Highland Park Votes to Exit Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Impacting Public Transit System
Highland Park, a suburb of Dallas, has voted to leave the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system, marking the first such exit since 1989. The decision was made after nearly 70% of voters in Highland Park supported the move, citing dissatisfaction with the return on their sales tax contributions to DART. The suburb, which contributes about 1% of DART's sales tax revenue, paid $6.3 million in sales tax in 2023 but received only $1.9 million in services. The exit will result in the closure of 15 bus stops and the loss of paratransit services for residents with special needs. This decision follows years of tension between DART and some of its suburban members, who feel they pay too much for the services they receive. 
