What it is

• The ILA is a framework for Plano and DART to collaborate, including redirecting a portion of DART sales tax revenue back to cities for mobility-related uses.

What residents should ask for

• Full transparency: publish the project list, budget amounts, timelines, and performance metrics.

• Measurable mobility outcomes, not vibes:

  • Better access to bus stops and rail stations

  • First/last-mile connections

  • ADA improvements that actually connect people to transit

  • Safety and usability improvements around transit (lighting, sidewalks, crossings)

  • Service that increases real access to jobs, schools, healthcare, and events

• Not neighborhood-only “nice-to-haves” that don’t connect to transit or improve mobility outcomes.

  • If a project doesn’t measurably improve how people reach transit or move around without a car, it shouldn’t qualify.

Plain ask (repeatable line)

• “If Plano receives ILA funds, use them for transit and mobility improvements with measurable outcomes, not general neighborhood improvements.”

What it is

The withdrawal election is the item that could determine whether Plano stays in DART. It’s also what created Keep DART in Plano, and we’re encouraged to see ongoing negotiations with DART instead of more uncertainty.

What residents should ask for

• If the City wants to utilize the ILA, the City must rescind the withdrawal election.

• Full transparency: publish a clear explanation of how rescinding the election affects the ILA, what the City is committing to, and the timeline for next steps.

• Stability and accountability: major infrastructure decisions should be grounded in predictable, public planning, not last-minute changes or unclear conditions.

• Public input matters: citizens may speak on this item (in person, Zoom, or by email). Ask Council to treat public comments as part of the decision-making, not a formality.

Plain ask (repeatable line)

“If Plano wants to move forward with the ILA, rescind the withdrawal election and keep negotiations transparent and public.”

‍ ‍Alternative Transit Services Contract

Background: In late summer of 2025, the Plano City Council, in contemplating an election to withdraw from DART, added $4 million to the FY ’25-’26 Budget to fund alternative transit services.  On November 5, the council ordered an election on the continuation of DART in Plano followed by seeking proposals for alternative transit services. On February 9, the Plano City Council tabled a proposed contract with Via Transportation, Inc. to February 23, based over optimism that negotiations with DART would provide concessions to the City in exchange for cancelling the May 2 DART election.

(Item 1: Approval of an alternative transit services contract with Via Transportation, Inc. The proposal includes an initial six‑month term at a cost of $3,952,247, with three automatic one‑year renewals estimated at $8,000,000 annually.) The contract and scope of services are not available to the public.

The negotiations resulted in DART’s approval of an ILA on February 20 that is scheduled for council’s consideration on the 23rd.  Council’s approval of the ILA and cancelling the election will provide the city over the following six-years with more than $60 million to support DART transit service and local mobility.  Thus, the context for considering alternative transit services has changed significantly.  

The following questions should be answered in considering the proposed contract:

• Is a contract for alternative transit services still needed?

• Should the contract be withdrawn or tabled until all cities act on pending elections and the effect of the ILA on local and regional services is fully known?

• As DART services reductions are likely, shouldn’t Plano fund restoring DART services before considering alternative services?

• Shouldn’t the public, especially transit riders, participate in the planning of transit services provided by DART and any alternative service contract?

• Was DART consulted during the development of the contract to ensure coordination and avoid public confusion?

• What assurances exist in the contract regarding service quality, including driver training, safety, insurance, responsiveness, and comfort?

• How does providing alternative services dilute ridership on both systems?

• Will Via rely on subcontractors such as Uber or Lyft, and if so, what safety and service standards will apply?

• Will via fares be comparable to DART’s?

• Will Via riders transferring to DART be required to pay a second fare?

• Will the service operate outside Plano? If so, under what restrictions?

• How will riders access the service—app, phone, web, or all three?

• How will the city communicate with the public about two overlapping services?

• What performance metrics will be tracked and reported to the public?

• Shouldn’t the cost of alternative transit services, if needed, be paid from DART funds allocated to the city rather than spending local tax dollars?