Irving derives greater benefit from DART than it provides in compensation, yet the mayor rejects observable outcomes
In a heated debate, five suburban mayors have raised concerns about the equitable distribution of funds and services from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), a regional transit agency. The mayors of Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Irving, and Plano argue that their cities are not receiving fair transit services relative to the sales tax contributions each makes to DART.
The mayors' concerns stem from a study by Ernst & Young (EY) showing that seven member cities, including Plano, pay more than they receive in service value. In response, DART proposed the General Mobility Program (GMP), which would redistribute 5% of its annual sales tax revenue back to affected cities for non-DART transit projects.
DART's Board Chair, Gary Slagel, has emphasized that this compromise is a way to avert deeper statewide funding cuts and avoid severely impacting vulnerable riders and the agency’s service capacity. However, the suburban mayors continue to push for legislative reforms, referencing failed bills aimed at changing DART’s funding structure and governance.
The proposed GMP has sparked major public backlash, especially among Dallas riders who rely on DART for transportation. Proposed cuts include reduced bus routes, increased paratransit costs, lowered service frequency, and fare hikes, which many community members oppose fiercely.
DART service is essential to residents like Rachel Doden, who relies on DART for transportation to and from work. Rachel has noticed less inner-city travel and added that bus routes within Irving require multiple transfers. Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer, who is dissatisfied with DART's current services, hopes to explore on-demand services like GoLink or Via as a solution for his city's transportation issues.
In a letter to Governor Greg Abbott, Mayor Stopfer, along with the mayors of Carrolton, Farmers Branch, Plano, and the town of Highland Park, have expressed their support for Senate Bill 2118 and House Bill 3188, which aim to change how DART is funded. The mayors call the legislation "a strong foundation for needed change."
In March, DART's board of directors approved a resolution demonstrating its commitment to working with local cities on how to move forward with the GMP. DART provided data to EY but had no input into how the allocation method was used. The agency sent its own message to the seven cities last month, giving a deadline of Aug. 31 to adopt a city council resolution requesting GMP funds, while committing to ceasing support of legislation that would reduce or divert DART funding.
The multi-faceted conflict reflects a tension between regional transit funding fairness, governance representation, preserving service equity, and the fiscal sustainability of a $3 billion debt-laden transit system. This ongoing debate promises to shape the future of public transportation in the Dallas area.
- The heated debate among suburban mayors revolves around the fair distribution of funds and services from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), a regional transit agency.
- The study by Ernst & Young (EY) revealed that seven member cities, including Plano, contribute more sales tax than they receive in service value.
- In response to the concerns, DART proposed the General Mobility Program (GMP) to redistribute 5% of its annual sales tax revenue back to affected cities for non-DART transit projects.
- The proposed GMP has faced major public backlash, particularly from Dallas riders who depend on DART for transportation.
- The mayors of Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Highland Park, Irving, and Plano are pushing for legislative reforms, such as Senate Bill 2118 and House Bill 3188, to change DART's funding structure and governance.
- DART's essential service, including inner-city travel and Irving bus routes, has caused concern among residents like Rachel Doden who rely on DART for transportation to and from work.
- The ongoing debate between regional transit funding fairness, governance representation, preserving service equity, and the fiscal sustainability of DART is shaping the future of public transportation in the Dallas area.
- The mayors' support for Senate Bill 2118 and House Bill 3188 represents a strong foundation for needed changes in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) funding and governance structure.
