University Park council members voted unanimously Tuesday to order a special election this spring to leave the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, becoming the fifth of 13 DART member cities seeking an exit from the public transit agency.
Leaders in Highland Park, Irving, Farmers Branch and Plano have already scheduled withdrawal elections for next May. Addison’s city council considered ordering a special election, but leaders could not decide on the move.
“In light of the dwindling services that DART has provided the city of University Park and the increasing debt, the lack of proportionality and the competitive disadvantage our membership in DART has caused,” council member Phillip Philbin said Tuesday on the dais, “I propose that we … give our voters the opportunity to withdraw from DART.”
The University Park council met with DART leaders the day before its meeting to discuss concerns with funding, service and debt. Member cities pay a one-cent sales tax to the agency and can order an election to leave the agency every six years.
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During an open council meeting, DART creator Walt Humann urges the University Park City Council to table an ordinance ordering a Special Election to dissolve the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System at University Park City Hall, January 6, 2026. The council unanimously went ahead and voted to take the proposal to voters.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
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The city, home to Southern Methodist University, has over 25,000 residents and contributed $6.9 million in sales tax to DART in the 2023 fiscal year, according to DART data.
DART services in University Park would cease immediately if voters choose to leave the agency on May 2, but cities that withdraw would continue paying sales tax to DART because they still have obligations to pay off debt associated with their expenses.
More than 30 people filled University Park’s council chambers, and nearly a dozen speakers gave impassioned remarks, many representing DART paratransit riders, including older adults and adults with disabilities.
The night’s first speaker, Walt Humann, is recognized as the creator of the DART system.
The University Park City Council voted 5 for and 0 abstain on a Special Election to dissolve the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System at University Park City Hall, January 6, 2026.
Tom Fox / Staff Photographer
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“I urge you to vote no on this withdrawal,” said Humann, adding he’s lived in the city for more than 50 years. “Work to improve DART, encourage ridership and work with the state legislatures to improve the situation.”
Resident Kevin Norfleet said he’s a frequent DART rider, including the GoLink on-demand service and park-and-ride services. He believes the transit system protects the area as the Metroplex’s center of gravity.
“To ensure the long-term future and prosperity of this community, we need a strong DART. We need a strong Dallas,” he told the council. “We need this community to have a highly functional … transit system for this community to grow.”
Randall Bryant was elected DART’s board chair last October, the day before Plano became the first city announce it would consider scheduling a withdrawal election. He said University Park’s decision will not change his efforts to reform the agency.
“I made an earnest charge on October 28 … to find solutions to governance and funding, and that’s with or without any pending elections,” Bryant told The Dallas Morning News Tuesday. “I’m committed to that.”