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Residents urge caution as DeSoto council explores microtransit and DART options
Summary
City staff presented options including microtransit (GoLink), enhancements to Star Transit, and possible engagement with DART; residents raised concerns about cost, public safety, and insufficient public notice. Council decided not to proceed with immediate authorization.
City Manager and staff presented microtransit options—described in the packet with references to DART's GoLink and similar programs—framing the discussion as preliminary and exploratory. The manager clarified the intent: "This is not about DART buses coming here," but rather examining "on‑demand, short wait time, flexible routing" microtransit and how it might supplement existing Star Transit services.
Public commenters repeatedly opposed bringing DART fixed routes into DeSoto and questioned the fiscal and safety impacts. Anna Williams said, "We don't want DART," and several speakers warned the city could assume extra costs and public‑safety burdens. Councilmembers urged staff to get better data from Star Transit first; after debate, the council did not authorize immediate engagement with DART providers and asked staff to prioritize improving and auditing the current Star Transit service.
