In total, 171 speakers shared their concerns during a July 8 DART public hearing on proposed changes that would eliminate some bus routes and reduce train frequencies. If approved, every service DART offers will be impacted, according to the agency’s website.
Some context
DART is largely funded by sales tax contributions from member-cities and in June 2024, Plano city officials began calling for an interlocal agreement between the agency and member-cities to create a fund allowing up to 25% sales tax collected by DART to be used for local transportation projects.
During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, State Representative Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, filed HB 3187, which would have allowed member-cites to collect up to 25% of sales tax.
Shaheen and Plano city officials cited a 2024 report from Ernst and Young Infrastructure Advisors that found multiple member-cities, including Plano and Richardson, pay more in sales tax than what was needed for operations, capital and interest expenses to maintain transit lines in those cities.
In March, DART board members voted to approve a general mobility program of 5% of collected sales tax. HB 3187 was not approved during the 89th legislative session.
The details
Because new services are being requested that aren’t currently funded and budget changes stemming from the general mobility plan, DART staff proposed the largest service cuts in the organization’s history. The proposed reduction includes eliminating nine bus routes, south Dallas GoLink and all GoLink zone-to-zone pilots, Hans-Michael Ruthe, Project Manager of Service Planning for DART, said.
The proposal also includes Frequency Reductions on:
- Most bus routes
- Light rails
- Trinity Railway Express (TRE)
- Silver Line
Other changes include increasing paratransit fare to $6 and reducing the service area to within three-quarter of a mile of fixed-route services.
What they’re saying
During the public hearing, Richardson resident Matthew Martin said he took DART to the hearing because it was less stressful and quicker than driving on U.S. 75.
“If these frequency reductions went into effect, the timing with my job wouldn’t have worked and I’d have been forced to drive, which would increase traffic,” Martin said.
He said service reduction will diminish the investment member-cities have made in DART.
“I am against the [general mobility program] and reductions to service and frequency because it would increase traffic, reduce freedom in transportation choices, is economically foolhardy and ultimately would increase taxes,” Martin said.
Richardson City Council Member Joe Corcoran, who testified in opposition to HB 3187 in Austin during the legislative session, said the service cuts “will be painful,” but he wants to work with DART and member-cities to find a solution so the legislature doesn’t have to become involved again.
“Everything needs to be on the table to negotiate with the other member-cities,” Corcoran said.
Additionally, Corcoran said he wants DART and member-cities to use input from the public hearings to find something suitable for everyone, including riders.
The other side
While Plano officials support DART returning funds to cities that overpay, they believe it shouldn’t come at the expense of paratransit or other vital services, a city spokesperson said in an email.
“We believe there are other ways to tighten spending instead of dramatic cuts to service,” the email stated.
Plano Mayor John Muns previously said reducing Plano’s sales tax contribution to DART would not affect the agency’s ability to provide the services currently offered.
Shaheen also said DART should reallocate funding rather than reduce services.
“I don’t understand why they have to cut services,” Shaheen said. “They should align the revenue they receive with the services they provide.”
Additionally, Muns previously told Community Impact the city does not intend to leave DART, but added the agency should consider hybrid membership models for cities to participate in. He also called for greater transparency from the agency.
What’s next
The DART board will vote on the proposed service cuts in August. If approved, service changes will take effect in January and fare changes will be implemented beginning March 1, 2026.
