Riding DART (Dallas, Plano, Irving: real estate, price, safe)

[SnrBrn]

Moving to the Dallas metro area due to job in downtown. Since most real estate within a 30 minute drive is out of price range, I was looking at DART rail. Would likely take DART from Carrollton area to heart of downtown. Is the DART rail system a safe, clean and viable option or would I be better off finding a carpool or driving on my own? Thank you in advance.

[Soonhun]

Originally Posted by SnrBrn

Moving to the Dallas metro area due to job in downtown. Since most real estate within a 30 minute drive is out of price range, I was looking at DART rail. Would likely take DART from Carrollton area to heart of downtown. Is the DART rail system a safe, clean and viable option or would I be better off finding a carpool or driving on my own? Thank you in advance.

I would say DART from Carrollton to Dallas is safe and clean, despite the trains smelling bad occasionally. Carpooling will still be more convenient, though.

[Sunbather]

I've taken the DART daily to work downtown for 3 years. No real complaints. If you're used to public transit there are no surprises. It's reasonably priced, reliable, and I've rarely felt unsafe (feels safer than being on the roads! Haha). I enjoy taking the train and not worrying about traffic or parking.

However my experience is slightly different since I only take it 3 stops and not from Carrollton. I'm sure some others here can chime in on that specific route.

[TXTwizter]

As long as you avoid the West End Station you should be ok.

[FranklinsTower18]

I've been riding the DART redline from Plano to downtown since 2003. I have mixed feelings about it. I like putting gas in the car once every three or four weeks and not dealing with traffic but sometimes the trains are dirty and stink. Also I've had a few encounters with *very strange* and mentally unstable people. I think from Carrolton if you ride during main commuting hours you will be fine. If you think there is a chance you will work late then seriously consider driving. The type of passengers/riders after 6:30 PM really starts declining quickly and you may find yourself in an unsafe situation*.

*I'm a 40-something male and although I see many female passengers I would not want my wife riding.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by TXTwizter

As long as you avoid the West End Station you should be ok.

West End Station has been terrible for a while. My newly adult kid has been riding DART for a couple of years. Aside from some bizarre scenes, one being a mentally unstable person attempting to sell an outdated packaged donut that they found under a seat to passengers (people politely declined), it's been OK. Kid made the mistake of getting off at West End to get a slice of pizza and was mugged. Or sort of mugged? Homeless guy cornered her and demanded money. No weapon at all, just intimidation. DART police were right there, paid no attention. She gave him the $5 she had just to get away and got back on the train.

[Taynxtlvl]

I take it from Richardson occassionally for events at American Airlines and have taken it a few time to and fro from DFW international. Yes it is definitely good for the most part. And I will say in my 4 years here the clientale have trending upwared. lots of people headed to work in center city form Irving, Lewisville, Carrollton, Plano, Richardson, and even Rowlett area.

West end station does indeed get the side eye.

[f4shionablecha0s]

Originally Posted by SnrBrn

Moving to the Dallas metro area due to job in downtown. Since most real estate within a 30 minute drive is out of price range, I was looking at DART rail. Would likely take DART from Carrollton area to heart of downtown. Is the DART rail system a safe, clean and viable option or would I be better off finding a carpool or driving on my own? Thank you in advance.

Yes. It is safe, generally clean, and reliable.

[Rippla]

You will get confronted immediately getting off the train at West End by people selling drugs or asking for money, or at least that's how it was for me 1.5 years ago.

But that's small fry. It's the police that are the real scourge at that station. They've got an evil vibe and are looking for any (well dressed/student or worker) person to harass and fine for anything, meanwhile all this pimping and hustling is happening literally in front of them. Got the first and only jaywalking ticket of my life at West End cause I walked slightly out of the lines of the crosswalk, with no train in sight. One cop threatened to taze me, then three officers backed me up against a wall and creatively insulted me yelling that I'm on drugs and threatening to arrest me for homelessness? for 20 minutes (making me miss my exam), while hobos and junkies jaywalked right in front of us the whole time. Nothing against hobos, but theres something really fishy and menacing going on with the PD at that station

If you gotta get off there dont hang around for a second

[happycrow]

I wish I couldn't back that up, but my experience is nearly identical. I avoid that station like the plague.