DART Election

Current Situation

Addison has been a member city of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) since its creation in 1983.  The Town contributes a one-cent sales and use tax to DART.

From 1984 to 2025, Addison’s contribution totals over $400.5 million. 

In Fiscal Year 2025, Addison contributed $17.6 million to DART.

Under Texas law, a city may only withdraw from DART through a majority vote by residents at a local election. A city council cannot make that decision on its own. State statute also limits how often this type of election may occur to once every six years. 2026 is a designated year for the next election opportunity.

Three cities (Addison, Highland Park, and University Park) are currently planning to have DART withdrawal elections in May.

Ongoing DART Negotiations

Over the years, member cities have raised concerns with DART including funding equity, governance, and safety.

Following the Council's call for a withdrawal election in January 2026, the Town sent a formal letter(PDF, 365KB) to DART outlining Addison's priorities for continued membership.

Multiple member cities — Plano, Highland Park, University Park, Farmers Branch, and Irving — also called withdrawal elections and sent letters to DART with similar priorities. The following actions were taken in response:

• The DART Board recently accepted a new governance structure that would provide additional representation to member cities, with no single city having more than 50%. The Dallas City Council voted to support the revised governance model; however, the change will require approval by the State Legislature before it can be implemented. 
• To encourage cities to remain with DART and provide regional funding support, the Regional Transportation Council voted in February to provide $75 million in matching funds to DART over five years to support its operations and capital projects.
• DART also revised its GMP agreement to offer a six-year funding program to eligible member cities and Addison would receive $8.23 million.  However, due to the deadline set, any city that proceeds with a May election would not be eligible to participate in the GMP, even if voters choose to remain in DART.  The Town disagrees with this position and has sent a formal letter(PDF, 236KB)  to DART.

Plano, Farmers Branch, and Irving have since canceled their DART Elections.

If Addison votes to remain in DART

Addison’s membership in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system continues unchanged. The Town will maintain access to all current DART services, including bus routes, Silver Line commuter rail service, and paratransit for seniors and residents with disabilities. The dedicated 1% local option sales tax will continue to fund DART operations. Under state law, the next opportunity for Addison residents to vote on DART membership would be in 6 years.

If Addison votes to withdraw from DART 

Transit services:

DART will discontinue all current services in Addison including bus routes, Silver Line commuter rail service, and DART-provided paratransit on May 13 after the election is officially canvassed. The Town is committed to maintaining mobility options for residents. The City Council has entered into an agreement with Via Transportation to provide the following services:

- ADA-compliant paratransit to all DART member cities, 7 days a week from 5am – 12am

- On-demand micro-transit services within Addison, 7 days a week from 5am – 12am

- Connections to nearby regional transit hubs:

• Knoll Trail Station
• Verde Valley Lane and Noel Road
• Trinity Mills Road and Addison Road
• Belt Line Road and Venture Drive
• Spring Valley Road and Montfort Drive
• Midway Road and Alpha Road
• Downtown Carrollton Station

- Riders may schedule trips through either the Via mobile app or by phone.

• Via Master Service Agreement(PDF, 253KB)
• Via Scope of Services(PDF, 497KB)

Sales tax:

The dedicated 1% local option sales tax will remain committed to DART during a repayment period currently estimated by DART to be approximately three years. Once the repayment obligation is fulfilled, the Town may place the reallocation of that 1% before voters in a separate election. Eligible uses under Texas law include, but are not limited to:

• A public safety district
• Property tax relief
• Economic and community development
• Street improvements

Additional Background

This presentation from the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting details DART Services in Addison, sales tax in Addison, and the withdrawal election Process.

DART Background in Addison

Addison Bus Service:

• Served by 12 bus routes
  • 11 40-60 Min Frequency
  • 1 15-20 Min Frequency
• 70 bus stops
• 1 Transit Center

Silver Line Commuter Rail

• 30 Min Peak
• 60 Min Non-Peak

Paratransit

Sales Tax in Addison 

In Addison, the total sales tax rate is 8.25 percent. Of that amount, 6.25 percent goes to the State of Texas, 1% comes directly to Addison, and 1% is a local option available to all municipalities. Addison residents chose to dedicate that 1% to DART in 1983. 

If Addison were to withdraw from DART, the 1% local option could be repurposed through voter approval in an election for another eligible use allowed under Texas law. 

Examples of eligible uses include a public safety district, property tax relief, and economic and community development.  (A detailed guide of local option sales tax can be found on the State Comptrollers website.)

