Perot “Thursdays on Tap” Incident
Posted by navelez8911@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 171 comments
Attended the “Thursday on Tap” event last night at the Perot Museum. For those not familiar, it’s an adult only weekly event at the museum from 6pm-10pm. They have live music, food truck and drink vendors out and throughout the museum. It’s $25/ticket to attend and usually sells out each time.
On the Perot website, they show their suggested parking lot under Woodall Rodgers Fwy, and an advertised $15 parking when visiting the museum. When you purchase tickets to the event, the email shows the same lot and says for the event it is $10 per vehicle. So I decided to drive and use the lot, as it’s right next to the entrance.
When I arrived, the lot is now $25 and run by LAZ Parking. I had already driven all the way there, no where else to park near the museum and didn’t really have a choice to drive around downtown to look for parking. The kids running the entrance were sitting with headphones on, talking on the phone and just held out a card reader to pay. Not great.
In the museum, it’s a lot of exhibits, but most are broken or not functioning correctly, so it’s not the most exciting experience. Lesson learned there, live music was great though!
We stayed until 10, and when leaving, cops were all over the designated parking lot with crime scene vans. Almost every truck that was parked there had windows busted out and items stolen. Just walking the direction to our cars, counted at least 10 different trucks. Definitely a targeted attack, but where was the lot security that we paid for?
I’ve emailed the Perot museum for explanation and possible reimbursement. The event is a great idea, but the exhibits are dated, most are broken or empty, and the costs are insane. Two people going to this costs $75 just to get through the doors. Let alone the extra costs for drinks and food. Definitely not attending again and warning people about this as much as I can.
TLDR: Thursday on Tap crazy expensive for non working exhibits, hidden parking fees, huge number of vehicles broken into last night during the event in the Perot Museum “Visitors Only” parking lot, would not suggest attending anymore
bethy828@reddit
Going downtown from Far North Dallas, I usually park at Mockingbird Station and take DART from there. There’s enough action at Mockingbird Station that I don’t worry about my car. Sure, something could happen but I think it’s more likely downtown.
I’m usually going somewhere in downtown proper with DART though I do have an upcoming event at Perot. I’ll probably take DART from Mockingbird and exit St Paul to walk over Woodall Rodgers rather than under to walk from there. I’m used to walking — it doesn’t bother me.
Kate-daisy@reddit
Pro tip for that area. You can valet park at the happiest hour for free as long as you at least grab a drink and maybe an appetizer there. It’s a 4-5 ish block walk to the Perot from there. Not too bad, and the lot is supervised. We’ve done it several times. Also really great option for any event at American Airlines, which is just 2 blocks away. We’ve done it for concerts, mavericks/stars games as well. Just tip the valet guy nicely. I think the valet closes at midnight.
bromosabeach@reddit
Why are people so anti taking trains in Dallas? Honest question as I don’t live there but visit for family. But I remember there is a train like a block away from this place. That would have immediately saved you parking.
I remember being there and the people I stayed with lived like two blocks from a train station and they refused to ever take it. Instead they drove us everwhere and bitched about parking.
KennyDROmega@reddit
Look at pretty much any train related post on this sub and you'll see people talking about DART like it's the 1970's NYC subway system.
Conditioned a lot of people to be irrationally scared of homeless and drunk people who almost certainly won't bother you if you ride.
beautamousmunch@reddit
DART trains, stations and downtown Dallas are not a good mix. Pretty dangerous especially at night. This isn’t NYC, never will be. Police presence was ramped up here, but apparently not enough.
Cassius_Rex@reddit
The fear isn't irrational, I did the park and ride thing twice to take my dad to mavericks games before he passed away, BOTH times we had problems requiring actual police intervention.
Even riding alone, I've had to deal with just too much nonsense to ever want to do it again. It's says something about how people act that driving in bad traffic, paying way too much to park and still having to walk a long distance is still preferable to a DART train ride.
KennyDROmega@reddit
I have ridden the train hundreds of times and never felt the need to contact the police.
I'm sorry you had bad experiences, but it definitely isn't typical.
