DART Transportation Information
Consistent with state law, the Town must remain neutral. This information is provided for educational purposes only, with the goal of sharing objective information so residents may reach their own informed conclusions.
The Town of Highland Park has been a member of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) since 1983. As a member city, the Town dedicates one cent (1%) of its local sales tax to support regional transit services. State law authorizes municipalities to levy up to two cents (2%) in total local sales tax revenue.
Under Texas law, DART member cities may call a withdrawal election once every six years. The Highland Park Town Council has ordered a withdrawal election for May 2, 2026, to allow voters to determine whether the Town should remain a DART member.
Election Information
For more information about the May election, such as early voting and voting centers, visit the Dallas County Elections website.
Highland Park’s History with DART
DART was created in 1983 under Chapter 452 of the Texas Transportation Code. At that time, the Town of Highland Park and 14 other municipalities formed the regional transit authority through legislative action establishing a dedicated 1% local sales tax for transit. In 1989, two cities voted to terminate their DART membership.
DART’s 13 member cities are: Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Rowlett, University Park.
Since 1983, Highland Park has contributed more than $114 million in dedicated sales tax revenue to DART, consistent with state law governing member cities.
Current Transit Service in Highland Park
DART currently provides the following services within the Town:
- One fixed bus route along Preston Road
- GoLink on-demand service
- Paratransit service
Prior to 2014, four fixed-route bus services operated locally.
DART reports approximately 12,000 annual boardings on the Preston Road route, averaging approximately 33 riders per day. Community survey data indicates that approximately 4 to 5 percent of Highland Park residents reported using DART on occasion, while a small share of respondents reported daily or weekly use.
Financial Overview
DART’s total budget is approximately $1.7 billion. The Town’s annual sales tax contribution to DART increased from about $3.4 million in 2014 to approximately $8 million in 2025, with projections of about $9 million in 2026. This represents one half of one percent of DART’s total budget.
A 2023 independent financial analysis, commissioned by DART, estimated that Highland Park contributed approximately $6.3 million and received approximately $1.9 million in services during the period studied. The methodology and assumptions used in the analysis are described in the report.
A 2026 study commissioned by DART describes approximately 86% of the agency’s services and costs as regional in nature. The study identifies the locations of regional transit infrastructure and services within member jurisdictions. The Town of Highland Park is not listed in the report as a location of regional transit infrastructure.
Non-Rail City Transit-Related Improvement Program (“TRIP”, DART Policy IV.15)
DART established the Transit-Related Improvement Program (TRIP) for Fiscal Year 2017 through 2025 (October 1, 2017 - September 30, 2025) to provide transit-related mobility benefits (financial assistance) to member cities without rail service within their boundaries. The Town of Highland Park received TRIP funding for fiscal years 2017 through 2024.
Through TRIP, DART reimbursed eligible cities for funding of local transportation and mobility improvements that enhance transit access and community connectivity.
Funding is provided through a portion of each participating city’s sales tax contribution to DART.
Participating cities include Cockrell Hill, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, and University Park.
2026 DART Proposal: General Mobility Program
Under the proposed new interlocal agreement, approximately $4.4 million would be returned to the Town of Highland Park over a six-year period, according to DART meeting documents.
Funding would be distributed based on each city’s sales tax contributions and must be used for eligible local transportation-related projects.
Governance Structure
DART is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors appointed by its 13 member cities. Board seats are generally allocated based on population.
- The City of Dallas holds seven full seats and shares one additional seat.
- Smaller cities share representation through aggregated board seats.
- Highland Park currently shares one board representative with Addison, Richardson, and University Park.
Under a proposed governance framework currently under consideration, Highland Park would have representation through a dedicated board seat with weighted voting authority. The Town's vote would represent approximately 0.44 of a full vote, or about 2% of the Board’s total voting power.
Future Transportation
Regardless of the election outcome, the Town intends to evaluate mobility options designed to align with community needs.
Potential approaches may include:
- Micro transit services
- Last-mile connectors
- ADA-compliant shuttle service
- On-demand transportation models
Any future initiatives would be evaluated based on service effectiveness, cost, legal requirements, and community priorities.