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Dear Community Partners:
As many of you know, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board members, leaders, and community advocates were in Austin last week to testify before the Texas House Committee on Transportation against HB 3187.
Hundreds of letters and comments were submitted against the bill, pre-hearing, and dozens of DFW residents made the trek to the state capitol to voice their opposition to the bill in a committee meeting that lasted late into the night and early the following morning.
With our own voices – and through our own perspectives – each of those who spoke against the bill told the story of our agency and the people we serve.
In 1983 member-city voters dedicated 1% of their sales tax to DART for the formation of our transit system. Again in 2000, voters overwhelmingly reaffirmed this number to accelerate buildout of the extensive system we have today. From inception, city-appointed Board members have driven all financial decisions, with a super-majority of the Board adopting financial standards annually. By practice, DART’s administrative costs have been at or below 10% of operating costs for the last 20 years, even lower than the policy-driven 12% maximum.
In the last three years, DART has invested over $110 million to improve safety, cleanliness, and reliability. We have also increased bus, light rail, and microtransit services in all 13 cities, while also reducing our bus fleet size by 20% through a bus network redesign. Additionally, customer satisfaction has improved by double digits from just two years ago – an accomplishment unheard of in the transit industry.
This legislation would turn back that progress and dismantle our contract with voters. Defunding DART by $235 million in year one and 25% perpetuity will drastically reduce revenue needed for transit investments by $7 billion over a 20-year period. In the first year alone, our operating revenues will drop by 34%, resulting in devastating cuts for the entire regional transit system at a time when we are on track to achieve the highest ridership in the history of DART in FY 2026.
The House bill had not been scheduled for a vote as of Friday morning. As we progress through the legislative session, we will keep you updated regarding any decisions affecting the future of our agency.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has spoken out in opposition of this bill. Your continued support of DART and the riders and communities we serve is a testament to the incredible, dedicated people of our region. Thank you for your partnership in making DART a driving force for positive change.
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