Cassius_Rex@reddit
Then you are either incredibly lucky, or blind.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/dart-2024-q1-crime-statistics-dallas
DART received 437 priority one calls during the first three months of 2023. During the three months of this year, calls more than doubled to 1,055.
rexinthecity@reddit
I’ve take the DART on 4 occasions and never had a particularly pleasant experience. Last time there was a group of teenagers hot boxing in one of the cars. I’d rather drive and pay for parking than deal with that.
whytakemyusername@reddit
Because surprisingly, people don't want to deal with this shit.
shellbear05@reddit
As a woman, late at night it does feel very unsafe. Not uncommon at all to have people screaming at the top of their lungs and walking around train cars erratically, clearly on some kind of substance. I stick to the front driver car for safety but even one car back from that can get really dicey. I will not ride alone.
Rory_B_Bellows@reddit
As a big dude, it feels unsafe.
ballzhangingdown@reddit
As a small dude, it feels whatever.
grubbalubbadubdub@reddit
As a small chick, ditto. Yes there are homeless people, but I’ve never been bothered.
Dick_Lazer@reddit
How? I've been on the trains at all times of day and night (was tipsy once and even accidentally rode a train back to the station on its last ride of service), have never had any issues.
PSOak@reddit
This. I’m a daily train commuter downtown for work, and I would never take the DART home after an untapped event. Too late at night to justify walking to the station, waiting for a train, transferring to another train, etc. Nope.
ZarBandit@reddit
Even 99 times out of 100 isn’t good enough. If the DART fanboys want it to be viable, try advocating for it to be cleaned up instead of gaslighting people who try it once and know the truth.
Ozera_@reddit
Wholeheartedly agree; and I am a DART fanboy!
It boggles my mind that people are told to, in essence, get used to it. If I had the choice between a erratic screaming homeless person and driving...is there really a choice?
KennyDROmega@reddit
If you find a city big enough to have public transport that doesn't also have to deal with homeless people sometimes behaving erratically on it, let me know.
Meanwhile have fun driving.
moxymoxy@reddit
That’s the problem with DART tho most other cities with public transit have higher usage rates and personnel that impart some level of safety.
As a solo woman I tried DART many times when I first moved to the city from SF so none of the typical problems usually make me uncomfortable but I won’t take DART by myself because often you can be the only paying user and disembarking at unmanned stations is sketch. Being harassed and followed out into a station and having to calculate whether you should run or not is just not worth it when I still have to leave my car at an unattended DART parking lot.
Spiritual_Cod212@reddit
One thing I learned from using the train systems in NYC, SF, Dallas, and Chicago is that the ratio of normal people to psychos really matters. Chicago and NYC will always have more normals, but the safety of BART in SF can really vary depending on the time if day. It’s totally safe at 8 am and then it goes to shit at 2 pm.
NightGod@reddit
Yeah, I used to ride the L and busses through some pretty sketch areas when I worked in a restaurant in downtown Chicago, but DART at night just isn't the vibe
Xyllus@reddit
100% unless there's is a specific event, the dart trains are like 50% homeless people. Not to mention the stations are often even worse. I've never felt completely safe on dart.
hot_rod_kimble@reddit
And the urine. So. much. urine.
YaGetSkeeted0n@reddit
Tokyo is probably fairly chill on that. But the flip side is women-only cars on the commuter trains cause of degenerates groping women
Dick_Lazer@reddit
Tokyo is god-tier as far as train service goes
IShouldLiveInPepper@reddit
Thanks! I will have fun driving. I don't take the train not because of homelessness but because it's the slowest train in existence and takes about 12 hours to get wherever you're going.
girafa@reddit
You'll be happy to hear that Warsaw exists, where I've taken dozens of trams/trains/subways/busses in the past month and saw fewer homeless people on all of those rides combined compared to 1 ride to downtown Dallas from Garland.
NightGod@reddit
I would love nothing more than to be a DART fanboy. I'm definitely a public transit fanboy. I would have to be in really dire straits to ride the DART at night, and I'm a guy who used to ride the L out of downtown Chicago at 3 in the morning without a second thought and often had to walk home a couple of miles through the South side (79th and Western to 79th and Pulaski) after getting off the last bus at 3am.
But damn, I sure would LOVE to have the DART's potential really realized.
Side note, fuck Jerry Jones; I just want to be able to take the damn DART to Great America =x
ZarBandit@reddit
Sounds very sensible. I’m sure the others will hate it. lol
I’m no fanboy of DART or public transport, but if there was a convenient and safe park and ride option for going to downtown from the suburbs, I’d do it. Why not?
