We’ve all heard the announcements heralding DART’s Blue Line UNT Dallas station, but what is it really like to ride DART to campus?

After hearing glowing reports from a colleague who rides the train from Garland, I decided to try it for myself today.

I left home at my usual time of 5:45 a.m. and arrived at the Rowlett station about 15 minutes from my home in Rockwall.

The train left on time at precisely 6:15 with about six passengers in my train car.  Three stops later, and the train was full.  With each stop, the passengers were reminded that this was the Blue Line, and the final destination was UNT Dallas.  As a marketing guy, it’s nice to hear the message with such consistency.

It would be interesting to have a time lapse of the train cars filling up about the Forest Jupiter station (in Garland) and then watch the crowds thin out as the train stops at Pearl/Arts District, West End, Union Station, and the VA Memorial Center station.

By the time I arrived at the UNT Dallas station I was one of only a handful remaining on the train.  It was a little disorienting stepping off the train to a wide open and empty parking lot at 7:20 in the morning.

What was more noticeable was that it had taken me a little less time to get to campus than my usual commute (especially if there is any sort of hiccup on my drive).  Instead of winding my way to campus for an hour and a half or two in traffic, with tension building thanks to traffic lights and rude drivers (worsened by any sort of weather), I actually had had time to enjoy some reading, watch the people get on and off, and see Dallas in a completely different light as the sun came up.

The train was clean, pleasant and felt very safe.  It reminded me of my times on the Metro in DC or the Subway in New York – only less frenetic, much cleaner, and significantly quieter.

For five bucks, you can’t beat the ride.  Compared to the stress of driving, a monthly gasoline bill of over $100 and a one-hour commute that frequently takes two hours by car, the DART ride was a surprisingly good experience.

Looking forward to the return trip home this afternoon.

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Date: October 31, 2016

By: Randy Jolly, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications