, including almost 10,400 rides in Dallas County, according to its website. That was more than 55,000 hours of service for more than 2,600 active riders.
More than one-third of HIRTA's funding is federally sourced, followed by contracts and state funding. Local taxes, grants, fares and donations also contribute to its funding.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at [email protected] or on X at @pslifeisabeauty. Find outmore about him onlinethrough the Register's staff directory.