Texas’ Biggest Public Transit System Faces Potential Breakdown in 2026

A potential rift is emerging within Texas’ largest public transit system as suburban cities around Dallas consider withdrawing from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) agency. This could impact the transportation habits of tens of thousands of residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which is currently grappling with increasing transit demands due to population growth.

Suburban Cities’ Plans to Withdraw from DART

Four suburban municipalities—Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, and Highland Park—are slated to vote in May on whether to exit DART. Tensions have been rising over the years, with city leaders arguing that their residents pay a significant portion of sales taxes yet receive inadequate transit services in return.

Financial Disparities Highlighted

• Consultants indicate that most of the four cities contribute more in sales taxes than they receive in transit services.
• Plano contributed $109 million yet received only approximately $44 million worth of services in fiscal year 2023.
• In contrast, Dallas contributed about $408 million and received services valued at roughly $690 million.

Plano Mayor John Muns has expressed dissatisfaction with DART’s service quality, safety, and notably low ridership levels. The cities are exploring more tailored public transit solutions, including taxpayer-funded ride-hailing services that would better serve their communities.

Impacts of Withdrawal

If the vote leans toward withdrawal, DART would halt all services in those cities immediately. However, sales tax collections would continue to pay off pre-existing DART debts. The potential loss of transit services poses significant concerns for residents who rely on public transportation, particularly those who cannot afford personal vehicles.

Challenges for Vulnerable Populations

Many individuals, including low-income residents, young people, the elderly, and those with disabilities, heavily depend on public transit for access to jobs and essential services. Transportation researcher Yonah Freemark emphasizes that withdrawal from DART would limit accessibility across the region, compelling more people to rely on personal vehicles.

Current Ridership Trends

DART’s overall ridership has not improved to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a broader national trend in transit usage. As of late 2023, DART reported 46.4 million rides from January to October, a stark 20% decline compared to the same timeframe in 2019. This downturn raises alarms about DART’s financial stability if member cities withdraw.

Future of Public Transit in North Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation has acknowledged the essential need for improved public transit as the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s population is projected to grow from 8.3 million to about 12 million by 2050. Suburban cities are under pressure, grappling with budget constraints and declining satisfaction with DART services.

Community Sentiment

Polling data indicates that previous attempts to withdraw from DART have met significant opposition from voters in affected suburbs. In October, surveys indicated that over half of residents in Plano and Farmers Branch were opposed to exiting DART. Some city leaders are now negotiating terms with DART that may allow for continued membership, albeit with fewer services and costs.

The Road Ahead for Suburb Cities

As discussions progress, mayors from the suburbs are weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of providing their own transit solutions versus remaining part of DART. They seek alternatives to traditional bus routes, favoring micro-transit options that offer more flexible transportation solutions tailored to local needs.

The ongoing negotiations and future city council votes stand to significantly reshape public transit in one of the most populous urban areas in the United States, defining how tens of thousands of Texans will navigate their daily lives.