DART rail lines experiencing delays due to ice, shuts down streetcar service

Due to extreme winter weather in North Texas, DART announced around noon Tuesday that it was experiencing “significant delays” with its rail service, including the red, blue, green and orange lines.

“Please allow for additional travel time to reach your destination and we encourage you to avoid travel where possible,” the driver warning said.

At around 3:00 p.m., the public transit company issued another warning for passengers on the red and blue lines, saying they should expect delays due to ice on the Trinity River bridge and that a shuttle bus would take passengers between the 8th and the Corinth Station and Cedar Station.

DART also said its streetcar line, which runs from downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff, will not be operating because of the severe weather.

In preparation for freezing conditions, the service said in a press release Monday that it is treating its stations, parking lots and sidewalks and weatherproofing its vehicles. DART also partnered with the city of Dallas to ensure their bus routes were honed, spokesman Gordon Shattles said.

“Our goal is to keep the service running for as long as possible,” Shattles said. “And if that changes, we will make sure we let our customers and drivers know as soon as possible.”

Additionally, some DART transit centers are open to keep drivers safe and warm during the winter storm. These stations are fully staffed to help customers get to their destinations and to answer their questions.

“They’re all occupied, so be sure to come in, out of the cold weather,” he said. “Stay warm inside while you wait for your bus or train to arrive.”

Stations open until 10pm include Addison Transit Center, CBD East Transfer Center, CBD West Transfer Center, Cockrell Hill Transfer Location, Downtown Garland Station, Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing Station, Illinois Station, JB Jackson Jr. Transit Center, Ledbetter Station, Parker Road Station and South Garland Transit Center.

Stations open until 5:00 p.m. include Lake June Station, Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center, Hampton Station, EBJ Union Station, Red Bird Transit Center, Arapaho Center Station, Cockrell Hill transfer point and the transfer point Bernal/Singleton.

DART will notify riders of any schedule changes, including delays or disrupted services, on its social media platforms, website and GoPass app.

“The weather is definitely going to get worse, but I have every faith that DART can continue operations,” Shattles said.

On Tuesday morning, DART also issued a notice of expected delays on the Trinity Railway Express “due to weather-related switch problems”.

DART reminds riders to dress in layers and cover exposed skin to avoid frostbite or hypothermia.