Dallas, January 22, 2026
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has decided to halt issuing new debt until after the November 2026 elections. This decision follows requests from member cities that are considering withdrawing from the transit system, aiming to address their financial concerns. The pause will affect scheduled updates and is part of ongoing negotiations regarding DART’s governance and funding. DART, which serves a 13-city region in North Texas, emphasizes the importance of financial clarity for its member cities during this period of uncertainty.
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has agreed to pause issuing new debt until after the November 2026 elections, following requests from member cities considering withdrawal from the transit system. This decision aims to alleviate financial concerns and support ongoing negotiations regarding DART’s governance, services, and funding.
Details of the Debt Issuance Pause
On January 21, 2026, DART Board Chair Randall Bryant directed the agency’s President & CEO, Nadine Lee, to ensure that no long-term debt issuance requests are brought before the DART Board until after the November 2026 election date. This move responds to formal requests from three of the five cities with upcoming withdrawal elections, including Irving, which are seeking financial clarity before deciding on DART’s future. By law, DART will continue to collect sales tax from cities whose voters choose to leave DART until the city’s portion of its statutory obligation is recovered.
Implications for DART’s Operations
While this pause addresses the immediate concerns of member cities, it is expected to delay some of the scheduled and promised updates that DART staff have been working on. DART has engaged in mediation with member cities and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to find solutions to previous requests from the cities. The next step in this process is for DART to complete a rate study that explores and explains the all-in costs by mode of providing transit services.
Background on DART and Member Cities
DART provides modern public transit services across a 700-square-mile, 13-city region, including Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park. The agency operates light rail, regional rail, bus routes, and on-demand services, moving more than 171,000 passengers daily. Member cities have the option to withdraw from DART through voter referendums, and several cities have initiated this process, leading to the current negotiations and the decision to pause new debt issuance.
Key Features of DART’s Recent Decision
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Debt Issuance Pause | DART has agreed to pause issuing new debt until after the November 2026 elections to address financial concerns of member cities considering withdrawal. |
| Member Cities Involved | Three of the five cities with upcoming withdrawal elections have formally requested DART to pause new debt issuance. |
| Impact on Operations | The pause is expected to delay some of the scheduled and promised updates that DART staff have been working on. |
| Ongoing Negotiations | DART is engaged in mediation with member cities and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to find solutions to previous requests from the cities. |
| DART’s Service Area | DART provides modern public transit services across a 700-square-mile, 13-city region, including Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Richardson, Rowlett, Plano, and University Park. |
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