Overview of the Highland Park and University Park DART Referendum Consequences and context

Overview of the Highland Park and University Park DART Referendum

May 2nd DART Election Schedule Voters will decide the future of transit in Addison, Highland Park, and University Park

May 2nd DART Election Schedule

From Irving City Council: The election has been cancelled in Irving. The vote was 7-2, with Council Members Bloch and Canosa against. As of now, Addison and the Park Cities remain on the ballot.

From the Irving City Council: The General Mobility Program has been approved unanimously. The repealing of the ordinance to withdraw is expected shortly.

From the Addison City Council: The election will continue in Addison with a vote of 2-5, with Mayor Arfsten and Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore DeFrancisco voting to rescind the elections.

Because Addison will continue the election, they will be ineligible for the GMP unless they rescind by March 3rd.

Addison has finished their public comments after over one and a half hours. We have entered a brief recess and will resume in about 5 minutes.

From Farmers Branch City Council: The election has been cancelled in Farmers Branch. The vote was 4-1, with David Neal against. Comments are still occurring in Addison, and we are awaiting their votes. Thursday, Irving will vote on a similar measure.

It's been over an hour, and Farmers Branch is still in Executive Session. Addison just started public comments, and we are awaiting their decision.

After almost two-and-a-half hours of public comments and council discussion, Farmers Branch is now entering executive session at 6:23 PM. Many citizens and council members have called for transparency in this process. We hope to hear a result soon.

“There’s one member of this compromise that is still missing, and that’s us, the riders,” Flores told the council. “You are now going to be partially responsible for the services that your city receives… I want you to understand the responsibility that you’re taking on.”

"I want you to understand the responsibility you're taking on beyond just receiving funds. You are now going to be partially responsible for the citizens' lives, how we move and how we operate in your city in the Metroplex and beyond," Alex Flores, [...], said.

"There’s one member of this compromise that is still missing and that’s us, the riders," Alex Flores told council members. "The [deal] does give you guys an additional responsibility… the funds you receive can be used for transit related projects."

It seems like the council ultimately chose Plano Rides.

This is the Plano GO mockup

City Staff has proposed to the Plano City Council a new name for their alternative microtransit service: Plano Rides or Plano Go.

Below is the Plano Rides mockup

Plano City Council approves a $4 million initial 6-month contract with Via, 7-1, with Dr. Shun Thomas in opposition. Whether Plano chooses to extend beyond the 6-month trial period is unknown.

Once rescinded, the next opportunity to call for a withdrawal election is May 2032 under Chapter 452.

Live from Plano City Council

The council approves the new DART General Mobility Program Interlocal Agreement and rescinds the DART May 2026 elections. All items pass 8-0. Tomorrow, Farmers Branch at 4 PM and Addison at 7 PM will consider repealing their election ordinances.

Dallas Area Transit Alliance Demands Transparency From DART Board Regarding New Handouts to Cities The general membership of the Dallas Area Transit Alliance (DATA) held an emergency meeting last night, February 17th, to discuss the new General Mobility Program proposal

Dallas Area Transit Alliance Demands Transparency From DART Board Regarding New Handouts to Cities

The New DART Funding Proposal: A Deeper Dive We all left that board meeting scratching our heads.

The New DART Funding Proposal: A Deeper Dive

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE: DART Board Meeting to pass New Interlocal Agreement Hello everyone!

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE: DART Board Meeting to pass New Interlocal Agreement

DATA Statement on New Developments Related to Strategic Local Funding Solutions In light of the recent developments in the DART-member city negotiations, it is more important than ever for the transit riders to have input on the changes that have been proposed:

DATA Statement on New Developments Related to Strategic Local Funding Solutions

Motives for Defunding DART, Explained - Part 5 Who really controls DART?

Motives for Defunding DART, Explained - Part 5

A clarification point, the chairman referenced is the DART Board Chair, Randall Bryant

Based on this timeline for tabling the vote and Via's estimates for a 6-week startup time, this puts the alternative transit service start date at around April 6th.

Plano City Council has postponed voting on alternative transit services to the 23rd to continue negotiating with DART, saying they have seen a proposal from the DART Board Chair Randall Bryant, which they consider “meaningful.”

In a shocking move, Plano has decided to table the vote on alternative transit services for Via to the February 23rd meeting. Mentioned earlier in the city council meeting, the city received a meaningful proposal from the chairman.

February 10th, 2026 DART Board Preview On Tuesday, the DART Board will meet to discuss the current status of negotiations on the agency’s future.

February 10th, 2026 DART Board Preview

Motives for Defunding DART, Explained - Part 4 Does DART Work in DFW?

Motives for Defunding DART, Explained - Part 4