2 North Texas cities approve new deals with DART, others continue path toward possible transit breakup

After Plano approved a new deal with DART, Farmers Branch quickly followed suit. But two other cities still plan to put the issue to voters.

DALLAS — Recently-passed changes to DART’s funding and governance structure have made an impact on some local leaders, but others still plan to put their membership in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit alliance to voters. 

Six cities — Plano, Irving, Addison, Farmers Branch, and the Park Cities — previously scheduled May 2026 elections that would let voters decide whether or not those cities should remain in the regional transit alliance. The elections prompted DART and the city of Dallas to agree to major changes. Now, every member city will have a seat on the DART board, and the agency will return some of the sales tax income it receives back to the member cities, WFAA previously reported. The millions of dollars returned to the cities can be used for transit projects. 

Since DART approved plans to reform its governance and funding, Plano and Farmers Branch signed a new agreement with DART to participate in the General Mobility Program (GMP) Interlocal Agreement and formally rescinded the previously ordered election. 

“Farmers Branch has consistently supported mass transit as a regional investment that strengthens workforce mobility, supports economic development, enhances access to employment centers, and contributes to overall quality of life,” the city of Farmers Branch said in a press release. “However, the City has also been equally clear that support for transit must be matched by accountability, fiscal discipline, and equitable investment in our community.”

Frequent users of DART in Plano celebrated the city’s decision to rescind the election, WFAA previously reported. 

“There is some concern, but also some reason to be excited,” said Tyler Wright, a frequent rider and vice president of the Dallas Area Transit Alliance. “The silver lining is that Plano does seem to be moving in the direction of cooperation.”

However, while some cities found the changes DART proposed sufficient to cancel their election, others plan to go ahead with it. 

Addison and Highland Park will go ahead with the May 2 elections. The Addison City Council affirmed on Tuesday that it plans to put the issue to voters. Irving, Highland Park and University Park still plan to hold elections in May.