In a unanimous vote, Plano City Council members voted to call a special election at a Nov. 5 special meeting, joining other DART member cities, including Highland Park and Farmers Branch, in holding an election to propose a DART withdrawal. Irving City Council will vote at a special meeting Nov. 6.
Plano’s announcement about considering the special election came less than a week after the Silver Line, DART’s new 26-mile commuter rail, launched in seven cities across North Texas.
What it means
With the four cities considering a special election, approximately $242.4 million in annual sales tax contributions to DART could be impacted, which represents about 29% of the $834.4 million in total contributions available to DART.
DART CEO and President Nadine Lee said Oct. 29 that all services in Plano would stop the day after the election if voters approved the withdrawal and that the entire DART system would be impacted.
“Many riders travel, for example, from Dallas to Plano for work,” she said. “It's not just residents of Plano who would be affected.”
Additionally, as DART member cities continue to pay off the agency’s debt, Plano would still be responsible for contributing financially to DART for 7-10 years once leaving, Mayor John Muns said.
However, rather than fully breaking ties with the agency, Plano may choose to become a customer city of DART, paying for select services.
Director of Government Relations Andrew Fortune said alternative transit options are still a “blank canvas” that could include Collin County transit partnerships, similar to the Denton County Transportation Authority.
“Our residents go north just as much as they go south these days,” Fortune said. “We’re now reaching this window that staff felt it important that this conversation is something ... to seek direction [on].”
By the numbers
Plano officials also point to a 2023 Ernst and Young Infrastructure Advisors study showing a “clear disparity in spending” as one reason for calling the special meeting.
The report found Plano contributed about $109.6 million in sales tax and saw $44.6 million in expenses within the city in FY 2023.
Fortune said Plano officials understand public transit is not a “dollar in, dollar out” system, but the disparities presented in the study were too significant.
The study notes its findings represent a “snapshot in time,” specifically as it was completed prior to the Silver Line launch and DART’s upcoming light rail fleet rollout.
How we got here
Fortune said another reason for calling the special election is that Plano officials have “repeatedly” tried negotiating to receive more Plano-specific DART services, submitting four reform plans for the DART system dating back to last December.
“We have asked previously numerous times for an ‘a la carte’ model from DART,” Fortune said.
During the 89th legislative session, Plano officials supported Texas House Bill 3187, which died in the House, but would have created a permanent general mobility program that redirected 25% of DART’s sales tax revenues back to its member cities.
DART approved a general mobility plan that would redistribute 5% of the agency's collected sales tax to member cities as part of its most recent budget.
Plano’s DART board of directors representative Anthony Ricciardelli also asked board members to consider budget amendments asking DART to fully fund a new bus route that runs between the Parker Road DART Station and northwest Plano, and making DART’s on-demand vehicle service, GoLink, one continuous, city-wide zone.
Both motions were denied, but the route was approved and is half funded by DART. Plano’s GoLink zones were expanded but the service did not become single-zone.
“We’ve been continuing talking for six and a half years ... with no result,” Mayor Pro Tem Maria Tu said. “We need something that actually addresses our needs to connect [Plano and Collin County] ... Why can't we do Collin County Area Rapid Transit?"
Lee said the agency has worked in good faith to address Plano’s concerns and invited city officials to work to find a solution instead of an election.
Lee noted expanded GoLink zones, the approved Legacy Circulator route and decreased crime numbers on DART.
DART Board Chairman Randall Bryant said he hopes the agency can continue working with Plano.
"I think it's a continued approach by this city and those that have stood along with this city to push hard one way and hope that something beneficial happens for them," he said. "Hopefully something will change ... we've voted to give this city in particular a lot of things that they've specifically requested. I hope to continue to implement the things we committed to and hope they find value in it too."
What happened
More than 100 individuals registered to speak at the Nov. 5 meeting, with the majority speaking against Plano withdrawing from the DART system. A handful of speakers spoke in favor of the split, citing crime and safety concerns.
Several speakers mentioned concerns about commuting to work from other cities, accessibility for disabled riders and a lack of stability with microtransit alternatives.
“As a constituent of Plano, hearing that my town’s leadership is considering withdrawing from the DART system makes me feel disappointed,” Plano resident Sarah Hernandez said. “My husband and I don’t see ourselves setting our roots down in Plano if it’s not serviceable by DART.”
Plano Planning and Zoning Commissioner Michael Brounoff said officials should postpone a decision and call in a professional mediator to work out a negotiation with DART.
“Before you invoke the nuclear option and call an election, ... [Plano officials should] dial down the rhetoric, de-escalate and postpone a decision on calling an election,” Brounoff said.
Looking ahead
Plano residents will decide on Plano’s future in DART in a May 2026 election.
Fortune said Plano officials plan to implement an alternative transit plan prior to the May 2026 election that could either replace or supplement existing DART options.
Additionally, Fortune said Plano officials have set aside $4 million as an initial investment into alternative transit options.
He added that citizens can only be approached once every six years to reconsider their city’s participation in DART, which prompted the need to call the election. Fortune said officials have until 45 days prior to the May 2 election to continue negotiations with DART.
“This isn’t something we can put off until next year,” Fortune said. “[This] simply puts the ball in DART’s court.”
Residents can find more information about the city’s next steps at plano.gov/transit.
