Voices From The Community<\/p>\n
A major point raised throughout the night was the recently opened Silver Line<\/a>. The $2 billion rail project, linking DFW International Airport to Plano and running directly through Addison, opened in October after years of planning. Many speakers argued that leaving DART now would undermine the value of that investment.<\/p>\n Among the speakers was Garland resident Madison McNair, who relies on DART for mobility.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, DART isn’t just public transportation. It’s freedom. It’s how I get to the, to work, to the doctor, to see my friends and family,\u201d McNair said. \u201cDART is how I live my life. That’s why I’m here tonight because the idea of Addison leaving DART doesn’t just concern me.\u201d<\/p>\n She said the idea was alarming, noting that for people with disabilities, the impact would reach well beyond a simple change in routes or regulations.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would change our lives. It would take away freedom, opportunity and connection \u2014 the very things that make Addison a community,\u201d said McNair. \u201cIt’s a step backward, one that threatens our independence, our access and our dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n The Financial Picture<\/p>\n Addison<\/a> has been a DART member city since the agency was formed in 1983, contributing a one-cent sales and use tax that has totaled more than $400.5 million. In 2025 alone, the town sent $17.6 million to the agency, more than its annual police or fire budgets.<\/p>\n An EY analysis of FY23 has fueled concerns among member cities. According to the report, Addison contributed $16.3 million that year but received only $9.5 million in service value. The assessment found that the town effectively gets back just $.58 for every dollar it provides.<\/p>\n Other large member cities such as Plano show the same imbalance<\/a>; Plano generated $109 million in tax revenue for DART last year but saw $44 million reinvested locally. Recent news of more than $800,000 in executive bonuses has only intensified scrutiny<\/a>.\u200b<\/p>\n \u200bRegional Decisions Loom Ahead<\/p>\n Addison is not the only community reevaluating its membership. Plano, Irving, Highland Park and Farmers Branch have all scheduled withdrawal referendums for May. Under state law, cities can only exit DART once every six years, making 2026 the next eligible window.<\/p>\n Some of those elections may not occur. Cities have until 45 days before their scheduled vote to cancel. Plano has already offered to pull its referendum if DART agrees to refund sales tax revenue and eliminate certain nonrail transit services, but no decision has been made.<\/p>\n For Addison, the next steps remain uncertain. After this week\u2019s stalemate, it is still unclear when the council will revisit the question of placing a withdrawal vote on the ballot.<\/p>\n![\"DART](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2016_05_Rail-DART-Downtown-Plano.jpg;w=960.jpeg\"\/)
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