DART Sets Record Ridership to Iowa State Fair

More people than ever took advantage of public transit to get to the Iowa State Fair in 2015. DART set record ridership to the Fair this year with 241,912 rides, a 9 percent increase over 2014. 

DART General Manager Elizabeth Presutti says the service reduces traffic congestion, saves fairgoers money and provides a fun alternative to driving and parking at the Fair. The increase can be attributed to the increased attendance at the Iowa State Fair, which saw record attendance this year, and the half-price fare promotion for having a pre-paid Fair ticket.  Having great weather for the fair always helps to boost ridership as well.

“DART looks forward to the Iowa State Fair service every year,” said Presutti. “During those 11 days, thousands of people are introduced to public transportation, and our staff works hard to provide a fun, stress-free trip for them.”

This marks the third year of DART increases in ridership to the Fair. DART provides public transit service to the fairgrounds from three park and rides located at the Center Street Park and Ride, State Capitol Complex and Southeast Polk High School. DART started providing supplemental transit service to the fairgrounds in 1997.