For the first time since 1989, a Dallas city has pulled out of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the second largest public transit agency in Texas. Highland Park residents made the historic decision this past weekend, when they voted to officially withdraw from the DART system.
Why did Highland Park leave DART?
The core of the issue comes down to the classic debate: return on investment. Under state law, cities in the DART network contribute exactly one cent of their local sales tax to fund the transit agency. Because Highland Park is highly affluent with massive retail sectors, they handed over roughly $6.3 million to DART in 2023 alone.
However, city leaders and residents argued that they were only receiving a fraction of that back in actual transit services (roughly $1.9 million, according to a recent consultant report). Ultimately, nearly 70% of voters decided to keep those local tax dollars in-house rather than subsidize the broader regional system.
When will DART services in Highland Park cease?
Changes to Highland Park bus transit will be immediate. Following the official canvass of the vote, all DART services in Highland Park will completely cease on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
DART buses (like Route 237) will still physically drive through Highland Park to get to Dallas or University Park, but they are no longer legally allowed to open their doors within the town’s borders.
What will happen to DART services in Highland Park?
The 15 bus stops in Highland Park will permanently close. Furthermore, GoLink zones and Paratransit services will cease operations. In substitution for DART, Highland Park approved a contract with VIA private microtransit services.
Did any other DFW-area cities leave DART?
This past weekend, Addison and University Park also held withdrawal elections. However, voters in those two cities ultimately chose to stay in the DART system.
Addison recently celebrated the opening of its shiny new Silver Line rail station, and University Park voters narrowly decided that the regional connection was still worth the cost.
