A new Capital Crossroads survey found that young professionals in Greater Des Moines place better public transportation at the top of their wish list for the next five years, ahead of better parks, river access and cleaning up blighted properties.

They also want citywide Wi-Fi, more affordable housing, more bike lanes and bike racks, a revamp of Water Works Park, a year-round farmers market, a midsize music venue and more public art.

Capital Crossroads used Survey Monkey and sent the link to 58 young professional organizations. They survey drew responses from 446 residents. The results above reflect weighted averages of the choices, ranked in order of support from highest to lowest.

Jay Byers, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, which includes Capital Crossroads, said the newly named Transit Future Work Group will use the data while reviewing a range of issues in the area, including the possibility of adding a bus rapid transit line, more bike lanes, better walking routes and other perks that help employers attract workers. Part of that work has been to gauge support for a bus rapid transit route in the area, a project that has been delayed as area officials assess the political and financial backing for the plan.

“We are very much in learning mode,” Byers said. “We are looking at all kinds of transportation issues in Central Iowa.”

The work group plans trips to Grand Rapids, Mich., and Kansas City, Mo., to study transportation offerings there, including bus rapid transit. The Urban Land Institute Iowa is working with the Partnership to stage a seminar on related issues this year, Byers said. Also, a survey of older residents, in cooperation with AARP, is in the works.

Tiffany Tauscheck, the Partnership’s chief communications officer, said that in the suburbs, improving public transportation ranked second only to improving parks and river access among top priorities.

Amanda Wanke, DART’s chief engagement and communications officer, said the results are consistent with previous findings and will be considered as the agency works on its newest master plan this fall and winter.

Wanke said the bus rapid transit route proposed as a loop from downtown to Ingersoll and University avenues would be the type of service many young professionals have called for here and in other metro markets. DART would like to pursue the project if it becomes clear the demand and financing are both in place, she added.

“We are definitely pleased and not surprised that transit is a top priority for young adults,” Wanke said.