Riders Rally to Defend DART, New DART Board Chair, Traffic is Worse & More

News & Updates

November 7, 2025 Issue

Plano Voters Set to Consider Leaving DART Next Year After Council Oks Withdrawal Election

Plano joins Highland Park and Farmers Branch in a move that jeopardizes the regional transit agency.

dallasnews.com

Plano will let voters decide if it will withdraw from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, after the City Council Wednesday set an election next May to settle the question – joining Highland Park and Farmers Branch in throwing the matter to the ballot box.

Irving will decide Thursday if it will join the three cities in seeking an exodus from the state’s largest transit agency, a movement that has been fueled by dissatisfaction over what some leaders have deemed inadequate service from DART in suburban cities relative to sales tax contributions.

More than 90 people lined up to address the Plano council ahead of their vote Wednesday, offering a competing view over the future of Plano’s role in the region’s public transportation system.

University students, commuters, working professionals, neighbors, community leaders and people with disabilities lined up to speak to the council about how losing DART service would make it hard to travel. Some said they chose to live near DART stops and use the transit system frequently to get to work or school.

“If you guys pull out of DART, I’m not sure I’m going to get to work,” Tyler Wright told the council Wednesday. He lives in Addison and works in Plano. “Please stop this vote and come to the table. Talk to the ridership and with DART.”

DART Extends Half-Price Gopass Tap Cards for SNAP Riders

starlocalmedia.com

As the federal government shutdown continues, Dallas Area Rapid Transit announced that SNAP recipients who apply for the GoPass Tap Card will have their Tap Card remain valid through Wednesday, Dec. 31.

DART’s Discount GoPass Tap Card gives qualifying riders a convenient way to pay for bus and train fares at half the cost of a regular fare. Two weeks into the government shutdown, all SNAP customers can apply for a card that’s active through New Year’s Eve.

According to a DART press release, a new proof of benefits card will not be required for individuals using the Discount GoPass Tap Card.

DART Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Jeamy Molina said the move reflects the idea that public transport is about more than just getting from place to place.

“We understand the financial squeeze many of our riders are feeling, and as our core mission at DART is to facilitate mobility around North Texas, we have the unique opportunity to provide some relief,” Molina said. “Our role is also education and economic mobility, and we are proud to have a part in that journey.”

You’re Not Imagining it. Traffic is Getting Worse in North Texas. Here’s Proof

star-telegram.com

If sitting in traffic feels like it’s eating up more of your week than ever, you’re not imagining it.

A new report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute found that Dallas-Fort Worth drivers spent an average of 69 hours sitting in congestion in 2024, the highest total since 2019, before the pandemic changed how and when Texans traveled.

Researchers say North Texas traffic is worsening as more people move to the region and return to in-person work.

The report found that while many cities are still catching up to pre-pandemic traffic levels, Dallas-Fort Worth’s congestion has already surpassed where it was before COVID-19.

Plano Residents to Vote on DART Exit in 2026

communityimpact.com

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 or remain with the agency.

In a unanimous vote, Plano City Council members voted to call a special election at a Nov. 5 special meeting, joining other DART member cities, including Highland Park and Farmers Branch, in holding an election to propose a DART withdrawal. Irving City Council will vote at a special meeting Nov. 6.

Plano’s announcement about considering the special election came less than a week after the Silver Line, DART’s new 26-mile commuter rail, launched in seven cities across North Texas.

With the four cities considering a special election, approximately $242.4 million in annual sales tax contributions to DART could be impacted, which represents about 29% of the $834.4 million in total contributions available to DART.

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.

“Many riders travel, for example, from Dallas to Plano for work,” she said. “It's not just residents of Plano who would be affected.”

Additionally, as DART member cities continue to pay off the agency’s debt, Plano would still be responsible for contributing financially to DART for 7-10 years once leaving, Mayor John Muns said.

Randall Bryant Elected as DART's Youngest Board Chair

starlocalmedia.com

Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Board of Directors elected Randall Bryant, who represents the city of Dallas, as the organization’s newest board chair. At 38, Bryant becomes the youngest board chair in the agency’s 42-year history.

After being appointed to the DART Board by the Dallas City Council in 2024 to fill a vacancy term, Bryant was then reappointed to a full, two-year term in May 2025, marking the fifth time he has served on a board, commission or committee representing Dallas over the past 15 years.

Bryant’s term is now underway; Since first joining DART in 2024, he has also been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Public Transport Association and will now represent DART on the Regional Transportation Council.

NCTCOG Supports DART-Member Cities in Resolving Transit Issues

northdallasgazette.com

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is prepared to assist Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and its member cities in reaching agreements on transit concerns, including governance, service, and financial equity matters.

Ensuring local government issues are addressed without disrupting regional transit is essential as the North Central Texas region is projected to serve 12.4 million residents by 2050.

The Regional Transportation Council (RTC), in coordination with NCTCOG, is committed to developing a multimodal transit system that meets the needs of the entire region.

This summer, the RTC Transit Vision Subcommittee began discussions to explore ways to expand the current transit system and provide flexible, accessible options across North Central Texas.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org