At a Glance
- Five North Texas cities may vote May 2 to leave DART
- 800 bus stops, 10 rail stations, and two new Silver Line stops could shut May 3
- Withdrawals would end service the day after election certification
- Why it matters: Riders could lose transit access overnight if voters approve exits
Five North Texas cities are weighing whether to pull out of Dallas Area Rapid Transit this spring, a move that could immediately idle 800 bus stops, 10 light-rail stations, and two Trinity Railway Express stations.
City councils in Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, and University Park have called May 2 special elections on DART membership. If voters in any of the five cities choose to leave, DART says it would halt service there as soon as May 3, the day after results are certified.
The stakes are outlined in a new agency report prepared for Tuesday’s leadership meeting. Among the most visible losses: the two Silver Line stations that opened in Plano just months ago.
“This could mean the Silver Line stations that just opened up in cities like Plano, for instance, would be closed, so you couldn’t ride the Silver Line from Plano,” said Jeamy Molina, DART chief communications officer. “You would have to go to the next potential member city that has access to those stations.”
What Service Would Disappear
A withdrawal would trigger an instant suspension of:
- 800 bus stops within city limits
- 13 GoLink on-demand zones
- 2 Trinity Railway Express stations
- 10 light-rail stops, including the new Silver Line platforms
- Paratransit trips that start or end in the departing cities
The agency’s 13 member cities pool a one-cent sales tax to fund the regional network. Losing any member cuts both revenue and the legal right to operate inside that city’s borders.
Why Cities Want Out
Officials in the five cities cite four main complaints:
- Rising cost of sales-tax contributions
- Perceived gaps in service quality
- Safety concerns on trains and at stations
- Limited representation on the DART board
Many local leaders backing secession say they already have plans to replace DART with home-grown transit options, though the agency warns replacement could take months or years.
Addison Debate Ends Without Action
Addison briefly explored joining the exodus. After a tense Tuesday-night council session and dozens of resident comments, members failed to reach consensus. The town will seek more public input and continue talks with DART, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Community Meetings Ahead
DART will host 14 public meetings before the May vote, starting March 24. Agency officials say the sessions are required by law so riders understand what they could lose.
“We’re legally required to make sure that we call for a public hearing to make sure that all of our customers and everyone across the service area understands the potential of service impacts,” Molina said. “With five cities having withdrawal elections on the calendar, there could be many, many impacts to what could happen to the DART system.”
Key Takeaways
- Service stops the moment election results are certified
- Riders in neighboring cities like Richardson could also lose connecting routes
- No contingency service is guaranteed while cities craft local replacements
- The first public briefing is set for March 24
