DART outlines service changes, Silver Line timing and new 'TIRS' economic tool in Richardson briefing

Dallas Area Rapid Transit board chair Gary Slagle and DART Chief Executive Officer Nadine Lee briefed the Richardson City Council on regional funding, governance proposals and service planning, and described a new interlocal approach for using sales-tax growth as a local economic development tool.

In a presentation to the council, Gary Slagle said recent Texas legislative proposals that would have redirected 25% of DART sales tax to cities did not pass but remain a concern for the agency. "Taking away a quarter of that sales tax would have been devastating for the region, for our employees, and for DART," Slagle said, describing the legislative pressure and the board's work to respond.

Slagle and Lee also described the agency's work on a new TERS (sales-tax) interlocal agreement the board approved and that DART staff are negotiating with member cities. Slagle said DART intends the TERS tool to help cities accelerate development around stations and to return a share of future sales-tax receipts to participating municipalities. "We have that resolution ... DART is working with the cities on putting together an ILA to make this happen," Slagle said.

Why it matters: DART serves 13 cities across 600 square miles; proposed changes to how DART revenue is allocated would change the agency's operating budget and service levels. DART told Richardson officials it will hold 16 public meetings across the region — one in Richardson — to present possible service reductions or reconfigurations if the agency must allocate 5% of its sales tax differently to meet new legislative or regional arrangements.

DART CEO Nadine Lee outlined elements of the agency's Point B strategic plan, its fleet recapitalization and system modernization program and the Silver Line regional rail project. She reported that light-rail vehicles reach the end of typical useful life at about 25–30 years and said DART has ordered 476 buses (deliveries starting next year) and plans to issue a request for proposals for new light-rail vehicles with deliveries expected in the 2028 time frame.

Lee said the Silver Line construction is substantially complete: "We have over 90%–95% of the guideway construction activities already complete," she said, noting a full track connection across the 26-mile corridor and ongoing systems testing. Lee told council members DART expects to announce the Silver Line revenue-start date in the coming months and that the agency anticipates opening before the end of the year; agency materials shown to Richardson staff target fall 2026 for completion of a major arch bridge structure on the corridor.

Council questions and next steps: Council members asked about governance proposals that would change DART board representation, security and station maintenance, and station-area economic tools such as tax increment or sales-tax capture mechanisms. Several council members urged stronger communications with cities that opposed recent governance legislation and asked whether DART would provide a public explanation of possible service trade‑offs that would result if the agency reallocates revenue. Slagle said DART will continue city-level outreach and also participate in a regional Transit 2 study through the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG/RTC).

DART said it will present community meetings on potential service changes (Richardson's is scheduled in City Hall) and will return to member cities after public feedback to recommend a FY26 operating budget that reflects any adopted changes.

The council did not take action after the briefing; DART said it would follow up with materials and continued outreach.