Overhead wire repairs trigger delays with DART light rail system Wednesday
DALLAS - Some DART light rail passengers waited in subfreezing temperatures Wednesday morning due to ongoing repairs, and the slow commute continued into the night for DART riders while crews worked to fix electrical lines near SMU/Mockingbird Station.
The transit agency said that riders would have to use shuttles to move between some stations because of overhead wire repairs near the station.
DART blames the cold weather for the disrupted service, which should wrap up by Thursday before the morning commute.
The transit agency has tackled problems several times this week after the temperature drop. The wind and cold can negatively affect wires and power lines.
Anyone taking the Orange Line will have to transfer to the green line. They can then board the shuttle buses between the Pearl/Arts District Station and Lovers Lane Station. Red Line passengers need to get on the same shuttle.
People taking the Blue Line can board there as well and have the option to take shuttle buses at White Rock Station
Riders were frustrated after standing out in subfreezing temperatures for their morning commute, then having to again wait in the cold as they deal with interrupted service to get back home.
DART crews were hard at work Wednesday to repair crippled power lines in the bitter cold.
Temperatures were so frigid, a line contracted and snapped, getting caught on an oncoming Blue Line train, causing even more damage.
“It's been kind of stressful, man, really,” rider Billy Thompson said.
The morning commute dragged on for riders Wednesday.
“It's kind of going to put a twist in my schedule for the day,” rider Keith Kaufman added.
Passengers had to wait for shuttle buses that were picking up the slack for interrupted service on several rail lines, with average weekly ridership of about 48,000.
“The Red, Orange, and Blue Lines all go through that area, so when we have a failure, that tends to be the area that's hit immediately because it sees so much train action,” DART spokesman Gordon Shattles explained.
Passengers were bundled up and huddled up.
“Not knowing where to go and how to get there, this and that,” Thompson added.
They had to wait in the cold while figuring out which bus to board.
“It's very frustrating because everybody has the same anger, you know what I'm saying,” rider Nicholas Thomas said. “And we all stuck on the same bus, everybody cramped up, feet hurting, so it's just kind of frustrating to be late for work.”
Some skipped the shuttle buses altogether, catching a ride share instead.
DART said says another service disruption -- also caused by the cold -- in the West End Tuesday evening has been resolved.
A spokesman adds that no one was injured in the incident near SMU/Mockingbird Station.
The transit agency communicated updates to passengers through social media and email.
“I just let work know I'll be there as soon as possible. and if they need to see proof of it, I just show them my phone,” Brad Baskett added.
And despite the inconvenience, passengers said they were still along for the ride.
“I will still continue to ride DART because I think it's a good system. however, it just needs a few tweaks here and there,” Kaufman said.
A DART spokesman recommends riders download the DART app and sign up for alerts through its website to make sure you have the latest information.