Local elected officials in North Texas are advocating for the creation of a regional authority to manage transit across the area’s most populated counties. During a recent meeting of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), transportation director Michael Morris presented a proposal aimed at unifying transit agencies, city officials, and other stakeholders to collaborate on a vision for public transportation.
Morris’ proposal, dubbed Policy 25-01, emerges from a contentious period in the state’s legislature regarding funding for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which highlighted the divisions among cities on how to address public transportation challenges in the region.
The proposed policy outlines a comprehensive plan for reviewing transit services ahead of the next legislative session, targeting how to effectively serve the growing North Texas population over the next 25 years. This initiative could potentially harness state funding to enhance transit systems.
The RTC’s proposal emphasizes the need to expand existing transit authority boundaries or establish new ones to alleviate future roadway congestion, improve safety, and promote alternative mobility solutions through contiguous transit coverage. The ultimate goal is to foster more sustainable development across the region.
Morris highlighted that the collaboration fostered through this process will also tackle the equity issues that have been raised during discussions about transit.
Support for the proposal has emerged from various leaders, including DART board chair Gary Slagel, who described it as a “good way forward.” On the other hand, Dallas City Council member Cara Mendelsohn expressed her support for a more radical approach, suggesting the dismantlement of the region’s three separate transit agencies—DART, Trinity Metro, and DCTA—in favor of a single authority. However, she stressed that any agreement would require changes to the current sales tax structure.
A critical concern surrounding Policy 25-01 revolves around the financial implications for potential new member cities. Mendelsohn argued against a sales tax rate of a full cent for each dollar for cities wishing to join, which is what current DART member cities are paying. She insisted that a uniform approach would be necessary for the region’s buy-in, stating, “If it’s a full penny for Dallas and it’s less for others, that’s not going to fly.”
Arlington Mayor Jim Ross also shared mixed feelings regarding the proposal. While he expressed enthusiasm for regional collaboration and indicated Arlington’s commitment to joining efforts, he added that the financial demands of such a transition would be difficult for his community to justify.
As the RTC prepares to vote on the proposal at its upcoming meeting, Morris reiterated the importance of collaboration to address the region’s transit challenges.
“I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened at the legislature on transit next session,” Morris cautioned. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the projected population growth, stating, “After 43 years of a certain approach to transit, maybe a new approach to transit can prepare us for 12 and a half million people.”
The ongoing discussion about the future of transit in North Texas continues as local leaders seek solutions to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population.
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