Reduced-Fare Options

Simply tell the bus operator or Customer Service team when you pay the fare or purchase a bus pass.

You must have a current school year I.D. from a middle or high school in Polk County. Parents of students who are homeschooled can visit DART Customer Service to get a DART homeschool photo I.D.

How to Get Reduced Fare

• Show your school I.D. when you board the bus or buy your bus pass.
• You do not need to fill out an application.
• Parents may buy passes for students with the student’s school I.D.

You must go to Customer Service at DART Central Station to get a Half Fare I.D. card.

How to Enroll

• Bring a photo I.D. that shows your birthdate (like a driver’s license) to get your Half Fare I.D. card.
• We will take your photo and give you a Half Fare I.D. card.

How to Get Reduced Fare

• Each time you pay, show your DART Half Fare I.D.
• Pay with cash on the bus.
• Buy passes in advance.
• Ask our Customer Service team to add half-fare passes to your MyDART app.

You must go to Customer Service at DART Central Station to get a Half Fare I.D. card.

How to Enroll

• Bring one of these to DART Customer Service:
  • Proof of Social Security disability payments
  • A Medicare card
  • A Health Care Provider Certification form filled out by your doctor. You can get an application from DART Central Station. Have your physician fill it out and bring it with you when you return to apply.
• We will take your photo and give you a Half Fare I.D. card.

How to Get Reduced Fare

• Each time you pay, show your DART Half Fare I.D. card.
• Pay with cash on the bus.
• Buy passes in advance.
• Ask our Customer Service team to add half-fare passes to your MyDART app.

You may also qualify for DART Paratransit service. Learn more.

You must go to Customer Service at DART Central Station to get a Half Fare I.D. card.

How to Enroll

• A staff person from your refugee agency must come with you to sign the application.
• We will take your photo and give you a Half Fare I.D. card.

How to Get Half Fare

• Each time you pay, show your DART Half Fare I.D. card.
• Pay with cash on the bus.
• Buy passes in advance.
• Ask our Customer Service team to add half-fare passes to your MyDART app.

We call this our Ride to Thrive program. Here’s how it works:

• Go to Customer Service at DART Central Station to apply. Bring all needed documents mentioned below.
• Once approved, we’ll give you a Ride to Thrive I.D. card. You can get reduced fare for two years.
• You must re-enroll every two years to keep your discount.

Food Assistance

What to Bring to Apply

• A photo I.D.
• Your Food Assistance Notice of Decision from Iowa HHS

Housing Assistance

What to Bring to Apply

• A photo I.D.
• Proof that you receive Housing Choice Voucher assistance or have an agency you are working with refer you

Workforce Assistance

What to Bring to Apply

• A photo I.D., and
• One of the following:
  • A letter from a job training program
  • Your Unemployment Claim letter (“green sheet”)
  • A Childcare Assistance Notice from Iowa HHS
  • A referral from an agency you are working with

How to Get Half Fare

• Each time you pay, show your DART Ride to Thrive I.D. card.
• Pay with cash on the bus.
• Buy passes in advance.
• Ask our Customer Service team to add half-fare passes to your MyDART app.

Quick Tips on Ride to Thrive Re-Enrollment

• Not sure when to re-enroll? Check the date on your Ride to Thrive I.D. card.
• No longer getting help with food, housing or work? You cannot re-enroll.
• Card expired? You pay full fare.