Dallas Sacrifices DART Majority Control in Bid to Keep Suburbs in Transit System

The Dallas City Council voted to reduce the city’s power in the governance framework for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in a bid to prevent surrounding suburbs from exiting the transit system, reports Everton Bailey Jr. in The Dallas Morning News.

The vote marks the first time the city of Dallas has had less than majority control on the DART board since the agency was created over 40 years ago. “The plan also would guarantee each of DART’s 13 member cities at least one board seat, replacing a structure that now gives only Dallas, Irving, Garland and Plano dedicated single-city representation, and would likely expand the current 15-member board.”

The proposal requires approval from the Texas State Legislature. If approved, the plan could prevent six member cities from finalizing special ballot measures that would ask voters if they want to exist the DART system. “Meanwhile, the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Regional Transportation Council is expected to weigh proposed changes to DART funding Thursday, adding another layer to a regional debate that now hinges on whether compromise can outpace secession.”