DALLAS — In a significant shift for public transit in North Texas, voters in Highland Park have opted to withdraw from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. This decision marks the first exit from the agency since 1989, when Flower Mound and Coppell made similar moves.
The referendum held on Saturday saw Highland Park residents choosing to leave DART, while voters in nearby Addison and University Park decided to remain part of the transit network. As a result, DART continues to serve 12 cities across the region.
DART provides a combination of rail and bus services throughout North Texas. However, rail services do not extend to every city contributing to the agency, including Highland Park. Transit officials and advocates express concern that this exit weakens the overall public transit framework in the region, particularly as state planners emphasize the need for improved public transit options in Texas.
The departure of Highland Park is projected to cost DART approximately $270 million in sales tax revenue over the next two decades, according to agency estimates. This financial loss could have broader implications for transit services in the area.
The recent vote reflects long-standing tensions between DART and its suburban members, particularly those in Highland Park, Addison, and University Park. A consultant’s report highlighted complaints from these suburbs about the disproportionate amount of sales tax they contribute to DART compared to the transit services they receive in return. In response, local officials sought to reclaim control over their transit funding, leading to the ballot measures.
Highland Park, with a population of nearly 9,000, contributes around 1% of DART’s total sales tax collections. For fiscal year 2023, the affluent suburb paid $6.3 million in sales tax, while receiving only $1.9 million worth of services from DART.
The decision to exit will also result in the closure of 15 bus stops in Highland Park and potentially hinder access for residents who rely on public transportation. Additionally, the suburb will lose essential paratransit services that cater to riders with special needs, further complicating mobility for vulnerable populations in the area.
