DALLAS COUNTY, Texas - DART officials have approved a General Mobility Plan and inter-local agreement designed to address funding and governance concerns raised by member cities while establishing a long-term framework for regional transit cooperation. DART had scheduled a public hearing for March 24th after several cities had added the option to withdraw from DART service in May elections. Along with Irving, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Plano and University Park had announced withdrawal elections. The Irving City Council outlined the reasons for calling the special election.
The new plan, approved by the DART Board of Directors, proposes sharing a portion of the agency’s 1% sales tax revenue with its 13 member cities if adopted by each city council. Under the proposal, participating cities would receive 5% of DART sales tax revenue in the first year, increasing by 0.5% annually until reaching 7.5% in year six.
The funding model combines DART contributions with support from the Regional Transportation Council of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and anticipates future funding initiatives. Earlier in February, the Regional Transportation Council approved $75 million for transportation-related projects within DART member cities. Combined funding would provide cities a total contribution equal to 10% by fiscal year 2031.
DART Board Chairman Randall Bryant described the agreement as a collaborative solution among regional partners.
“This solution is a victory for North Texans,” Bryant said. “When the DART Board, DART staff, member cities, and regional partners work together to find common ground, we are able to focus on solutions.”
The agreement also outlines priorities that DART and regional partners intend to pursue at the state level, including potential changes to governance structures, transferring management of commuter rail services such as the Trinity Railway Express and Silver Line to a regional transportation authority, and identifying additional funding sources that do not rely on taxes.
DART President and Chief Executive Officer Nadine Lee said the proposal has received positive feedback from member cities, including those considering withdrawal elections.
“The compromise benefits all member cities and is truly regional at its core,” Lee said. “This provides a path forward and reunites us all toward a common goal: a regional transit system that moves North Texas forward.”
Member cities have until mid-March to rescind withdrawal elections. DART is hosting community education meetings ahead of a legally required public hearing scheduled for March 24. Officials said that if voters in any city choose to withdraw from DART, transit service in that city would end once election results are certified. Information on the public hearing and community meetings can be found at www.dart.org/publichearing.