Based on Texas Comptroller data for cities in DFW counties, 111 of 121 cities have adopted the full local sales tax option, resulting in an 8.25% total rate.  (Source https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/city.php) 

A year-by-year record of Addison's sales tax contributions to DART is available beginning in FY2003, with annual contributions growing over the decades. Key figures include: 

• FY2003: ~$9.0 million
• FY2010: ~$9.6 million
• FY2015: ~$12.2 million
• FY2020: ~$14.3 million
• FY2025: ~$17.6 million

From 1984 to 2025, Addison has contributed over $400.5 million to DART in total. In FY2025 alone, Addison contributed $17.6 million. 

At its March 24 meeting, the City Council approved an agreement with Via Transportation Inc. to provide on-demand micro-transit and paratransit services, branded as Addison Orbit, for an initial six-month term in an amount not to exceed $872,231, with an option to renew for an additional term.

Service will launch April 24, with both micro-transit and paratransit operating seven days a week from 5am to midnight. The program includes townwide on-demand service, ADA-compliant paratransit to all DART member cities, and connections to nearby DART stops just outside Addison’s city limits. Riders may schedule trips through either the Via mobile app or by phone.

Rally points (nearby DART stops) include:

• Knoll Trail Station
• Verde Valley Lane and Noel Road
• Trinity Mills Road and Addison Road
• Belt Line Road and Venture Drive
• Spring Valley Road and Montfort Drive
• Midway Road and Alpha Road
• Downtown Carrollton Station 

The agreement provides services including vehicles, drivers, technology, and data reporting, with performance standards such as average wait times and door-to-door service within Addison for residential users.

Funding for the service is supported through the Streets Self-Funded Projects Fund as part of the FY2026 budget amendment.

You can watch the Council's Via discussion here, read the staff presentation here(PDF, 429KB) , and read the Via presentation here(PDF, 3MB).

During its February 10 Work Session, the City Council discussed Addison’s current transit landscape and reviewed potential mobility options as part of ongoing considerations related to the May 2026 special election on DART membership.

The City Council provided feedback on the core criteria that will guide a Request for Proposal (RFP) for mobility services that could be implemented if residents vote to exit DART. These criteria include maintaining paratransit service, providing local circulation within Addison, establishing connections to nearby transit hubs, defining wait times and hours of operation, and ensuring services are accessible, including through mobile applications and phone-based options.

Following the discussion, Council directed staff to move forward with issuing the RFP.  An agreement for mobility services contingent on the outcome of the vote is anticipated to be considered at the March 24 City Council meeting.

Following the February 10 City Council meeting, Town staff issued a Request for Proposals for mobility services that could be implemented if voters approve withdrawing from DART.

The proposal deadline was March 6. Two companies, Via and Circuit, submitted proposals, and the Council interviewed representatives from both agencies during the March 10 City Council meeting. Staff will continue evaluating the proposals, with a potential agreement for mobility services anticipated to be considered at the March 24 City Council meeting.

Silver Line Project (2017–2025)

At its March 24 meeting, the City Council approved an agreement with Via Transportation Inc. to provide on-demand micro-transit and paratransit services, branded as Addison Orbit, for an initial six-month term in an amount not to exceed $872,231, with an option to renew for an additional term.

Service will launch April 24, with both micro-transit and paratransit operating seven days a week from 5am to midnight. The program includes townwide on-demand service, ADA-compliant paratransit to all DART member cities, and connections to nearby DART stops just outside Addison’s city limits. Riders may schedule trips through either the Via mobile app, DART GoPass, or by phone.

Rally points (nearby DART stops) include:

• Knoll Trail Station
• Verde Valley Lane and Noel Road
• Trinity Mills Road and Addison Road
• Belt Line Road and Venture Drive
• Spring Valley Road and Montfort Drive
• Midway Road and Alpha Road
• Downtown Carrollton Station 

The agreement provides services including vehicles, drivers, technology, and data reporting, with performance standards such as average wait times and door-to-door service within Addison for residential users.

Funding for the service is supported through the Streets Self-Funded Projects Fund as part of the FY2026 budget amendment.

You can watch the Council's Via discussion here, read the staff presentation here(PDF, 429KB), and read the Via presentation here(PDF, 3MB).

City Manager David Gaines sent a letter to DART regarding the Town of Addison’s objection to the proposed Interlocal Agreement between DART and the Town for General Mobility Program (GMP) Funds.

• March 20 Letter to DART(PDF, 236KB)

Following the February 10 City Council meeting, Town staff issued a Request for Proposals for mobility services that could be implemented if voters approve withdrawing from DART.

