University Park voters will decide whether the city should remain a member of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system. The decision determines whether the city continues sending 50% of its sales tax revenue to DART or keeps those funds locally to invest in community priorities such as parks, roads, public safety and our library. This vote gives residents the opportunity to determine whether the current level of DART service is worth the cost to University Park taxpayers.

Since joining the regional transit system, University Park taxpayers have contributed more than $125 million in sales tax revenue to DART. In 2025 alone, the city sent more than $7 million to DART, even though the level of transit service in University Park has declined over time.

Today, University Park receives one DART bus line, no rail stops, and assistance with transportation for seniors and residents with disabilities. When the city originally joined the system, multiple bus routes were serving the community. Over the years, however, those routes have gradually been reduced until only one remains. Despite this limited service, the city continues sending millions of dollars in sales tax revenue to the regional transit system every year.

If University Park withdraws from DART, the sales tax revenue currently sent to the agency would soon stay in the city and could be redirected to local priorities such as street improvements, parks, public safety, community services and our library. A small portion of the sales tax would temporarily continue going to DART for several years to help pay down existing debt that was issued while the city was a member of the system. However, this would still cost far less than remaining in DART and helping pay for the approximately $2 billion in new debt DART plans to issue for projects across the region, many of which provide little or no direct benefit to University Park.

City leaders are planning a locally managed transportation program designed specifically for seniors and residents with disabilities. A local service could provide more convenient, reliable, and safer transportation options, including potential door-to-door service that helps residents avoid traveling to distant bus stops or transit stations. Because the program would be managed locally, the city could tailor it to meet the needs of the residents who rely on public transportation the most.

Supporters of withdrawing from DART say keeping the city’s sales tax revenue locally would allow University Park to invest more in services that directly benefit residents, including:

• Maintaining and improving city streets and infrastructure

• Enhancing public safety resources

• Investing in parks and public spaces

• Supporting transportation services for seniors and residents with disabilities

• Lowering property tax burdens

Keeping these funds local would allow University Park leaders to prioritize investments that best serve the community.

DART has proposed issuing approximately $2 billion in new debt to fund capital projects across the Dallas region. If University Park remains in the system, local taxpayers would help repay that debt through the city’s ongoing sales tax contributions — even if the projects funded by the debt are located outside the community.

The election will take place May 2. On the ballot, voting NO means University Park would withdraw from the DART system. This would allow the city to keep its sales tax revenue locally and determine how those funds are invested in community priorities.

The University Park Community League is an organization of University Park residents who are dedicated to making our great community even better, by promoting good city government, high-quality education, and beautiful, quiet, safe neighborhoods. We are people like you, moms and dads, grandparents, business leaders, young families, empty nesters and retirees. We strive to protect the special way of life that so many before us have worked so hard to achieve.