DART reform plan prompts Plano to cancel withdrawal vote; more cities to decide this week
Monday night marks the start of a pivotal week for the future of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART): The City of Plano is the first of six member cities to reverse course and cancel a special election, which would have let voters decide whether to withdraw from the transit agency.
"Plano pushed for meaningful change, and we achieved it," Plano Mayor John Muns said. "This agreement guarantees a minimum funding return and creates a stronger framework moving forward. While it is not everything we initially proposed, it represents real progress for our community and the region."
The DART board passed a new plan last week, which would return a portion of the annual sales tax revenue to its member cities over the next six years.
Funding model returns sales tax revenue
The plan sends a portion of DART's 1% sales tax revenue back to member cities. In year one, cities would receive 5%, increasing by 0.5% each year to 7.5% in year six – matching the structure outlined in the release.
Combined with $75 million from the Regional Transportation Council, cities would receive a total guaranteed 10% in year six. The release specifies that the 10% is a combination of DART's contribution and RTC funding.
State-level priorities included in agreement
The agreement also establishes state-level funding priorities, including:
- possible governance changes,
- transferring management of the Trinity Railway Express and Silver Line to a regional transportation authority, and
- pursuing additional non–tax-based funding sources.
Member cities' votes continue this week
The cities of Farmers Branch and Addison will decide on Tuesday if they want to cancel their withdrawal elections. Irving will do the same on Thursday.
Highland Park does not have a vote scheduled yet, but University Park says it will allow voters to decide in May. Under the deal, if any city votes to withdraw, DART service in the city will end immediately.