Posting here instead of the Metroplex board since it is a governmental unit that is failing at it's mission and on the verge of collapse.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit started decades ago as an attempt to create a regional transit authority with light rail. The initial promised 160 miles of rail got scaled back to 84 miles as costs ballooned. Grand Prairie, Arlington and Fort worth stayed out, thus making it a Dallas County centered system. All funded by a 1 cent sales tax
And most of these cities have only a bus stop or two to show for it. They also have little representation on the governing board, which is dominated by Dallas.
Well, after decades of waste and billions of tax dollars collected, a lot of these cities that joined are now trying to get out. Last night, Addison joined Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, Highland Park and University Park in scheduling exit elections. Others could follow suit, and cities have until late February to pull the item from spring ballots and until mid-March to officially rescind elections.
DART is trying to cajole these cities into staying with all sorts of promises. Interestingly, if any city votes to leave, service stops the next day but sales tax collection continues for years until that cities part of the debt is paid off.
Meanwhile, cities like Arlington have started micro transit options where you can travel anywhere within Arlington for $3 each way. Frankly, I've used it a few times and it's quicker than a bus but not as convenient as an Uber. Arlington also is toying with autonomous transit options and has run pilot programs in the entertainment district. The sales tax in Arlington, instead, went to bring the Cowboys and keep the Rangers.
Here's an article about the latest move. If cities start leaving, this may be the death spiral for DART.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2026/01/27/addison-city-council-becomes-sixth-to-schedule-election-on-dart-exit/
Dallas Area Rapid Transit started decades ago as an attempt to create a regional transit authority with light rail. The initial promised 160 miles of rail got scaled back to 84 miles as costs ballooned. Grand Prairie, Arlington and Fort worth stayed out, thus making it a Dallas County centered system. All funded by a 1 cent sales tax
And most of these cities have only a bus stop or two to show for it. They also have little representation on the governing board, which is dominated by Dallas.
Well, after decades of waste and billions of tax dollars collected, a lot of these cities that joined are now trying to get out. Last night, Addison joined Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, Highland Park and University Park in scheduling exit elections. Others could follow suit, and cities have until late February to pull the item from spring ballots and until mid-March to officially rescind elections.
DART is trying to cajole these cities into staying with all sorts of promises. Interestingly, if any city votes to leave, service stops the next day but sales tax collection continues for years until that cities part of the debt is paid off.
Meanwhile, cities like Arlington have started micro transit options where you can travel anywhere within Arlington for $3 each way. Frankly, I've used it a few times and it's quicker than a bus but not as convenient as an Uber. Arlington also is toying with autonomous transit options and has run pilot programs in the entertainment district. The sales tax in Arlington, instead, went to bring the Cowboys and keep the Rangers.
Here's an article about the latest move. If cities start leaving, this may be the death spiral for DART.
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/2026/01/27/addison-city-council-becomes-sixth-to-schedule-election-on-dart-exit/
