Plano has extended an olive branch amid its funding disagreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit that could keep the city from leaving the agency.<\/p>\n
In a new proposal sent last week, the city asks DART to enter into a six-year agreement that would keep express bus, light rail and commuter rail services, including the new Silver Line, but would end all standard bus, demand-response, and other non-rail transit services within Plano by 2029.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn return, Plano agrees to cease any legislative efforts to alter DART\u2019s governance or financing and to stop pursuing withdrawal from DART during the agreement period,\u201d read the agreement. \u201cThe City will rescind any prior withdrawal election actions within 72 hours of finalizing the agreement and will remain a participating DART member.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new proposal comes as Plano and three other cities \u2014 Farmers Branch, Irving and Highland Park \u2013 have voted to hold withdrawal elections from the agency<\/a>, a move DART officials have said would impact the entire system.<\/p>\n City council members heard hours of public comment Wednesday, most of it in support of DART, before voting to call the election.<\/p>\n The proposed agreement also asks DART to return a phased portion of Plano\u2019s sales tax contribution back to the city through the agency\u2019s General Mobility Program (GMP). returning 25% in 2026, 35% in 2027, 45% in 2028, and 50% annually from 2029 through 2031.<\/p>\n \u201cPlano will use these funds for transportation and mobility improvements and will provide annual expenditure summaries to DART,\u201d read the agreement.<\/p>\n Jeamy Molina, chief communications officer for DART, told KERA in an email the agency is \u201ccarefully evaluating the feasibility of this request.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are committed to full transparency and will continue working in good faith with our city partners throughout the process to ensure they have clear, timely information as we move forward together,\u201d Molina said.<\/p>\n Amanda McNew, a spokesperson for the city of Plano, said if DART agrees to the proposal, regular buses would be replaced by micro-transit.<\/p>\n \u201cPlano wants every resident to have access to reliable transit, and that means full connectivity across our entire city,\u201d McNew said. \u201cThis goal will continue regardless of outcomes with DART.\u201d<\/p>\n Pablo Arauz Pe\u00f1a is KERA\u2019s growth and infrastructure reporter. Got a tip? Email Pablo at parauzpena@kera.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n