DATA Statement on New Developments Related to Strategic Local Funding Solutions
In light of the recent developments in the DART-member city negotiations, it is more important than ever for the transit riders to have input on the changes that have been proposed:
DALLAS, TX - February 12, 2026
In light of the recent developments in the DART-member city negotiations, it is more important than ever for the transit riders to have input on the changes that have been proposed:
The DART board’s actions in introducing an all-member city GMP (General Mobility Program), a promise to pursue legislation for the creation of a regional rail authority with additional funding to bring sales tax relief to member cities marks substantial progress in negotiations. DATA recognizes the need to incentivize regional cooperation, but there are grave concerns about potential service cuts to fund member city handouts. The riders deserve to understand who or what must be sacrificed to pay off the member cities that threatened our access in the first place. This step forward in negotiations should not be made on the backs of the riders and the civil servants who give purpose and life to regional transit.
That aside, we are grateful to the Regional Transportation Council for authorizing additional funding to help support the DART board proposal and see this as an encouraging step in securing the funding and legislation needed to maintain service.
We must also recognize the actions of the Dallas City Council for voting in favor of DART governance reform. It is not easy to give up power in the spirit of regionalism, but the Dallas city council must be commended for its forward-thinking vote and willingness to compromise.
Before we can support the proposed funding solution, the Dallas Area Transit Alliance asks DART to provide the following information
1. The text of agenda Item 12, Strategic Local Funding Solution approved at the February 10th DART Committee of the Whole meeting.
2. The estimated dollar amount of service cuts required each year under the Strategic Local Funding Solution
3. The conditions under which previously cut services will be restored under the Strategic Local Funding Solution
DATA would like to invite all press, city, and regional leadership to join DATA for a rider-led discussion on these updates at our next General Meeting on February 21, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the Dallas Public Library, Central Campus, on the 1st Floor, Community Showcase. Now more than ever, the rider’s voice must be heard.
About Dallas Area Transit Alliance
The Dallas Area Transit Alliance (DATA) is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and advancing public transit in the service area of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Founded in 2024, DATA advocates for the continued funding and improvement of services, ensuring that all residents have access to safe, reliable, and efficient public transportation.
Dallas Area Transit Alliance (DATA) is a rider-run advocacy group that is not affiliated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) or any other transit or government agency.
Press Contact:
Tyler Wright, Vice-President
For general inquiries:
The notion of a regional rail authority has promise. Travelers between Fort Worth, Denton and Plano deserve a one-seat ride and it's idiotic they don't have one. The track is laid, the trains are running. We only need to build connecting track to link TexRail, DCTA and Cotton Belt.
I'm ride-or-die pro-DART and pro-transit. I depend on DART to get to work every day. I think you're being overly skeptical here. From where I stand, DART's priorities should be to 1) survive the exit elections and 2) alleviate the funding pressure faced by member cities so they aren't incentivized to exit. This move by the board seems to be a feasible way to do that.
While actors from cities like Plano don't deal in good faith, it is not anti-transit propaganda to say that cities are financially burdened by giving half their potential sales tax base to DART. My own city, Garland, is not currently holding an exit election (in part thanks to my efforts). But I know for a fact that their budget is stretched gossamer-thin, and they are a net beneficiary of DART. When the state hard-caps the sales tax they can collect and Texans continually vote themselves less property tax, what can they do? Let me tell you, Garland city council was tempted by the prospect of exiting.
The only permanent solution to the suburb's discontent is a state-level funding solution. This was always going to be a hard ask for Texas, but necessary. If you have a better idea for putting money back in the coffers of DART member cities, what is it?