\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlans for Plano\u2019s alternative transit system will remain under review for several more weeks.<\/p>\n
At its Feb. 9 meeting, Plano City Council unanimously tabled a decision to approve a contract with microtransit provider Via, citing progress in negotiations<\/a> with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Agency.<\/p>\n What happened<\/p>\n Plano City Manager Mark Israelson said the city has received a proposal from DART Board Chairman Randall Bryant that is \u201cmeaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOver the last several weeks, talks have become much more focused around a potential offer that we have heard from the chair of the DART board,\u201d Israelson said. \u201cAs it stands right now, we have seen some meaningful feedback in a proposal from the chairman of the board of DART.\u201d<\/p>\n Israelson said discussions over the next two weeks will be \u201ccritically important\u201d and that there is still work to be done. He also cited progress<\/a> made in a working group of DART member city managers that began meeting last September.<\/p>\n “There are several actions that would need to happen over the next two weeks for that offer to really materialize, but those are very meaningful actions that will be taken,” Israelson said<\/p>\n Due to the proposal, Israelson said staff recommend tabling approval of the alternative transit service to Feb. 23 to see if those actions “actually come to fruition.”<\/p>\n \u201cThese meetings that are forthcoming are essential to whether or not something different may happen,\u201d Mayor John Muns said.<\/p>\n Why it matters<\/p>\n Plano residents are set to vote May 2 on whether the city should stay with DART unless the city and agency reach an agreement prior to March 18.<\/p>\n Plano\u2019s Director of Government Relations and Policy Andrew Fortune said previously that city officials plan to move forward with an alternative transit service regardless of the outcome of the May election.<\/p>\n City officials originally aimed to select an alternative transit service Jan. 12, which was then delayed to Jan. 26 and later Feb. 9.<\/p>\n How we got here<\/p>\n After calling the withdrawal election, Plano officials created the Collin County Connects Committee<\/a>, a citizen-led group tasked<\/a> with making a recommendation on the city\u2019s alternative local transit system.<\/p>\n However, the committee concluded<\/a> its work without a formal consensus Dec. 11 due to questions about cost, coverage and paratransit.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next?<\/p>\n Plano City Council is set to consider the alternative transit contract at its Feb. 23 meeting, dependent on DART negotiations.<\/p>\n City documents<\/a> note staff supported selecting Via as it offers the \u201cgreatest continuity of service\u201d should Plano voters choose to withdraw from DART in May.<\/p>\n Staff also evaluated the safety, scalability, rider experience and flexibility of Via, according to city documents.<\/p>\n DART will also be holding a series of community meetings in February and March to discuss potential service changes if any member cities vote to leave the agency.<\/p>\n Dates to know<\/p>\n Feb. 10: DART board discusses city requests and considers possible actionFeb. 23: Collin and Denton County ballot language finalization deadlineFeb. 23: Plano City Council considers alternative transit service contractFeb. 24: DART board considers final action to address city requestsFeb. 27: Dallas County ballot language finalization deadlineMarch 18: deadline to rescind special electionMarch 24: DART public hearing<\/a> on potential services changesMay 2: withdrawal elections<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Plans for Plano\u2019s alternative transit system will remain under review for several more weeks. 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