Highland Park left DART in May 2026 and replaced it with its own on-demand shuttle service. The six-month free pilot that began May 13 reaches its end this fall, which puts the next decision on fares, hours and whether to extend the program in front of the Town Council. For residents and buyers, it is the first real test of a town running its own transit.
What happened when Highland Park voted on DART?
On May 2, 2026, Highland Park voters chose to withdraw from Dallas Area Rapid Transit, about 70 percent (1,076 votes) to 30 percent (468), according to People Newspapers. University Park voters chose to stay, about 54 percent to 46 percent. DART said in its May 3 release that service in Highland Park would end May 14, the day after the town canvassed the results. It was the first time a member city had left since Flower Mound and Coppell in 1989, the Texas Tribune reported.
The money was central to the debate. The town had been sending 1 percent of local sales tax to DART, half of what it can keep locally. Mayor Will Beecherl said that payment was projected to reach $9 million in 2026, People Newspapers reported. The Texas Tribune cited fiscal 2023 figures of $6.3 million paid and $1.9 million in services received.
What replaced DART in Highland Park?
The town contracted with Via Transportation and approved a $1.55 million amendment to its fiscal 2026 budget to fund the program for an initial six-month term with options to extend, People Newspapers reported in April. Two services launched in mid-May:
- Highland Park On-Demand: microtransit inside the town and a one-mile radius around it, including connections to Mockingbird Station and regional transit. It runs 5 a.m. to midnight daily and is free during the pilot. Riders book through the app or by calling 214-785-4345.
- Highland Park Access: pre-booked, door-to-door paratransit for riders who cannot use fixed-route transit unassisted. The base fare is $3.50, and rides must be booked by 5 p.m. the day before.
The council had planned a $3 one-way adult fare but made microtransit free during the pilot. Town Administrator Tobin Maples said commuters should not have to pay twice since they had already paid their DART fee.
How many people are using it?
By June 2, the service had completed 595 trips and 479 app accounts had been created, with six active paratransit riders, People Newspapers reported on June 23. Four vehicles serve the program, two of them paratransit capable. The town added English and Spanish signage along Preston Road near former DART stops after early criticism that Spanish was missing.
How many people used DART in Highland Park before?
The town's 2025 announcement of the election cited survey data suggesting 4 to 5 percent of residents used DART occasionally and fewer than 1 percent regularly. Town Administrator Tobin Maples told the council in February that DART served about 40 riders a day in town.
What changed for people who work in Highland Park?
DART Route 237 still runs along Preston Road through town but no longer stops there. Some shopping center employees told People Newspapers in June they had not heard of the new service, while managers at two shopping center restaurants said most staff park in an employee lot and use a shuttle. Separately, the council has discussed a workforce shuttle to carry construction workers from off-site parking, to ease cut-through traffic and street parking from home building sites.
What does this mean for Highland Park homeowners and buyers?
Our agents at The Agency Dallas who work Highland Park hear a mix of reactions. A few things seem clear so far:
- Sales tax dollars stay local. Keeping the 1 percent that went to DART gives the town more room in its budget, which matters in a community with little new development to grow its tax base.
- Household staff and caregivers are the key riders. For many families, the practical question is how nannies, housekeepers and caregivers get to work. Door-to-door service with a Mockingbird Station connection is the answer the town has chosen.
- Older residents should know their options. Buyers moving a parent nearby, or residents planning to age in place, should understand how Highland Park Access works and its booking rules.
- The pilot is not the final model. Fares, hours and the vehicle count may change after the six-month review.
For broader context on the town, see our Highland Park page.
What should residents watch this fall?
- Town Council discussion of whether to extend the Via agreement and on what terms.
- Whether the free fare ends and the planned $3 fare begins.
- Any decision on a separate construction workforce shuttle.
- The town's continuing share of DART's debt, which People Newspapers noted it still owes.
The Agency Dallas will keep following how this plays out. Highland Park is now a test case watched by other DART member cities, and the next few council meetings will show whether a small town can run transit on its own terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does DART still serve Highland Park?
No. DART ended bus, on-demand and paratransit service within Highland Park on May 14, 2026, after voters chose to withdraw on May 2. Route 237 still travels Preston Road through town but skips all Highland Park stops. Bus, rail and paratransit service in neighboring University Park continues because its voters chose to remain in DART.
How do I book Highland Park On-Demand?
Riders can book through the Highland Park On-Demand app or by calling 214-785-4345, according to People Newspapers. The service runs 5 a.m. to midnight daily within the town and a one-mile radius, including Mockingbird Station. The town posts details at hptx.org/microtransit, which is the best place to confirm current fares and hours.
Is Highland Park On-Demand free?
The microtransit service was made free for its six-month pilot, which began in mid-May 2026. The council had discussed a $3 one-way fare before deciding to waive it during the trial. Paratransit through Highland Park Access carries a $3.50 base fare. Fares after the pilot depend on future council action.
Why did Highland Park leave DART?
Town leaders argued the town paid far more in sales tax than it received in service. The town sent 1 percent of local sales tax to DART, projected at $9 million in 2026, and Highland Park has no rail station. About 70 percent of voters agreed. Supporters of DART argued the system provides regional value beyond the local routes.
Sources
- People Newspapers: Election Results (May 2, 2026)
- DART news release (May 3, 2026)
- Texas Tribune: Highland Park votes to leave DART (May 3, 2026)
- People Newspapers: HP Town Council OKs Microtransit, Paratransit Service (April 24, 2026)
- People Newspapers: Microtransit and Paratransit Get Rolling in Highland Park (May 14, 2026)
- Town of Highland Park: Residents to Vote on Continued Membership in DART (February 24, 2025)
- People Newspapers: Highland Park Town Council Looks at Shuttle Service Option (February 2026)
- People Newspapers: Highland Park Transit Service Garners New Riders (June 23, 2026)
