Collin County Connects Committee members dissent against alternative options proposed
12.12.2025 05:08
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Collin County Connects Committee members dissent against alternative options proposed
It also did lots of damage to my to-be-read list… I already had a three year backlog. Closer to four now!
Finished @carterlavin.bsky.social’s If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight this evening. That was a great read, and one I’m going to revisit many times! This is a must read for leaders in transit advocacy and highly recommend for everyone else. Can’t wait to cover it with @ridewithdata.org!
Riding the Red Line through Richardson this morning. There are sooo many apartments and businesses that are right next to the tracks but far from the station. Such a missed opportunity. I really wish we could get some infill stations in Richardson.
Thanks! My org (@ridewithdata.org) is planning to read it in our book club early next year! It’s next after Amanda Ripley’s High Conflict, both of which are very relevant given the attacks on transit we’re seeing in the Dallas area.
I haven’t been posting my books here for a while, but it seems like a good time to start doing that again. Today, I’m starting “If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transit Advocacy” by Carter Lavin!
The actions Plano is taking around the DART pullout are absolutely shameful. They’re not seeking discourse. They’ve published a website filled with half truths to manipulate public opinion. Now they’re appointing a “Collin County Connects” committee that consists entirely of Plano residents.
A map of the DART rail system showing the consequences if Plano, Irving, and Farmers Branch pull out of DART in May 2026. All light rail stations in Irving, Farmers Branch, and Plano are marked as closed, as DART Light Rail service would end in these cities, and all TRE and Silver Line stations in Irving and Plano are marked as potentially closed, as Irving and Plano would have to independently pay DART to maintain these services.
The cities of Highland Park, Farmers Branch, Plano, and Irving have decided to ask their voters whether to leave or remain in DART in May 2026. Here's what the region's rail system might look like if all cities vote to leave:
All seem to think they’d be better off with their own transit agencies that only serve their cities. Plano called for a “Plano Area Rapid Transit”. This severely undermines the value of transit: Going places!
So the lines are drawn. Plano, Irving, Farmers Branch, and Highland Park are holding DART pullout elections on May 2, 2026. All ignored vast amounts of commentary from their residents and workers and called the elections anyway. All expressed being pro public transit while tearing it down.
The Plano city council is holding a special session on Wednesday November 5 at 5:00 PM to consider holding a DART pullout election. Two hours earlier than most meetings and no Zoom. If DART is important to you and want to see it continue, register to speak here: forms.plano.gov/Forms/Sign_U...
A Dallas suburb celebrates the opening of an expensive new rail line by threatening to withdraw from the transit agency that built it for them.
DART board meeting only starting a wee bit late today, by 53 minutes. Thread time!
Super mad at us
Importantly, the barriers on both the north and south sides of the closures are inset enough that there’s still room for emergency vehicles to park. I’ve seen ambulances using this space a few times. This actually improves flow, as these vehicles are no longer blocking traffic.
View from the Discovery District facing north showing the southbound lane of Akard closed. A temporary air conditioner unit is blocking the lane. Barriers and signs protect it.
Southbound Akard has been closed from Main to Commerce for weeks. As a pedestrian, the reduced traffic flow has made the walk so much nicer! Can we make this permanent please?
We did it! At midnight, all the remaining bills threatening DART died in the Senate! Huge victory for everyone involved! open.substack.com/pub/dallasur...
Pic of Pontevedra from the air
“It's not my duty as Mayor to make sure you have a parking spot. For me it's the same as if you bought a cow, or a refrigerator, and then asked me where you're going to put them.” — Mayor of Pontevedra, Spain (re-elected 6 times)
I’m in Plano, where our parking spaces are safe from such a terrible fate as being converted into things people actually need and want!
Do parking spaces go to Heaven? I thought they went to the other place.
Parking reform just passed Dallas City Council! That sound you hear is… absolutely nothing happening, as the city isn’t going to just change overnight. But man, I can’t wait to see how downtown and ToDs pop off over the next few years!
HB 3187 (the Texas House bill to cut DART) died last night! Time ran out to schedule it for a vote on the House floor. Huge victory for @ridewithdata.org! The game’s not over yet, because SB 1557 (that does the same thing) is still floating out there, but the HB dying is major progress.
I am hearing some Texas reps are getting hundreds of emails per day in opposition to Plano's Kill DART bill. Some say emails don't work but there is apparently a tipping point when their staff can't deal with anything but one issue. Engagement works. Save public transit!
@wfaach8.bsky.social The riders are ready for their 5 minute interview regarding the DART legislation HB 3187. Representative Shaheen vastly understated the impacts of his legislation. Contact us at info@ridewithdata.org and we can set something up.
@wfaach8.bsky.social Rep Shaheen made several factual misrepresentations in this interview. Please allow equal air time for the riders or DART to correct the record.
They’re going for a whole new style of decoration at Parker Road Station!
This book was written 60 years ago! We’ve known for 60 years! And yet we still have to have the “Won’t somebody think of the traffic??” fight every time anyone wants to build anything.
Thanks to the DART board and staff for their work with the city, to the @ridewithdata.org members who talked with the Rowlett council, and to the Rowlett council for listening and changing their minds. We’ve got more work ahead, but this one’s worth celebrating!
