NTC and NCTCOG Lead Regional Collaboration Resulting in DART Compromise

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact
Andrea Coker
North Texas Commission
214-997-3738
andrea@ntc-dfw.org

Caroline Vandergriff
North Central Texas Council of Governments
682-427-4354
cvandergriff@nctcog.org

The North Texas Commission (NTC) and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) played a key role in convening Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and its 13 member cities together to develop a new agreement aimed at modernizing governance and representation, increasing accountability, and strengthening long‑term regional mobility.

Beginning in September 2025, NTC and NCTCOG hosted a structured series of regional conversations with mayors, city managers, and DART leadership. These discussions focused on aligning shared priorities and addressing longstanding concerns related to governance, service delivery, and financial sustainability.

“The North Texas Commission was proud to partner with NCTCOG to lead the effort that brought key leaders to the table and helped produce the plan that protected the future of DART and the region’s largest transit system,” said Chris Wallace, President and CEO of the North Texas Commission. “Through sustained coordination, candid conversations, and a commitment to regional solutions, we helped turn a moment of uncertainty into a workable path forward for member cities and the millions of North Texans who depend on a strong transit network.”

Key Recommendations from the Regional Working Group

Over twelve facilitated meetings, participants developed a set of shared goals:

• Enhanced representation: Each member city will appoint its own board representative, ending the practice of shared seats.
• Balanced governance: The City of Dallas’ voting share will be reduced to 45%, ensuring no single city holds a majority.
• Flexible service options: Member cities will have greater input on service levels, allowing customization to better meet local needs.

DART incorporated these recommendations in its new six‑year General Mobility Plan, which the board approved on February 20th. The recently approved interlocal agreement is designed to stabilize the regional transit system, address member city concerns, and return a portion of sales tax revenue to participating cities.

In a press release, DART Board Chair Randall Bryant called the agreement “a victory for North Texans,” adding: “When the DART Board, DART staff, member cities, and regional partners work together to find common ground, we are able to focus on solutions.”

NCTCOG Executive Director Todd Little emphasized that the process itself was a milestone for the region.

“This effort demonstrates that even complex regional challenges can be addressed through good‑faith dialogue and shared leadership,” said Little. “North Texas succeeds when its cities work together.”

Regional Momentum Moving Forward

Following the approval of the DART funding and governance compromise, the cities of Plano, Farmers Branch, and Irving voted to cancel their May 2026 withdrawal elections. The Town of Addison, Town of Highland Park, and the City of University Park will continue to have elections in May.

The proposed governance changes will require approval by the Texas Legislature. NTC is committed to using its resources to ensure the regional agreement is passed in the 90th Legislative Session.

To support implementation of the agreement, the Regional Transportation Council – the region’s transportation policy body that operates through NCTCOG – has committed $75 million over five years to assist DART. In addition, the RTC’s planning work on a unified regional transit authority continues.