PLANO, Texas – Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which transports approximately 220,000 passengers daily via its bus and rail services, is facing a potential financial setback that could lead to major operational changes.
A proposed bill from North Texas State Representative Matt Shaheen aims to reduce the amount DART collects in sales tax revenue from its 13 member cities by 25%. The legislation follows non-binding votes from six member cities seeking to lower their financial contributions to the transit agency.
Funding Dispute: The Core Issue
Rep. Shaheen, a Republican from Plano, argues that cities contributing to DART are not receiving services proportional to their investment. Citing Plano as an example, he explained that the city allocates 1% of its sales tax revenue—over $100 million annually—to DART, yet only receives an estimated 45% of that amount in services.
“The issue is a longstanding net deficit that has impacted cities like Plano for years,” Shaheen said.
DART officials, however, warn that such a funding reduction would have severe consequences.
Impact on Services and Jobs
DART President Nadine Lee emphasized that the proposed funding cuts could significantly disrupt transit operations.
“There would be substantial impacts across the board—affecting our workforce, job accessibility, and overall service levels,” Lee stated.
She estimated that up to 1,000 jobs could be eliminated, and passengers might experience route delays that could double their travel times.
Lee also highlighted that the DART board has considered requests from its member cities but opted to enhance transit services rather than redirect funds back to municipalities.
“We believe our role is to provide more services rather than issue direct payments to cities, and we are open to collaborating with our member cities to address their concerns,” she said.
Uncertain Consequences and Next Steps
Mike Morris of the North Central Texas Council of Governments cautioned that reducing DART’s funding could trigger unintended consequences.
“We don’t yet know what specific adjustments DART would make if these cuts are implemented. Some changes might have minimal impact, while others could be severe. The full extent of potential disruptions remains unclear,” Morris said.
As discussions continue, both sides acknowledge that they are not close to reaching a resolution. The Council of Governments is expected to advocate for a regional transportation authority to mediate the dispute and encourage negotiations at the local level rather than through legislative intervention.
Should the legislation pass, it would take effect in September, potentially reshaping the future of public transportation across North Texas.