🚍 Let’s Talk Facts: DART Is Improving, Whether Plano Acknowledges It or Not

There’s been a lot of talk lately claiming DART isn’t responding to rider needs or making improvements. We counter with the following:

🔧 Major System Investments Already Underway

These aren’t proposals — these are funded, approved, and in motion:

• ✅ Nearly 500 brand-new buses ordered

• ✅ $7.1 million federal grant awarded specifically to support that fleet replacement

• ✅ Part of a long-term $2.5 billion modernization plan (“DART Transform”)

• ✅ $24.6 million in new safety + cleanliness contracts, including:

• Upgraded surveillance across trains, buses, and stations

• Expanded cleaning schedules for shelters and stops

• Improved monitoring and response systems

These improvements directly address long-standing concerns about safety, reliability, and rider experience.

🚌 Meanwhile in Plano…

Plano asked DART to delay introducing the upgraded buses — despite the fact that one of the top local complaints is “the buses feel old.”

At the same time, the city is exploring alternatives like Via — though it’s important to note: Via is not a confirmed replacement option.

It’s simply the direction council discussions are trending.

The timing, potentially rolling something out before the election, feels less like planning and more like marketing.

And if Plano believes new vehicles could increase rider confidence?

➡️ Then DART upgrading its fleet is the exact same strategy.

You shouldn’t criticize DART for improvements while trying to replicate the same concept elsewhere.

🗺️ Coverage Reality Check

A common talking point has been:

“DART doesn’t serve all of Plano.”

Here’s the full picture:

• DART did consider creating a citywide GoLink coverage zone, including Denton County areas.

• But with Plano now pushing to take back a portion of the 1% DART sales tax, expecting additional coverage at the same time isn’t realistic.

You can’t cut funding and expand service at the same time.

💰 And Yes — About Those Bonuses

People love to mention the bonuses — without context.

Here’s what’s missing from those posts:

• They weren’t random.

• They weren’t unlimited.

• They weren’t handed to one person.

These bonuses were tied to performance metrics, including:

• Ridership improvements

• Grant success

• Operational efficiency

• Modernization milestones

• Safety and compliance targets

• Customer-experience improvements

If the goal is a cleaner, safer, more reliable transit system — then compensating leadership tied to measurable outcomes is part of running a professional regional agency, not a scandal.

📣 The Bottom Line

DART is modernizing.

DART is investing.

DART is improving service and infrastructure, not shrinking from responsibility (Plano, I see you!)

• Cleaner stops

• Better technology

• Fleet upgrades

• Safety improvements

• Federal funding success

• System-wide modernization

Cutting funding now doesn’t create better transit, it undermines a system already in the middle of improvement.

Once a regional network weakens, rebuilding it is far harder and far more expensive.

👇 If we want better transit in North Texas, the path forward is simple:

📌 Improve it — don’t abandon it.

📌 Invest — don’t siphon funding away.

📌 Fix service — don’t dismantle the system serving thousands every day.

Whether it fits the narrative or not:

DART is moving in the right direction — and Plano benefits from that progress.

⸻

📍 Research + content funded by Keep DART in Plano.

For transparency: this analysis reflects publicly available reports, contracts, grant filings, and agency updates as of publication.

Verified Facts vs. Interpretation / Analysis

(This section is included for transparency. “Verified Facts” are directly supported by published sources. “Interpretation/Analysis” reflects conclusions drawn from those facts and the public policy context.)

Blog Statement	Category	Notes	Source
DART is replacing its aging fleet with nearly 500 new buses.	Verified Fact	Confirmed by DART procurement release.	https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dart-to-transform-fleet--enhance-passenger-safety-and-experience-with-new-gillig-cng-bus-purchase
New buses have already started arriving and are entering service.	Verified Fact	Confirmed by implementation announcement.	https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dart-celebrates-arrival-of-first-new-buses-that-will-revitalize-entire-fleet
A $7.094M federal grant is supporting the fleet modernization effort.	Verified Fact	Federal grant award announcement.	https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dart-receives--7.094-million-fta-grant-to-support-bus-replacement
DART is investing in system-wide modernization, including planning, new technology, and service expansion.	Verified Fact	Strategic plan document.	https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dallas-area-rapid-transit-releases-point-b-strategic-plan-annual-report-highlighting-major-investments-and-accomplishments
DART has expanded safety, surveillance, and cleaning measures through approved contracts.	Verified Fact	Official contract approval release.	https://www.dart.org/about/news-and-events/newsreleases/newsrelease-detail/dallas-area-rapid-transit-approves-security-and-cleaning-contracts
Media has documented the need and movement toward improving system safety.	Verified Fact	Third-party reporting confirms security investments and modernization are underway.	https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dart-millions-security-system-overhaul-violence-trains/3947056/
These system upgrades demonstrate meaningful improvement in response to rider concerns.	Interpretation / Analysis	Analysis based on documented investments and modernization timeline.	Synthesized from sources above
The improvements show that DART is evolving and responding to regional needs rather than stagnating.	Interpretation / Analysis	Reasoned conclusion based on modernization rollout, new fleet, and strategic plan.	Synthesized from sources above
Plano appears to be evaluating or moving toward withdrawal from full bus service.	Verified Fact	Confirmed via independent reporting on withdrawal proposal.	https://www.keranews.org/transportation/2025-11-19/plano-proposal-dart-transit-withdrawal-bus
The timing and scope of improvements may contradict claims that DART is not improving or investing in the system.	Interpretation / Analysis	Conclusion based on fact timeline and public messaging context.	Synthesized from full source packet

🟦 Where interpretation is included, it is based on publicly available evidence, context, and policy analysis — not speculation or unpublished claims.