The proposal deadline was March 6. Two companies, Via and Circuit, submitted proposals, and the Council interviewed representatives from both agencies during the March 10 City Council meeting. Staff will continue evaluating the proposals, with a potential agreement for mobility services anticipated to be considered at the March 24 City Council meeting.

You can watch the Council's transit services discussion here. Below are links to presentations and proposals for each transit company:

Circuit:

• Presentation
• Proposal

Via:

• Presentation
• Proposal

Mayor Bruce Arfsten placed an item on the February 24 City Council agenda to consider cancelling the scheduled election related to Addison’s potential withdrawal from DART.  The Council voted to continue with the May 2 election.

• Watch the Council's discussion
• Read the presentation

During its February 10 Work Session, the City Council discussed Addison’s current transit landscape and reviewed potential mobility options as part of ongoing considerations related to the May 2026 special election on DART membership.

• Watch the Council's discussion
• Read the presentation

The City Council discussed the Town’s goals and expectations related to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) System at its February 3 Work Session. The Council provided direction in a formal letter, which was delivered to DART on Thursday, February 5.

• Watch the Council's discussion
• Read the letter delivered to DART on February 6(PDF, 365KB)

At its January 27 regular meeting, the Addison City Council voted to call an election that will allow residents to decide whether the Town should remain in or withdraw from DART.

• Watch the Council's discussion
• Read the presentation

The City Council discussed withdrawing from DART during a Work Session and directed staff to bring back an Ordinance at the January 27, 2026, meeting to call an election.

• Watch the Council’s discussion
• Read the presentation

During a Work Session, the City Council discussed various mobility options currently available in Addison, as well as emerging technologies on the horizon, including autonomous vehicles and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The discussion also included ongoing coordination with DART on the General Mobility Program and near-term transit options.

• Watch the Council's discussion
• Read the presentation

The City Council called a Special Meeting to discuss withdrawing from DART.  The Council voted against calling the election.

•  Watch the Council's discussion 

• Read the presentation

Following conversations with DART and other member cities, the Addison City Council decided to call an election in May to determine the best path forward for our community.

Per State law (Chapter 452-Subchapter Q of the Texas Transportation Code), a Member City has the right to withdraw from DART, but only once every six years.

2026 is an eligible “out” year for DART member cities.

The calculation is found in Chapter 452 of the Texas Transportation Code.  DART projected this calculation for each city in 2024 with Addison’s repayment estimated to be 3 years.

The city’s sales tax is committed to DART until the amount owed is satisfied.

Once the outstanding obligation is paid, the city can take the full one cent to a vote of the citizens for any use allowable by law (streets, economic development, property tax relief, public safety, etc.).

The Town has a statutory right to claim title to the Addison Transit Center within 30 days of the effective date of an election to leave DART. For several years following the election, DART can continue to use the property for necessary purposes.

The Town can enter into agreements with other governmental agencies, including DART, as well as with private sector companies for services.  DART has partnered with non-member to provide services. 

The developer, QIP, is committed to continuing the project regardless of the outcome of the election. QIP Founder Chad Cook addressed this question at the February 10 City Council meeting.  

If voters decide to leave DART, DART will discontinue all current services in Addison including bus routes, Silver Line commuter rail service, and DART-provided paratransit on May 13 after the election is officially canvassed. 

Council approved a six-month contract in an amount not to exceed $872,231. The contract includes $83,063 in one-time upfront costs that would still be owed even if the agreement ends early. It also includes a termination fee — prorated based on the amount of time remaining in the initial term and not to exceed $114,480 — which is designed to cover costs already incurred at the time of termination, not to penalize early cancellation. If the Town cancels the contract following a vote to remain in DART, it would be responsible for the upfront costs and the prorated termination fee, but would not face any additional penalty for ending the contract early. 

- 6 Toyota Sienna Minivans + 3 wheelchair-accessible minivans (7 total active, 2 spares)
- Micro-Transit/On-Demand Rideshare across the entire Town of Addison service area
- ADA/FTA-compliant Paratransit for individuals with disabilities (full eligibility verification process)
- Rally Points at:

• Knoll Trail Drive
• Verde Valley Lane and Noel Road
• Trinity Mills Road and Addison Road
• Belt Line Road and Venture Drive
• Spring Valley Road and Montfort Drive
• Midway Road and Alpha Road
• Downtown Carrollton Station

- Ride booking via both Via mobile app and telephone
- Turnkey solution: vehicles, drivers, technology, marketing & data reporting included
- Service area may be expanded upon Town request and mutual agreement

Via is in the process of developing a website that will have more details about the Addison service and allow for paratransit registration.

No, anyone can use Addison Transit (Orbit) to travel to or from Addison.