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Old 03-03-2010, 10:03 PM
 
Location: Murphy, TX
673 posts, read 3,092,606 times
Reputation: 511

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I am planning on visiting downtown Dallas this week. I am going to make the trip to and back during non-rush hour (I really hate rush hour traffic).

Someone mentioned I should just use the DART and get day passes. However, the few times I took the DART it was so SLOW. From the George Bush Station in Plano, it takes 10-15 minutes to Park+Get a ticket and then another 45 minutes for the slow ride to downtown. Thats almost 1 hours just from US75/PGBT to Downtown! For me to drive, during non-rush hour, from George Bush to downtown takes only 20 minutes!

Next thing is the DART day-pass costs $4 each, there are probably going to 3-4 of us so that $16 total. In downtown, you actually find those $1-$4 all day parking. Even if you count 2 gallons of gas, it costs less than buying the DART rail passes!

Only way I can see DART rail may come up ahead is if there is some accident on US 75. Even then a 40 minutes traffic jam would still equal time its takes using DART. I really can't see using DART as best travel option, especially when you plan on traveling during non-rush hour.
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Old 03-03-2010, 10:55 PM
 
Location: Dallas
4,630 posts, read 10,484,270 times
Reputation: 3898
You're right - all that is true. When I use DART (also from Turnpike) it's not to save time or money. It's to get the frick off that hell that is Central. If I can pop on the train, sit back in safety and comfort avoiding the the stress of all the 75 crazies, well to me it's like 45 minutes bliss rather than 25 minutes of stress. And if you skip around downtown all day going to various places the 4 bucks pays off.

Now DART may be faster or just as fast at crush hour. I haven't tried that yet. One thing is for sure - it's safer.
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Old 03-04-2010, 05:52 AM
 
Location: Lake Highlands (Dallas)
2,394 posts, read 8,599,825 times
Reputation: 1040
I agree with Bostonian. I used to ride it downtown for work from the furthest North Plano station. My favorite part of being the last stop? I could sleep on my way home. That rocked. I got home from work refreshed - such a unique experience.

On the other hand, if you're going downtown during non-rush hour in a group and plan to park at one place and only walk around near that parking lot (or willing to move your car multiple times), then driving down may make sense. If you do drive down, one area that isn't covered by DART is Knox street off of Central Expressway. If you haven't checked that area out and do drive - I highly recommend stopping there for at a minimum a frozen custard at Wild About Harry's (across the street from Crate & Barrel - if they have cinamon custard available, I'd highly recommend it).

Hope your trip downtown is fun.
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Old 11-03-2010, 10:42 PM
 
990 posts, read 2,304,715 times
Reputation: 1149
Quote:
Originally Posted by unseengundam View Post
I am planning on visiting downtown Dallas this week. I am going to make the trip to and back during non-rush hour (I really hate rush hour traffic).

Someone mentioned I should just use the DART and get day passes. However, the few times I took the DART it was so SLOW. From the George Bush Station in Plano, it takes 10-15 minutes to Park+Get a ticket and then another 45 minutes for the slow ride to downtown. Thats almost 1 hours just from US75/PGBT to Downtown! For me to drive, during non-rush hour, from George Bush to downtown takes only 20 minutes!

Next thing is the DART day-pass costs $4 each, there are probably going to 3-4 of us so that $16 total. In downtown, you actually find those $1-$4 all day parking. Even if you count 2 gallons of gas, it costs less than buying the DART rail passes!

Only way I can see DART rail may come up ahead is if there is some accident on US 75. Even then a 40 minutes traffic jam would still equal time its takes using DART. I really can't see using DART as best travel option, especially when you plan on traveling during non-rush hour.
I know this is old, but I'll put it this way. I was spending $80/week on gas vs $50 a month for a DART pass. There was traffic every work day. Had to pay for parking. Bottom line, its a commuter system.
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Old 11-04-2010, 07:56 AM
 
2,973 posts, read 9,487,325 times
Reputation: 1551
If you are a family going dowtown for something - you might look into paying for single rides only - they are a smidge cheaper and the reduced rate for the kids (about half price). You probably won't need a day pass if you are going to one location only. Only get a day pass if you'll be using multiple legs of the transit system - on and off trains and buses, etc.
DART.org - Fare Information
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Old 11-04-2010, 08:46 AM
 
912 posts, read 1,888,928 times
Reputation: 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by unseengundam View Post
I am planning on visiting downtown Dallas this week. I am going to make the trip to and back during non-rush hour (I really hate rush hour traffic).

Someone mentioned I should just use the DART and get day passes. However, the few times I took the DART it was so SLOW. From the George Bush Station in Plano, it takes 10-15 minutes to Park+Get a ticket and then another 45 minutes for the slow ride to downtown. Thats almost 1 hours just from US75/PGBT to Downtown! For me to drive, during non-rush hour, from George Bush to downtown takes only 20 minutes!

Next thing is the DART day-pass costs $4 each, there are probably going to 3-4 of us so that $16 total. In downtown, you actually find those $1-$4 all day parking. Even if you count 2 gallons of gas, it costs less than buying the DART rail passes!

Only way I can see DART rail may come up ahead is if there is some accident on US 75. Even then a 40 minutes traffic jam would still equal time its takes using DART. I really can't see using DART as best travel option, especially when you plan on traveling during non-rush hour.
Well, yes, one shouldn't be expected to use DART in such a fashion. The best utilization of DART rail would be for one to live in Plano and work in the Telecom Corridor for example. If you are taking an occasional trip into downtown, then it would be more efficient to take a car. Really, there are three employment centers along Central expressway with these being the greater downtown Dallas area, the Northpark commercial shopping district, and the Telecom Corridor. In the future, one could choose to live close to a DART Station within a TOD along the whole stretch of Central served by DART Light Rail and work close to a DART station within any of the three districts mentioned above.
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