PILLAR: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: October 28, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 1, 2
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation and Public Works
PRIORITY: Infrastructure
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize disbursement to Dallas Area Rapid Transit for operation and maintenance costs for the Dallas Streetcar System from Union Station to Bishop Arts District for FY 2027 in an amount not to exceed $2,807,875.34 - Not to exceed $2,807,875.34 - Financing: Dallas Streetcar System Fund ($2,507,875.34) and DART Six-Year General Mobility Program Fund ($300,000.00)
Body
BACKGROUND
The Dallas Modern Streetcar is a City owned facility that links the downtown Central Business District to Methodist Hospital in Oak Cliff and the Bishop Arts District. The system includes six stops on 2.45 miles of track, all within the City street network. The system was constructed using $81 million in State and Federal grant funds with the expectation of providing economic stimulus, neighborhood revitalization, and an alternate mode of public transportation for at least a 30-year period.
The City maintains interlocal agreements (ILA) with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), Federal Transit Administration, Texas Department of Transportation, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) pertaining to the Dallas Streetcar System. These ILA’s established the City of Dallas as the owner of the Dallas Streetcar and allow for the City to rely on technical expertise from DART to operate and maintain the Dallas Streetcar.
On August 28, 2019, the City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a consolidated Master Streetcar ILA with DART for the operation and maintenance of the Dallas Streetcar System from Union Station to the Bishop Arts District. This consolidated ILA concisely restates the roles and responsibilities from eight previously approved ILA’s (Streetcar Foundation Agreements) for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the streetcar system by Resolution No. 19-1235.
If approved, the current action will authorize the payment of funds to DART for Streetcar operation and maintenance in FY 2027 in the amount of $2,807,875.34.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 15, 2016, the City Council authorized an amendment to the ILA with DART to provide for the operation and maintenance for the southern and northern extensions of the Dallas Streetcar System (Union Station to North Oak Cliff) and two additional vehicles by Resolution No. 16-0980.
On April 25, 2018, the City Council authorized an amendment to the ILA with DART to establish a $1.00 fare for the Dallas Streetcar by Resolution No. 18-0625.
On August 28, 2019, the City Council authorized a Master Streetcar ILA with DART for the purpose of restating and consolidating the provisions in the Streetcar Foundation Agreements that describe the respective duties, responsibilities, and ownership interest of the City of Dallas and DART in relation to the Dallas Streetcar System by Resolution No. 19-1235.
On December 8, 2021, the City Council authorized the dedication of $475,000.00 in Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District funds from the available District-Wide Set-Aside to support the operation and maintenance of the Dallas Streetcar for FY 2022; the transfer of funds in the amount of $475,000.00 from the Oak Cliff Gateway TIF District Fund to the Dallas Streetcar System Fund; and the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Dallas Streetcar System Fund, in an amount not exceed $1,000,000.00, by Resolution No. 21-1969.
On October 12, 2022, the City Council authorized payment to DART for the operation and maintenance of the Dallas Streetcar System for FY 2023 by Resolution No. 22-1536.
On February 28, 2024, the City Council authorized payment to DART for the operation and maintenance of the Dallas Streetcar System for FY 2024 by Resolution No. 24-0332.
On October 23, 2024, the City Council authorized payment to DART for the operation and maintenance of the Dallas Streetcar System for FY 2025 by Resolution No. 24-1561.
On October 22, 2025, the City Council authorized payment to DART for the operation and maintenance of the Dallas Streetcar System for FY 2026 by Resolution No. 25-1673.
The City Council will be briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on October 23, 2026.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2027 |
FY 2028 |
Future Years |
|
Dallas Streetcar System Fund |
$2,507,875.34 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
DART Six-Year General Mobility Program Fund |
$ 300,000.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Total |
$2,807,875.34 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
Council District Amount
1 $2,527,087.81
2 $ 280,787.53
Total $2,807,875.34
MAP
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