This was my experience with the DART train (Plano, Allen: appointed, school)

[FarNorthDallas]

I have a new job downtown that does not offer paid parking (not even for the big shots) so I thought I would take the train - Red Line from Arapaho station to Akard. I did it for the first 4 days of my job and I had to give it up. It was a sheer beating.

First, it takes way too long. By the time I drove to the station, parked, bought a ticket, walked to the train (under Greenville Ave.), waited for the train, rode the train, got off and walked 3 blocks to the highrise it was anywhere from 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is 15 driving miles away.

Second, during rush hour it is standing room only. So there you are crammed in with a bunch of other people, some with bikes, standing up. So for over an hour you are on your feet, walking, trying to balance. One day I counted 17 of us, one with a bike, standing in the small front part of the train near the doors. Some people sit on the stairs in the stairwell, but I'm all dressed up and not about to do that. It's very crowded. It's very similar to being on a crowded elevator but you're stuck there for 30-45 minutes (trains are delayed in the rain).

Third, some of the teens who ride the train to school are a bit rowdy. I saw 2 of them get arrested one morning. I don't know what they did wrong but DART police had them handcuffed and they were putting them in the police car. There were about 30 kids in this particular pack and I saw them every morning and they were loud and obnoxious. Also, homeless people are on the train sleeping and I guess they just ride the train back and forth and sleep, taking up 2 seats of course.

So, I started driving my own car. I found a $2.50 lot. It takes me 30-35 minutes to make the drive, park, walk to the building. I get to listen to the radio. Riding the train stressed me out so much and I was really wanting to like it so I am a bit disappointed. In a crunch it's there and I'm glad, but every day, no way. It's emotionally and physically draining.

[MaryS80]

yes, yes, and yes! I try to like public transportation, I really do, but its just so awful.

[momof2dfw]

During peak rush hour times it is crowded and can be a pain. During the non peak times it is much more relaxing. I have friends that take the bus from a Park & Ride that is a straight thru to downtown and love it.

[lpepping]

Over an hour from greenville? Are you talking about the Park Lane station? I've taken the train from the Plano station(the farthest one) and it would take about 50 mins from what I recall. This was several years ago and yes it does get crowded. Have the schedules changed that much that it takes over an hour from park lane? Was there a delay of some sort?

[lh_newbie]

The OP stated it takea 1hr 5min to 1hr 15min from his front door to the office, so this included driving to the station, walking to the train, waiting for the train, riding the train and walking to the office.

He then says that same door-to-office scenario takes 30-35min in a car.

So, IMO, this is a fair comparison. My experience when driving from Allen to downtown -vs- taking DART is that it took about 5-10 mins longer on the DART, but DART was consistent, whereas driving on Central meant I was at the mercy of accidents, which could easily add another 30-45 minutes to the drive (which happened on average once a week). For me, when I lived in Allen, DART was the more attractive option.

It was definitely packed during rush hour - so I rode early (otherwise I couldn't get a parking spot in the Plano station). I still usually gave up my seat after a few stops to an elderly person if one was standing.

If DART were to add another set of tracks, add an express route from the further north stations, double parking at all the "park and ride" stations and increase peak train frequency - I fully believe they would drastically increase ridership. Of course this may need to wait until they add the second downtown line (there's already backups downtown with the trains).

Brian

[galore]

Originally Posted by lh_newbie

I fully believe they would drastically increase ridership.

Which means you will still not get a seat in a crowded train.

I've ridden the NYC subway, London Tube, Paris Metro, Seoul Subway, Tokio Subway, Munich Subway, Linz public transportation and Vienna subway - all of which are massive compared to DART and ALL are crowded during peak times.

Popular public transportation is always crowded during peak times in my experience.

[txman]

Originally Posted by galore

Popular public transportation is always crowded during peak times in my experience.

Exactly..just like the freeways. As someone pointed out, it's the consistency that's a huge factor when choosing public transportation. It amazes me that many of my coworkers who live in distant surburbs that have access to DART don't use it. It seems the ones that do are always at work on time (usually early). And those that don't are late at least twice a week or more. I would still rather be on a crowded rail car that's moving while I'm reading a book or listening to my IPOD than sitting on a traffic jammed freeway burning gas.

[cdelena]

Why People Don't Use Mass Transit

[lh_newbie]

The danger of DART - on my way home, I used to fall asleep all the time. Luckily, I was on the last stop at the time. I've woken up and the train was empty several times.

[lpepping]

HAHA yes I feel asleep a few times too...woke up not knowing where I was and hoping I hadn't missed my stop.