DALLAS — A significant shift occurred in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system on Saturday, as voters in Highland Park, a suburb of Dallas, chose to withdraw from the transit agency. This marks the first exit from DART since 1989, when Flower Mound and Coppell pulled out.
Election results indicated that nearly 70% of Highland Park voters supported the decision to leave DART. In contrast, voters in Addison and University Park decided to remain with the agency, with 70% in Addison voting to stay and a narrower 54% in University Park opting for continued membership. As a result, DART will maintain connections with 12 cities.
Following the election, DART announced that services in Highland Park would be terminated on May 14, the day after the city council is set to officially ratify the election outcomes. DART provides a combination of rail and bus services throughout North Texas, yet many cities, including Highland Park, do not have rail access.
Transit advocates and officials have expressed concerns that Highland Park’s departure weakens public transit in North Texas, particularly as state transportation planners emphasize the need for enhanced transit solutions. “The future of North Texas will be shaped by the cities that choose to move forward with DART,” stated Randall Bryant, chair of DART’s board of directors. “We are focused on expanding this system with partners who recognize that transit drives economic growth, connects people to opportunity, and strengthens communities.”
The exit will result in a loss of approximately $270 million in sales tax revenue for DART over the next two decades, according to the agency’s estimates. This vote reflects years of tension between DART and some suburban municipalities, which have criticized the perceived imbalance between their tax contributions and the services received.
Highland Park, with a population of nearly 9,000, contributes about 1% of DART’s sales tax revenues. In the fiscal year 2023, the city paid $6.3 million in sales tax to the agency, while receiving only $1.9 million in services in return.
The decision to leave DART will lead to the closure of 15 bus stops in Highland Park and the surrounding areas, making it more difficult for transit-dependent residents to navigate the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Furthermore, Highland Park will lose access to paratransit services provided by DART for individuals with special needs.
