Texas’ largest public transit system may come undone in 2026
The Texas Tribune••nation
Key Points:
- Four Dallas suburbs—Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, and Highland Park—plan May votes on whether to leave Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), citing dissatisfaction with service levels, safety, and perceived low ridership relative to their financial contributions.
- These suburbs argue they pay more in sales tax to DART than they receive in transit services and want to redirect funds toward city-run, taxpayer-funded ride-hailing or microtransit services as alternatives to traditional buses.
- Withdrawal could disrupt transit access for many residents, particularly those without cars, and negatively impact DART’s finances, as these suburbs contribute about one-third of the agency’s sales tax revenue; the move may also complicate regional mobility ahead of the 2026 FIFA World
