The long-debated issue over whether to expand Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) services in Collin County is taking a big step toward realization. A feasibility study is now underway, analyzing whether the DART rail line or another form of DART public transit should extend beyond Plano, up to All en and McKinney. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) tabled the issue last fall when DART member cities, including Plano, threatened to part ways with the agency. Member cities were prepared to take the issue to voters after voicing concerns surrounding DART services and whether taxpayers were getting a fair return on their investment. However, after DART’s board agreed to some concessions, member cities, including Plano, opted to remain DART partner cities, allowing the RTC to bring the study back up for a vote on March 12. The RTC voted to “unpause” the study, hire a consultant in May to help with planning, form a project advisory committee and kick off the study in June or July of this year. Another reason proponents urged the RTC to resume the analysis as soon as possible was that funding for the analysis will expire in early 2027. It would take years, but a new DART stop could be a short walk away from McKinney’s historic downtown square. “I think it could be great,” said Shelbey Thompson, a line manager at Spoons Café. “I really think that could be beneficial  to so many people, and these are all mom and pop shops, so it will bring business.” Not all local shops share Shelbey Thompson’s personal opinion. NBC 5 spoke with a handful of business owners in Allen and McKinney who declined an on-camera interview but voiced concerns, including homeless encroachment. Last week, regional transit leaders approved resuming a yearlong McKinney passenger rail corridor study examining a potential DART expansion North. NBC 5 contacted media representatives for the cities of Plano, Allen and McKinney on Tuesday, seeking comment. “This will be a feasibility study,” explains RTC member and Plano mayor John Muns. NBC 5 asked Muns to explain the process and potential timeline. “They hire a consultant to really find out the costs. There is rail that exists right now, and so will that be able to be used, or will they have to really kind of lay rail, new rail down or whatever that might be,” Muns said. “Once that study gets done, then we’ll be able to sit down and talk about whose responsibility will be what.” What’s not yet clear and may be part of the study’s findings is what kind of DAR T service works best: light rail, commuter rail or maybe just rapid transit bus service. Before the RTC’s unanimous vote in favor of resuming the study, one member voiced his opinion, saying light rail may not be the right DART “tool” for this particular corridor, and it would be better not to “force” riders to transfer in Plano and instead extend the regional rail from Fort Worth. Muns emphasizes that major discussions and potential decisions are at least one year away. “Will DART want to take this on? Will the RTC want to take this on? Those will be discussions once we have a better idea of what we’re looking at,” he said. Muns said he joined McKinney’s mayor in voting yes to the study, hoping that the decision to remain a DART member city would lead to an expansion beyond Plano. “To just have these 13 member cities over the last 43 years makes no sense, and so this is a real positive move for DART, for RTC and obviously for the growth cities that are to the north of us,” Muns said. A spokesperson for the city of McKinney provided NBC 5 with a statement on Tuesday saying: ‘The City of McKinney is aware of ongoing regional analysis regarding a potential rail connection extending north from Plano. This type of long-range planning is not new, as McKinney has been included in prior regional transportation discussions. We believe it is important for regional partners to periodically evaluate growth and long-term transportation needs. We look forward to remaining engaged and informed as the study progresses.’ Potential routes are not yet known, but one option would extend Plano’s existing Red Line that ends near Parker and 75, following existing tracks in Allen (building/replacing missing sections) between Greenville Avenue and Highway 75/North Central Expressway, up to McKinney, following existing tracks running along or near Highway 5. There are also talks of building onto the new Silver Line. Because Allen representatives have historically expressed some opposition to adding DART services in their city, NBC 5 asked Muns if this sentiment remains the same. “I don’t know that for a fact, so I’m just going to go: I know Allen has really resisted this conversation, but that was a long time ago. So I’m going to say, I do not know,” said Muns. A spokesperson for the city of Allen informed NBC 5 that they would be unable to provide a statement in time. If Allen representatives provide a statement at a later time, NBC 5 will add it to this report. ...read more read less