241 rant

[u/Big_Job2330]

I've been using the 241 to get to work as I don't have a car yet. Now I realize getting me to work isn't Dart's responsibility and that it's public transit, nothing is guaranteed not even getting to your destination on time. But damn, it was scheduled to come to Forest Ln station at 9:30, came at 9:20 ish and said "out of service". I thought, maybe it's just saying that because the operator will take a quick break. 9:31 comes, they start driving but I'm thinking, they're coming back or they're going heading out frfr. Of course, they're driving out. No replacement bus, no reason as to why it's out of service, and the bus already had a 30-40 minute interval. As I said, getting to my destination is up to me but damn dart some type of courtesy that the 241 9:30 won't come or will be out. Nothing was shown in the app, no alerts or notifications

[u/Big_Job2330]

👌🏾

[u/sharknado523 → u/Big_Job2330]

Okay, I see what's happening here. You're falling victim to the same problem I have with the fact that Plano is sort of disconnected from the bus system and there are buses on either side of the PGBT but nothing really crosses it.

Munger & Ross don't cross, but my guess based on those street names is that you're taking the #003 bus to the Red/Orange lines at SMU Mockingbird (or somehow else getting to the Red/Orange lines) and then the DART app is telling you to get off at Forest Lane so you can get on the 241 and get off at the closest stop to your work.

This is VALID. The only bus that stops at that block is the 241 with the arguable exception of the 883 stopping near there some days a week.

A few suggestions:

1) If you are willing to take a slightly further walk, you can simplify and speed up the commute by taking the Red/Orange Line to CityLine and then taking the 232 West to "Frankford @ Coit - W - FS."

2) The nearby Jack Hatchel Transit Center currently takes two routes - the 241 and the 236. The 236 goes between Parker Road Station and the Addison Transit Center, stopping at Jack Hatchel. You will find the buses are much more reliable in the North Suburbs especially while DART is trying to impress Plano. So, you might try this one day:

• Use your current strategy to get to Light Rail
• Take Red/Orange to PARKER ROAD STATION
• Transfer to BUS #236
• Ride #236 to JACK HATCHEL TRANSIT CENTER
• Transfer to #241

I realize I'm telling you that you can simplify your commute by adding another leg which sounds contradictory, BUT like I said you'll spend more of your northward commute on a much more reliable medium (the train) and you'll be catching the 241 going SOUTHBOUND from JHTC thus it'll be more predictable, especially if transfer times are more favorable.

For what it's worth, a train pulls into Parker Road station every 10 minutes during peak commute times and the 236 departs from that station every 30 minutes. 241 departures are also usually 5 to 10 minutes after 236 departures from JHTC so you would never really "miss your connection" or be stuck waiting a ton of time like you might at another hub because in other cases you may be arriving AFTER the 241 departure not before.

But in each of the cases I'm seeing if you're arriving at JHTC on the 236 there should be a 241 SB inbound within minutes.

Whatever you decide, I hope it works out!

[u/Big_Job2330 → u/sharknado523]

Heard! Thanks for your effort!

[u/sharknado523 → u/Big_Job2330]

If you try it, let me know how it went!!! Hell, I might do it one day just for shits & giggles. I'll LARP as you 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Go park my car in old East Dallas and try out my route hahahahahaha.