DART would have seen a 30% service cut, $230M annual losses had the bills survived.
Funding for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is safe — for now. As Mike Albanese explains in the Plano Star Courier, two Texas state bills aimed at removing funding for the transit agency failed, preventing the loss of 5,800 jobs and a 30 percent reduction in service.
One proposed bill, HB 3187, would have returned 25 percent of a sales tax to area cities. That tax now funds 75 percent of DART revenue, so the loss would have been a significant blow to the agency. According to DART Director of Public Relations Jasmyn Carter, the agency is committed to addressing the concerns of member cities who say the agency does not effectively serve their needs. “Moving forward, Carter said the agency will be going through a system modernization program — DART Transform — to address its aging infrastructure, bring in new buses and light rail and many other system improvements.”
FULL STORY: Legislation aimed to defund DART fails at the state level
Texas State Bills Could Kill Transit Funding in Dallas, Austin
State lawmakers could pull funding from the state’s largest transit agency and the ambitious Project Connect, a voter-approved transit project in Austin.
Dallas Transit Officials to Meet With City Leaders in Mediation
Some cities in the Dallas area want to reduce their contributions to the regional transit system.
Dallas, Suburbs Clash Over DART Funding
The city voted to ‘fully fund’ its rapid transit system, but northern suburbs are moving to reduce funding.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
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LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
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Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
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Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
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