Plano city leaders have decided to put the future of their relationship with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) on the May ballot.
It’s the third North Texas city to do so this week. Other cities include Farmers Branch and Highland Park.
The three-hour-long meeting on Wednesday night was packed with people. More than 100 members of the public signed up to speak, most in favor of keeping DART.
“I’ve been trying to hold back my tears back for days,” said Jane Harmon, a Carrollton resident who said she takes DART to doctor appointments in Plano.
“I’m terrified at what will happen if you vote me out,” said Harmon.
If voters approve a withdrawal in May, services in the city would stop immediately. But city staff says residents would still have options like a micro transit system that could roll out well before any vote.
“We do have a defined set of plans that we are prepared to present to the city and to the community,” the staff member said during a presentation on Wednesday.
The staff member says the city has been unsuccessful working with DART to revamp its 42-year-old financial model, that it saw Plano taxpayers contribute $109 million to DART in 2023, while only $44 million was spent in the city.
Kathy Baker lives near the downtown Plano rail station.
“I see every day the liability. What was meant to provide transportation now brings crime, disorder, and fear into our neighborhood,” said Baker.
DART CEO Nadine Lee spoke at the meeting, saying DART has worked in good faith to address Plano’s concerns.
“Over the past four years, DART has invested $110 million to address safety, reliability and cleanliness. Crime on DART is down double digits,” said Lee. “The progress we’ve made comes from standing together and confronting our challenges as one region.”
Speaking to reporters after the unanimous decision, Plano Mayor John Muns emphasized the meeting was a vote about a vote, not a vote to end DART.
He also commented on the timing of the vote, which comes days after the launch of DART’s new Silver Line.
“Quite frankly, it has nothing to do with whether the Silver Line opened just a week or two ago, but it really has everything to do with in the agreement. Every six years, our member cities have the opportunity to put it to the voters to withdraw or to stay in and so this is the sixth year coming up in 2026,” said Muns.
Muns also said the city plans to meet with other transportation vendors soon and that the city continues to work with DART to find a solution.