![\"Riders](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/people_board_bus_jacob_vaughn3.webp.jpeg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRiders board a DART bus. Ridership has never bounced back to pre-COVID numbers.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRiders board a DART bus. Ridership has never bounced back to pre-COVID numbers.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Jacob Vaughn<\/p>\n
Four of the 13-member cities<\/a> of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) have stated their intention to end their contracts with the service if voters decide to do so. After a contentious legislative session and failed attempts led by Plano to edge their way out of DART contracts, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Irving, and Plano will turn the decision over to residents in the May 2026 election.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nadine Lee, DART president and CEO, said all transportation services provided by the transit system would immediately halt in cities where voters choose not to pay a portion of sales taxes to support DART. The transit system covers over 700 square miles across bus routes, rail lines and curbside on-demand transportation, and without DART, thousands of North Texans would lose easy intercity travel provided by the system. But some cities, recognizing the need for public transportation, have already begun planning their next move for when, if, DART services end within their limits.\u00a0 <\/p>\n Plano and Irving have already announced their intentions to establish \u201cmicrotransits,\u201d which are typically on-demand, ride-share transportation services, such as buses and shuttles, and can be assisted by contracts with industry leaders like Uber or Via. Microtransit systems notably do not interconnect cities. Neither city has detailed how its microtransit systems would work, but both have certified their intention to establish a replacement form of public transportation.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of the outcome, Plano remains committed to providing accessible transportation for all residents, including people with disabilities, seniors and individuals who rely on public transportation,\u201d reads a release from the city. \u201cFunding is already set aside to implement a fast, efficient Microtransit solution tailored to the community\u2019s needs.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen news happens, Dallas Observer is there \u2014 \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe\u2019re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the\u00a0Dallas Observer\u00a0matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n While Plano has already been saving up, Irving assured residents that money to fund a replacement would be found.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf the residents vote for Irving to leave the DART system, the city will ensure funding is set aside to implement an effective and efficient microtransit solution tailored to the community\u2019s transportation needs,\u201d reads the city\u2019s website. <\/a><\/p>\n However, microtransit systems do not compare to DART\u2019s full network, and microtransit riders in cities without DART services highlight their incomparability.\u00a0<\/p>\n Liam Crowley lives in Arlington, which is not a DART member city. He doesn\u2019t have a car; instead, he occasionally rides the city\u2019s microtransit system, provided by the company Via through a $5 million annual contract.<\/a> Crowley says microtransit is a great solution for the \u201clast mile,\u201d the end of the trip when your destination is just a bit too far from the last rail line stop. But beyond that, it\u2019s unideal, and certainly not a full replacement for DART.\u00a0<\/p>\n Scheduling Uncertain<\/p>\n
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