The next two weeks will prove critical for DART’s future.
PLANO, Texas — The city of Plano on Monday night delayed a vote on a contract with Via, a rideshare program that would have been an alternative to DART, after Plano’s City Manager said talks with the 42-year-old transit agency have become more focused.
City Manager Mark Israelson told Plano city council members that discussions with the chair of DART’s board indicate several “meaningful actions” could occur over the next two weeks that could result in an offer to member cities like Plano.
At Israelson’s suggestion, the council unanimously agreed to table a vote on the Via contract until their Feb. 23 meeting.
Plano’s Monday discussion led off a critical two-week period for DART.
Tuesday, the DART board is expected to reveal a transformed funding structure that could give smaller member cities more say in the services they receive.
That’s what led to this pivotal moment for public transportation in North Texas — Plano, Irving, Addison, Farmers Branch and the Park Cities all say they’ve been paying too much into a system that gives them too little in return.
They all scheduled public elections for May, allowing voters to have the final say in whether to withdraw from DART.
Those elections could still be canceled, but only within the next couple of weeks.
After that, ballots would be set.
Dallas city council members are also expected to vote soon to potentially give up their traditional majority stake in DART’s board – a move that could also entice cities to stay.
Riders who want to save DART service in Plano hope that’s what happens.
Ehmber Chaffin said founded “Keep DART in Plano” within hours of her city calling for the May election.
Her organization held a rally outside Monday night’s meeting at Plano City Hall.
“There are many times where I have not had a car and I relied on DART,” Chaffin said. “We moved to Plano because it was a DART accessible city.”
Kathryn Walsh was among those holding a sign and hoping to sway public opinion. She rides a train and a bus every day from downtown Plano to her job at the Legacy West development. She has a car, but she prefers not driving in rush hour traffic.
“I see a lot of people who would have a much harder day to day without it,” she said of DART.
Before tabling the contract vote, a few DART riders told city council what DART means to them.
Mary Witherspoon said she lost her vision 12 years ago. While she does not live in Plano, all her doctors are there.
She told council members the transit system is the only way she can get medical care.
“When cities withdraw from a regional transit system, barriers are created especially for those of us who cannot drive,” she said.