Public Transit is a Civil Rights issue—We Must Speak Up

At the Des Moines NAACP, we are committed to ensuring every citizen in our region can truly thrive— not just survive. That’s why this week, we’re focusing on an issue that impacts every part of our community's well-being, but especially the Black community: Public Transportation.

Public transit is more than just a bus ride. It is about access and economic opportunity.

Why Public Transit Matters

A recent report, One Economy: A Path Forward, confirms what many in our community experience every day: Transportation challenges hold people back. Here’s what the report reveals about transportation in Polk County:

• 16% of Black adults lack reliable transportation (compared to just 5.1% of white adults)

• Black residents are 3 times more likely to use public transit than white residents

• Black workers are overrepresented in industries that require reliable, physical access to job sites — like Manufacturing, Transportation, Warehousing, and Service jobs

• Black workers are far less likely to work remotely, meaning they rely more heavily on transportation to survive

  
  

Without affordable, reliable public transportation, Black residents miss out on job opportunities, educational access, healthcare, and social connection. Public transit is not a convenience or a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Transportation is a Civil Rights Issue

The NAACP has long recognized that access to public transportation is a basic civil right. The National NAACP has passed a resolution declaring that lack of transportation access creates economic harm and reinforces racial inequality. Locally, our branch believes that to thrive in the Des Moines Metro, essential needs like housing, healthcare, and transportation must be met.

And yet, our public transit system is facing potential cuts due to lack of investment in public transit and changes in property tax legislation in Iowa. This could mean fewer routes, reduced frequency, and even more barriers for people who rely on transit the most.

ReImagine DART — Your Input Matters

Right now, DART is in the process of redesigning the entire transit system through its ReImagine DART initiative. This is your opportunity to speak up and ensure that public transit works for all of us — not just for those who can afford to drive.

What You Can Do

We’re calling on our members and community to act:

✅ Share Your Voice

In April, DART will begin gathering public feedback. Review their proposed concepts and share your input electronically. Click here to give feedback.

• We also encourage you to attend a public meeting

  • April 9, 6pm - East Side Library

  • April 10, 5pm - Ankeny Public Library

  • April 14, 6pm - Forest Avenue Library

  • April 17, 11:30am - Dart Central Station

  • April 24, 6pm - Zoom

  • April 28, 5pm - Urbandale Public Library

✅ Contact Your Local Leaders

Let your elected officials know that public transit is a civil right and a community need.

✅ Spread the Word

Share this blog post. Talk to your family, friends, and networks about why public transit matters, especially for Black Iowans.

Public transportation is how we connect to jobs, education, healthcare, and one another. It’s how we build an equitable community where every person can live, work, and thrive.

We must use our voices now — before critical decisions are made without us at the table.

Victoria Henderson Weber

President | NAACP Des Moines