DART Faces Pivotal Week as Member Cities Weigh Exits

Negotiations between DART and several suburbs over governance, funding, and service quality come to a head with key deadlines looming.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Leaders of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) agency and several of its member cities are engaged in high-stakes negotiations this week as key deadlines approach for cities to call elections to potentially withdraw from the regional transit system. Plano, Irving, Addison, Farmers Branch, and the Park Cities have all scheduled May 2 elections where voters will decide whether to leave DART, citing concerns over costs, service quality, and the distribution of power on DART's governing board.

Why it matters

DART's future hangs in the balance as these negotiations come to a head. The departure of major member cities could severely undermine DART's financial stability and service footprint, while also raising questions about regional transportation coordination. The outcome of this week's discussions could reshape DART's governance structure and funding model, with broader implications for transit in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

The details

This week, DART's board is scheduled to discuss proposals from member cities related to governance, funding, and legislative priorities. The Dallas City Council will also consider a resolution outlining principles for DART's board structure, including ensuring each member city has representation and that no single city holds a majority voting share. Meanwhile, the Regional Transportation Council will host a workshop to explore scenarios both with and without cities withdrawing from DART. Several suburbs are exploring microtransit alternatives to DART service, with Plano set to vote on a contract with the rideshare company Via.

  • The deadline for cities to call a May 2 election to withdraw from DART is this Friday, February 14.
  • Collin and Denton Counties finalize their ballots for the May elections on February 23, while Dallas County does so on February 27.
  • Cities have until March 18 to rescind any withdrawal elections that have been called.

The players

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

The regional public transportation system serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, funded by a one-cent sales tax from 13 member cities.

Plano

A Dallas suburb that has called a May 2 election for voters to decide whether to withdraw from DART.

Irving

A Dallas suburb that has called a May 2 election for voters to decide whether to withdraw from DART.

Addison

A Dallas suburb that has called a May 2 election for voters to decide whether to withdraw from DART.

Farmers Branch

A Dallas suburb that has called a May 2 election for voters to decide whether to withdraw from DART.

Park Cities

A group of affluent Dallas suburbs that have called a May 2 election for voters to decide whether to withdraw from DART.

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What’s next

The Dallas City Council is scheduled to consider a resolution on Wednesday, February 11 that would outline principles for DART's governance, including ensuring each member city has representation on the board and that no single city holds a majority voting power.

The takeaway

The future of DART hangs in the balance as the agency faces a pivotal week of negotiations with several of its member cities. The outcome could reshape DART's governance, funding, and service model, with broader implications for regional transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.