The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority has a new leader as the bus system prepares to launch its new routes in a few weeks.
The DART Board of Commissioners announced Friday, May 1, the selection of Erin Hockman as CEO. Hockman, who has been with DART for 10 years, will start in her new role May 7, according to a news release.
DART is launching its new system of bus routes June 14, a plan known as Reimagine DART.
Hockman credited DART’s success to talented and dedicated employees committed to delivering the best experiences to riders.
“I am excited about the transformative changes we’re making to our bus routes next month, which will expand access to more people while delivering a stronger return on investment and lowering costs to taxpayers,” she said in the news release.
On June 14, DART will replace its current routes with 10 main routes that “run more often, 7 days a week, on the busiest streets of the Des Moines metro,” according to its website. More information is available at ridedart.com/newroutes.
DART’s departing CEO Amanda Wanke’s last day is May 9. Wanke announced her resignation in March, leaving for a leadership position with Metro Transit in the Twin Cities in Minnesota that’s closer to family, she said.
What was Erin Hockman’s previous role at DART?
Hockman, who started with DART in 2016, has most recently been its chief administrative and strategy officer. She helped spearhead Reimagine DART, according to Friday’s news release.
DART commission chairwoman and Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen said in the release Hockman is “passionate about what public transit makes possible and has helped shape it, with a deep commitment to the personal and economic impact it has on people’s lives. As we get ready to roll out Reimagine DART and whatever follows in the years ahead, we’re confident she’s the right person to continue advancing public transit’s impact in Greater Des Moines.”
Hockman and her husband, Dustin, have two children and live in West Des Moines.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com. Find out more about him online in the Register’s staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: DART names new CEO ahead of Reimagine DART launch
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
