City councils in Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch and Highland Park each passed a ballot initiative that will now ask their voters to decide whether to remain in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system on May 2, 2026.
Were a partner city to withdraw, it would no longer fund DART, likely leading to fewer available public transit routes or decreased frequencies across the entire DART system. However, it is currently unclear whether a withdrawn partner city would stop being serviced by DART entirely. Partner cities such as Plano and Irving are located at crucial connections within the DART system, which could complicate ridership even for those outside withdrawn neighborhoods. Benjamin Goodine, Comets for Better Transit president and accounting junior, said he is concerned that students will be some of the most negatively impacted by the change.
“Students that rely on DART will be hurt,” Goodine said. “It’s a public good. Highways don’t make any money but that same kind of thinking never gets applied to public transit networks.”
UTD students disproportionately utilize the DART system relative to other metroplex residents. The 883 UTD Shuttle route has the highest bus ridership in the DART service region, with an average 41 riders per hour on weekdays.
Calls to withdraw began out of financial concerns from relatively wealthier cities, with supporters of withdrawal citing funding inequities between different DART partner cities. Plano City Councilman for Place 5 Steve Lavine said that transit alternatives might provide citizens options that are lower or at the same price as DART’s services.
“Voters deserve a choice because DART is not the only option,” Lavine said. “I feel strongly that any transportation solution should include a simple way for students at UTD to get to where they need in Plano. We’d like to find solutions that make transit as simple as possible.”
I feel strongly that any transportation solution should include a simple way for students at UTD to get to where they need in Plano
— Steve Lavine, Plano City Councilman
Plano’s former DART director Paul Wageman has expressed interest in Plano defunding DART to focus on “micro-transit” like increased GoLink, which is described as “Uber-like” government-funded transport by City of Plano representatives. The effectiveness of these programs, however, has been questioned by students like Goodine.
“It’s called ‘public transit’ for a reason,” Goodine said. “No one calls it ‘minivan transit’ because that’s super ineffective. And what happens if Plano has a big concert or something? Only a separate transport network like light rail can alleviate stress from increased transport demand.”
It’s called ‘public transit’ for a reason… No one calls it ‘minivan transit’ because that’s super ineffective.
— Benjamin Goodine, Comets for Better Transit president
DART CEO Nadine Lee said the withdrawal would likely make students’ commutes worse. 78% of students at UTD already live off campus, and funding cuts after a successful withdrawal could severely impact campus travel time.
“When I think about congestion, citizens pay in time or money,” Lee said. “When you decide to not fund public transit, you’re signing up to sit in delays and congestion. Every partner city wants something different, but everyone agrees we all need more funding.”
When you decide to not fund public transit, you’re signing up to sit in delays and congestion
— Nadine Lee, DART CEO
As the metroplex’s population grows, public transit has become a larger focus of government discussions. Texas Sen. Molly Cook said public transportation is a base factor in almost every way of life for voters and expressed concern at Texans’ increased hostility to it.
“Transportation is very basic,” Cook said. “What’s really cool is that it’s a really concrete — pun intended — way to solve problems like elderly care, healthcare, etc. We have an aging population and if they don’t have a chance to move, they’re more likely to suffer from dementia. It’s more than just a train. It’s part of the fabric of communities.”
Comets for Better Transit plans to continue the fight for public transit options and mobilize voters in May 2026. After students attended the newly opened Silver Line’s debut, some, like computer science junior Colin Wong, chose to speak at city council meetings in support of DART. Its continued existence, to supporters, depends on its continued funding.
“It’s far from perfect,” Goodine said. “But if you’re going to complain about safety, taking away funds won’t help.”
