DART avoids funding cuts after Plano City Council votes to rescind the withdrawal election set for May

Plano City Council also voted to approve a contract with VIA Transportation Inc. that will not exceed $4 million, beginning this spring.

PLANO, Texas — DART avoided funding cuts as Plano City Council voted to rescind the withdrawal election set for May, officials say. 

Plano City Council approved a new interlocal agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit on Monday evening, securing the city’s commitment to the partnership. 

“Plano pushed for meaningful change, and we achieved it. This agreement guarantees a minimum funding return and creates a stronger framework moving forward. While it is not everything we initially proposed, it represents real progress for our community and the region,” said Plano Mayor John Muns.

The agreement states that DART, receiving funding help from the Regional Transportation Council, will return 10 percent of sales tax contributions in phases over the next six years. The money may only be used for transportation-related projects, officials say. 

With the funding agreement in place, the Plano City Council voted to rescind the DART withdrawal election from the May ballot, according to the city. 

“I am encouraged by tonight’s decision from the Plano City Council to rescind the proposed DART withdrawal election,” State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, D-Plano said. “This outcome reflects a serious, good-faith effort to put the people of Plano first and protect the long-term connectivity and economic strength of our region.”

However, the council also voted to approve a contract with VIA Transportation Inc. that will not exceed $4 million. Via will operate in a micro transit capacity, alongside existing DART services, beginning this spring. 

The initial rollout of Via services will focus on gathering ridership data, with a potential for future services circulating in the Legacy Business Park and Downtown Plano areas. 

The city believes the actions taken by the council on Monday reflect Plano’s commitment to accountability, partnership and long-term transportation planning. 

“This is what responsive, transparent governance should look like, leaders working together, hearing the community, and making decisions grounded in the long-term interests of the people they serve,” Rep. Plesa said.