Even people who don’t usually ride DART should be able to use it as a fallback during inclement weather. During the current winter weather, DART has been a complete failure.
On Tuesday, the train lines did not begin running until 2:30 p.m. DART was completely unprepared as switching signals froze and ice formed on overhead cables.
Subways in Chicago and New York run with power supplied by a third rail. Ice is not a problem. But in cold-weather cities like Denver, light rail runs despite snow and sleet and cold. The trolleys in Boston run with an overhead power supply despite ice and wind.
In those cities, the transportation systems run the trains through the night to keep the power lines defrosted — and keep the trains running during normal operating hours.
DART failed to keep their riders informed. This morning at Hampton Station, a number of riders arrived by 7:30 a.m. They checked DART’s web page and Facebook page on their mobile devices. DART said trains were running at 20-minute intervals and a Green Line train was stuck downtown because of a switching problem.
Station monitors had no information for riders. The only help offered was calling DART four times to tell them ticket machines weren’t working and conductors shouldn’t fine riders who claimed they boarded at Hampton Station.
Those same riders who arrived at 7:30 a.m. finally boarded a train at 8:45.
The only explanation on DART’s website was rolling blackouts that could delay trains up to an additional 15 minutes. Rolling blackouts hit various parts of Dallas and all of Texas to conserve electricity, but hospitals and nursing homes are exempted. Why is power to public transportation systems not exempt also? DART should be seen as a vital service — something we can rely on.
The trains proceeded slowly with frequent stops between stations. Some of those stops were to make sure crossing signals were down. Another was on the bridge over the Trinity River — no explanation, but certainly no cross traffic. Another was at a DART service yard where a workman came running toward the train with a small can of … WD40? De-icer? Pretty small can for such a big train.
The Green Line train reported stuck downtown before 9 a.m. was still stalled at Akard Station at 10:30. (Or maybe it was a different disabled train, in which case DART has an even bigger problem with its cars). DART has little contingency for a disabled train, it seems. And if that train gets stuck somewhere between the West End and Akard, all DART service on every line grinds to a halt. And apparently grinds to a halt without any warning or explanation to passengers. And passengers may be left sitting on a train for an hour or more without the option of getting off, even if their train is safely stopped along a sidewalk.
For a city trying to put its best face forward to visiting business executives this week who might bring a convention to the city or even their headquarters, DART added a big fat red “F” to the city’s report card.
And another complaint: Super Bowl visitors aren’t staying in Oak Cliff, so — as usual — screw Oak Cliff! Not a single street there has been sanded, including Interstate 35E south of the Trinity River.
David – Last year when we had that monster snowstorm, DART trains were affected exactly the same way. At the time, I was riding the Red Line to Richardson and when that storm hit, it was like they had NO clue what was going on or what to do. I called “customer service” to see what in the world would cause this, and I also pointed out, as you have, that the train systems in cities more prone to winter weather manage to keep their trains running. The woman in “customer service” told me that the trains weren’t built for cold weather.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I just hung up in disgust. I do wish DART would get it’s act together.
You said, “DART failed to keep their riders informed.” Ain’t that the truth. Dozens of people were standing with me in the cold yesterday and today for hours without ANY information from DART about what the problem was. The web site gave NO useful information. The “Information Phone” at the station just gave a busy signal. This tells me that DART does not care about its riders. A DART truck even came by, but when they were approached by riders (I guess they should really be called “waiters”) the two DART guys jumped back in their truck and hot tailed it out of the station. We need to know whether or not DART can get us to work, or whether we need to find another way. DART needs to figure out how to let us know. If DART is undependable, then that means that I can’t depend on DART to get to work. So far, DART cannot be depended on. If you have a real job, you should find another way to get there. If DART can figure out how to communicate with riders effectively in a timely way, then we can deal with them. The Morning News says that the trains in COLD Colorado are basically the same trains and have NEVER been shut down or significantly delayed.
I’ve never been thrilled with DART’s handling of difficult situations.
Snow? stop the trains.
Football game? forget it
State fair? better f**kin drive
it better be better before tonight. I’ve got and important ride from parker rd to westmoreland and back again, and I don’t wanna be out all goddamn night.
Maybe DART needs to get on the good side of Jerry Jones…the stadium had no problems bypassing the rolling blockout
sorry I meant blackout
Y’all know DART is a political organization, and the people that “run” it are political appointees.
Knowledge has no bearing whatsoever. Kinda like being Mayor…
Return trip home:
DART website: Trains are running every 20 minutes.
DART Facebook page: Trains are running every 30 minutes.
After a 45 minute wait for the Red Line (and no Blue Line train during that wait at City Place Station), the ride was normal. The train was crowded but ran without interruption – faster through Downtown than usual because of no traffic, slower than usual over the river and through Oak Cliff for safety. Total travel time about regular.
Today? I’m driving. But I want to hear from people who braved DART again.
I rode from the Buckner station to Richardson. Stopped off at Westend at the new McDonalds. No problems today.
Good to know DART was running well yesterday. But now (Friday) we have snow. Will DART come through? They worked fine in snow before. I’ll let you know when I get to the office.