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Garland council adopts resolution calling for reforms at DART
Summary
The Garland City Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for structural reforms, equitable funding and improved fare enforcement at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Several residents urged clearer evidence and more outreach before the action.
The Garland City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Aug. 5 formally expressing the city's concerns with Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s governance, funding model and service approach and calling for changes including reconsideration of DART’s General Mobility Program and stronger fare enforcement.
The resolution — moved by Councilmember Carissa Dutton and seconded by Councilmember Ed Moore — states that Garland, a DART founding member, opposes the current General Mobility Program (GMP) and calls on the DART board and executive leadership to restore transparency, fiscal responsibility and fairness. It also urges legislative modernization to allow service flexibility and recommends barrier-based entry or proof-of-payment systems to reduce fare evasion.
Councilmember Dutton read the resolution into the record, saying it captures concerns discussed during work sessions. The text cites a reallocation of roughly $42.59 million annually under the GMP to only seven of 13 member cities and describes a 22% decline in ridership versus a 64% increase in DART sales-tax revenue since 2025, along with increased administrative costs noted in the resolution text.
Residents spoke during the public-comment period before the formal vote. Lindsay Fiegelman said she "agreed with the majority of the resolution" but asked why the resolution text had not been included in the agenda packet for prior review. John Garza, who described himself as opposed to the motion overall but supportive of some points, requested a meeting between Garland leaders and the Dallas Area Transit Alliance. Carrie Yarborough urged stronger action, saying DART had "failed in every single way" and alleging increased crime and service deterioration on DART lines.
Councilmembers did not revise the resolution during debate and the motion passed without recorded opposition. The resolution directs Garland to press for reassessment of the GMP’s design and distribution of resources, opposes fare hikes intended to fund the GMP, and calls for DART to engage member cities as equal partners.
The council also noted the request from several speakers that Garland leaders meet with rider and business stakeholders to pursue constructive, collaborative solutions.
A copy of the resolution will be transmitted to DART leadership; the council took no further binding action beyond adopting the formal position.
Garland officials said the resolution is effective immediately on passage but contains no enforcement powers over DART, which remains a separate regional agency. The council did not set specific follow-up deadlines in the motion.
