November 8, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

Frustrated by lack of service and financial support, officials in 4 cities served by Dallas Area Rapid Transit have called for ballot initiatives next spring to let voters decide to stay as a member or pull out of DART rail and bus services.

Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Irving and Plano city councils have all voted to hold elections next May and let voters decide to remain or leave as DART member cities.

Several of the cities have voiced concern on a perceived imbalance between sales tax contributions and the level of service received within city boundaries.  A 2024 study by Ernst and Young, presented to the DART board, showed that seven cities paid more in sales tax then was allocated for services. 

Transit advocates and citizens swiftly reacted reacted to the cities decision. In Irving, some 30 citizens voiced support for DART during an open comments period. 

Madison McNair is a DART rider from Garland. “For me and many others, DART isn't just public transportation,” McNair told the Irving City council. “DART is how we get to live our lives. Uber and Via are not replacements for disabled people, as most vehicles are inaccessible for mobility aids, unlike DART paratransit vehicles.” McNair said the next step after the council decision is mobilizing voters and told KERA radio “right now, we need to get the word out that DART is in danger.” 

Lizeth Mendoza is an Irving resident who came to advocate on behalf of DART riders, although she isn’t one herself. Mendoza said DART provides transportation options to those who might not be able to afford a car or insurance. “Just because we don't use it doesn't mean we shouldn't advocate for others to have it,” Mendoza said. “It doesn’t mean we shouldn't care.”

Dallas Area Transit Alliance, a grass-roots group, firmly opposes the pullout elections. "If these cities leave DART, the proposed withdrawals would jeopardize vital transit services for thousands of riders both inside and outside their city who rely on DART every day to access jobs, education, healthcare and essential services." 

DART's daily ridership tops 220,000 passengers and shows an annual ridership of over 55 million passengers, according to 2024 data. This includes rail, bus and paratransit services. 

A recent survey conducted by Hunt Research found that voters in Plano and Farmers Branch overwhelmingly oppose the idea of their cities leaving DART. Ross Hunt, a representative from Hunt Research, stated there were "really aren't any groups that are in favor of pulling out of DART," based on the survey of voters in those cities. 

Most of the cities in the DART service area have been members since 1983.

in 2023 Plano contributed $109 million while only $44 million was spent within city limits. The numbers, though, do not account for the ability of residents to travel from Plano, also Irving, Farmers Branch and Highland Park now in the DART network to other destinations within the region.

Plano just became the beneficiary of the completed Silver Line, which now links the city to DFW International Airport. That was a $2 billion project that benefits Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, and borders Coppell (which is not in the DART network).

A bill filed during the 2025 legislative session in Austin by Plano Republican Representative Matt Shaheen attempted to reduce sales tax paid to DART. The bill failed.