Plano Proposes Rail Focus and Tax Returns to DART

Plano officials submitted a formal proposal to Dallas Area Rapid Transit on November 14, 2025 asking DART to consider a six year agreement focused on rail as the city prepares for a May 2, 2026 special election on whether to remain a DART member. Under the plan, Plano would retain DART rail service and express buses, and would ask DART to end standard bus service, demand response operations and other services in the city by January 1, 2029. The proposal says the city will seek a phased return of a share of Plano sales tax contributions through a general mobility program with quarterly payments.

The financial schedule in the submission would return 25 percent of the sales tax contribution in 2026, 35 percent in 2027, 45 percent in 2028 and 50 percent annually from 2029 through 2031. Plano officials have tied their request to a decision point for voters by proposing that if DART accepts these terms the city will rescind its order to call the special election. If DART declines to accept the terms the May 2 ballot will go forward as scheduled. DART said it is evaluating the feasibility of the request.

For Collin County residents the proposal raises immediate questions about access, equity and commuting patterns. Rail riders and people who use express buses to reach jobs in Dallas and other suburbs would continue to have service under the plan, but those who depend on local bus routes and demand response programs could see their transit options reduced or eliminated beginning in 2029. That change could affect seniors, people with disabilities and low income families who rely on smaller scale transit connections for medical appointments, school and work.

The phased return of sales tax revenue would alter the funding relationship between Plano and the regional transit agency, with potential consequences for DART budgets and services across the Metroplex. A smaller revenue stream from one of its larger member cities would require DART to reassess routes, capital plans and long term fiscal commitments, while other member cities will watch closely for precedent.

Next steps include DART completing its feasibility evaluation and responding to Plano officials. If DART agrees to the six year, rail focused proposal the city will cancel the upcoming special election, removing the immediate decision from the ballot. If DART rejects the terms the election will proceed and voters will decide whether Plano remains a DART member, a choice that will determine the shape of local transit and city finances for years to come.