The Dallas Area Rapid Transit or DART is a Dallas, Texas based transit agency that operates most of the buses, light rail, commuter rail, and HOV lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs. Dallas Area Rapid Transit is the largest light rail operator in Texas, with approximately 45 miles of light rail tracks and plans to increase its coverage of the Dallas Fort worth area underway.

Recently though, Plano officials inquired about leaving the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system after some citizens complained about being taxed for a service they don’t use. This tax is approximately one cent and is supported by Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s 13 member cities. The city will still owe debt payments for years to come to Dallas Area Rapid Transit even if Plano votes to withdraw from the agency. Under current statutes and laws the soonest Plano could hold an election on leaving the transit agency is 2014 and even if the vote passes Plano could expect to pay outstanding debts to DART for the next 10 to 15 years.

It baffle’s me why a cities citizens would block public transit of any form. Public transit encourages tourists to Dallas and the surrounding area, who prefer to not rent a car on their stays in the region to visit and do commerce in regions they couldn’t normally reach from their hotel . This is a sentiment shared by many of the downtown Plano businesses . Since the installation of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail business in the area has thrived. New apartment complex and retail construction have sprung up, as well as older businesses near the downtown rail station beginning to report a sizable increase in customers and sales. Just proving more soundly that affordable, rapid public transit is extremely good for the economy as well as the ecosystem.

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