Plano North | November 2025

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Plano residents to vote on DART exit in 2026

BY JACQUELYN BURRER

What you need to know

saw $44.6 million in expenses within the city in scal year 2023. Plano Director of Government Relations Andrew Fortune said Plano ocials understand public transit is not a “dollar in, dollar out” system, but the disparities presented in the EY study were too signicant. The study notes its ndings represent a “snapshot in time,” specically as it was completed prior to the Silver Line launch. Fortune said another reason for calling the special election is that Plano ocials have “repeatedly” tried negotiating to receive more Plano-specic DART services, submitting four reform plans dating back to last December. During the 89th legislative session, Plano supported Texas House Bill 3187, which died in the House but would have redirected 25% of DART’s sales tax revenues back to member cities. More than 100 individuals registered to speak at the Nov. 5 meeting, with the majority speaking against Plano withdrawing from the DART system. A handful of speakers spoke in favor of the split, citing crime and safety concerns. Several speakers mentioned concerns about commuting to work from other cities, accessibility

Plano voters are set to decide in a May 2026 election if the city should withdraw from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system in favor of alternative transit solutions. Plano City Council voted to call a special election at a Nov. 5 special meeting, joining other DART member cities, including Highland Park, Irving and Farmers Branch. Approximately $251 million in annual sales tax contributions to DART could be impacted by the four cities considering a special election, according to the agency’s budget. DART CEO and President Nadine Lee said Oct. 29 that all services in Plano would stop the day after the election if voters approved the withdrawal and that the entire DART system would be impacted. Plano would still be responsible for contributing nancially to pay o the agency’s debt for seven to 10 years, Mayor John Muns said. Plano could renegotiate to become a customer city of DART, paying for select services. Plano ocials point to a 2023 study from Ernst and Young Infrastructure Advisors as one reason for calling the election. It found Plano contributed about $109.6 million in sales tax and

The 13 DART member cities contribute 1% of sales tax revenue to DART. About 29.5% of sales tax revenue in scal year 2024 came from the four cities holding withdrawal elections. FY 2024 DART sales tax revenue Highland Park $8.4M Farmers Branch $23.5M

Irving $103.1M

Plano $116M

Total $850.8M

Other member cities $609.8M

SOURCE: DARTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

for disabled riders and a lack of stability with microtransit alternatives.

Looking ahead

What they’re saying

Fortune said Plano ocials plan to implement an alternative transit plan, funded by the city’s initial investment of $4 million, prior to the election that could either replace or supplement existing DART options. Fortune said alternative transit options are still a “blank canvas” that could include Collin County transit partnerships, similar to the Denton County Transportation Authority. Muns conrmed that city ocials plan to meet with on-demand transportation companies Uber and Via to discuss alternative transit options. Fortune added that city ocials have until 45 days prior to the May 2 election to continue negotiations with DART. “This isn’t something we can put o until next year,” Fortune said. “[This] simply puts the ball in DART’s court.”

“We need something that actually addresses our needs

“We’ve voted to give this city a lot of things that they’ve requested.

to connect [Plano and Collin County]. … Why can’t we do Collin County Area

… I hope to continue to implement the things we committed to.” RANDALL BRYANT, DART BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

Rapid Transit?” MARIA TU, MAYOR PRO TEM

“This isn’t about being pro-transit or anti-transit. It’s about the best way to deliver transit in Plano because

“Provincial microtransit is no equivalent [to DART]. This game of chicken is playing with re for our reputation and economic future.” PLANO RESIDENT PAM HOLLAND

there will be transit.” ANTHONY RICCIARDELLI, DART BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPRESENTATIVE

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM