My Opportunities, a year-long continuing education and job placement program, says about 40-50% of its participants use DART.
PLANO, Texas — For Tripp Hemphill, there’s nothing better than watching the pure joy at pickup and drop-off.
“They see a driver they love, and they just yell their name, run over to them and hug them,” Hemphill said.
At My Possibilities, the first full-day, year-long continuing education and job placement program in Plano, these moments aren’t just part of the routine, they’re a lifeline.
The organization serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, affectionately referred to as “hipsters” instead of students. Many of them rely on DART, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system, for daily transportation to and from the program.
“DART is pretty much the lifeline for a lot of the people that attend our program,” Hemphill said.
But the changes proposed by DART could impact those who benefit from the school and programs.
In March, the DART Board approved a new General Mobility Program, which would redistribute 5% of its annual sales tax revenue between seven cities for two years. DART said they’ve also received requests for new services.
In order to meet those needs, they proposed reducing the frequency in routes, light rail, TRE and the Silver Line. Plans also include increasing fares to ADA Paratransit and eliminating nine bus routes and some GoLink zones.
“DART is the number-one thing in my mind that they could not live without if it disappeared,” Hemphill said.
He estimates 40% to 50% of My Possibilities’ participants depend on DART to attend the program.
“It was not just, ‘let’s cut this and not listen,’” said Jasmyn Carter with DART. “Worst-case scenario, this is what we’re going to present to you.”
Carter said community input is critical as the agency weighs its options.
Just last week, DART held a public meeting that lasted well past midnight, with nearly 200 speakers voicing their concerns.
“This was an opportunity for us to just sit and listen and say, ‘OK, this is what we need to consider before Aug. 1,’” Carter said.
DART’s board of directors is expected to vote on the proposed changes in August. If approved, they’ll take effect in January 2026.
Until then, Hemphill and the My Possibilities community are urging decision-makers to keep the routes in place.