Today Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority launched a free shuttle to improve access to the Statehouse.

The shuttle picks up riders from two locations: the state’s parking ramp at East Grand and Pennsylvania avenues and the State Historical Building. It runs about every 10 minutes from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, dropping off riders at the west entrance of the state Capitol. DART is using one if its purple and red “Link” buses for the service.

The idea for the shuttle was conceived when legislators and state officials began thinking of ways to make the Capitol more accessible after the parking lots west of the building were removed last summer for construction of West Capitol Terrace, a beautification project converting those parking lots into a public park.

The shuttle will run on a trial basis until March 9, at which time DART will evaluate the project to determine if the service should be expanded to include other buildings on the Capitol complex and a route linking the Capitol to downtown.