At a Glance
- University Park council will vote Tuesday on calling a May 2 special election to exit DART
- City has paid $100 million in sales tax since 1983 for limited bus & on-demand service
- If voters approve withdrawal, DART service stops immediately but debt payments continue
- Why it matters: Exit could trigger regional transit shake-up as Highland Park, Irving, Farmers Branch and Plano weigh similar votes
University Park leaders are poised to decide whether residents will get the chance to cut the city’s 42-year tie to Dallas Area Rapid Transit, a move that would ripple across North Texas transit planning.
The Vote and What Happens Next
Council members will consider an ordinance Tuesday evening that would set the May 2 ballot question: should University Park leave DART? Approval would kick off a 90-day sprint to notify state agencies and coordinate polling sites with Dallas County.
A successful election would:
- End GoLink Park Cities on-demand rides and Route 237 along Preston Road the next day
- Stop SMU Express Shuttle service jointly run with the university
- Keep the city on the hook for its share of DART-related debt
Why Council Members Want Out
Frustration centers on three issues:
- Cost: a full penny of local sales tax-more than $100 million contributed since 1983
- Service: only limited bus and on-demand coverage
- Governance: questions over how the agency is run
DART officials counter that recent overhauls address these concerns:
- New governance structure
- Fleet upgrades and security increases
- Equity-focused service reallocation
Regional Trend Grows
University Park would become the latest city to reconsider DART membership:
| City | Status |
|---|---|
| Highland Park | Election scheduled |
| Irving | Election scheduled |
| Farmers Branch | Election scheduled |
| Plano | Considering vote |
Key Takeaways
- Tuesday’s council vote determines if the May 2 election moves forward
- Voter approval ends local DART service but not the city’s financial obligations
- The city has contributed $100 million-plus since joining in 1983
- A wave of exit votes across North Texas could reshape regional transit
The council’s decision Tuesday evening sets the stage for a May referendum that could redefine how-and whether-University Park participates in the region’s public transit future.
