DART CEO Nadine Lee Steps Down, Transit Future Uncertain

0:00It's March 25th. This is El Paso News today, driven by AI. Nadine Lee, the president and CEO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, or DART, and now she's stepping down after five years of the helm. She informed the board on Wednesday that she won't seek a contract extension, wrapping up her leadership that began in 2021. During her time, Lee guided DART through tough challenges in the transit world, helping the agency recover and sharpen its focus for North Texas. Growth. Board leaders praised her for setting a strong path forward amid ongoing uncertainties. DART provides light rail, buses, and other services across several North Texas cities, including Dallas, Plano, and Irving. Riders rely on it daily, but some cities question its value given lower ridership lately. Now her exit comes right before a key mayvote, where some member cities would decide if they stay partnered with DART. This warning could hurt everyday users, while critics say the numbers don't support the current setup.

1:00DART plans to start recruiting a successor right away, with interim leadership decisions in the weeks ahead. The groundwork is solid, positioning North Texas transit for whatever comes next.