This isn’t complicated. Simply present a genuinely better option than driving and other people will use it too. And that doesn’t mean artificially making cars less convenient or economical so that DART merely sucks slightly less. I’ll just do something else that has less hassle overhead.
Ziferius@reddit
There are several park and ride options in and around suburbs. The two I know of are in Carrollton and Grans Praire. However; IIRC; those lots aren’t monitored or anything…
ZarBandit@reddit
Safety doesn’t end at the parking lot.
deadlymugwort@reddit
the P&R lots in Carrollton aren't monitored 24/7 but i can vouch for them being rather frequently patrolled by both DART cops and CPD
Dick_Lazer@reddit
Driving a car around here is already far more dangerous than riding the trains in their current state.
ZarBandit@reddit
Been driving here, in NYC and NJ for decades. Pretty aggressive places. I also travel and drive in rental cars in unfamiliar cities too. Zero accidents.
I’d bet if I rode the DART daily for a decade, it wouldn’t be incident free.
NoLunchbrunch@reddit
As a woman this comment is hilarious. They absolutely will harass you after hours and I was a former daily rider.
LankyYogurtcloset0@reddit
Panhandling for money might be a bother to some. Sitting in a train car when another person has not had a chance to bathe in quite some time might be another form of bother to some.
I have had both of these experiences while riding DART trains though it doesn't happen all the time.
KennyDROmega@reddit
In hundreds of rides I've had people approach me asking for money maybe twice.
Both times it was a simple "I don't have anything for you" and they moved on.
Same thing could very easily happen just walking on the street.
mrs_absolem@reddit
I always tried to advocate for DART. I was riding to American Airlines area for Mavs games and work several times a month.
My husband always tried to dissuade me, but I would ride by myself. Until I got sexually harassed on an almost full train at 8:30am by a homeless man. I’ve also had a man try to pick pocket me and several have tried to have unwanted conversations. I’ve seen someone smoking a crack pipe at the stop right next to Parkland hospital.
I would just say “almost certainly” is a very bold statement.
rockstar504@reddit
Taking the DART made me miss most of a concert because we got stuck in a tunnel under city place with no cell service or AC for over an hour
If they want people to take the DART they need to fucking fund it but they want to kill it and are doing the opposite
miiintyyyy@reddit
I used to live in deep ellum and my old job was right off a DART stop close to the airport. The deep ellum stop felt sketchy when I tried riding the dart so I never did it again.
AdEastern3223@reddit
I ride DART consistently for about four years. I had three pretty scary incidents in those years. There are a TON of DART “police” who stare at their phones or stand around gossiping at stops but rarely get on the trains. If they actually did, it could completely change the perception of people who don’t have to ride it.
phycon55@reddit
I'm not anti train, I'm anti other people that ride the train. The trains are dirty. Very rarely is the car clean. Last time I was on the train we had a service dog, freaked some lady out so she went to the car behind us where she proceeded to beat on someone with her grocery bag of food.
Glad that golden retriever looked ferocious that evening.
Earlier in the day a terrible smelling man sat next to us and proceeded to lecture the window in an unintelligible language.
The homeless problem sucks, and needs addressed. But allowing everyone to randomly ride the train isn't the answer.
Dick_Lazer@reddit
I think it's just the car brained nature of Dallas (and r/Dallas in particular). So many posts on here complaining about traffic, parking, etc.. like there's no possible alternatives to any of this.
greelraker@reddit
You generally have to drive there and leave your car parked in an unpoliced lot. For me personally, to get downtown it’s like a 10-12 min drive to the nearest station, then another 3-4 min walk to the train, wait a few mins to make sure I catch it on time and then take 20-30 minutes to ride there. Generally on the way back the trains have stopped running to my stop after a certain time, so I either have to walk a couple miles to my car, or uber to it.
Or, I could drive the 18-20 minutes to downtown from where I live and just be there. I wish the public transportation here was better, but Dallas/DFW has the most miles of tracks of any public transportation system in the US, and yet it goes nowhere that people are or want to go.
If you live in flower mound or Plano and want to spend the day in Dallas, the train is a great option. If you live in Dallas, the train is just a headache and rarely takes you where you need to go.
I didn’t even mention the summer heat and trying to get to an event and walking 9 blocks with no covering when it’s 103 outside… until now.
mideon2000@reddit
I like listening to music and driving in my car. If i let one rip, only my wife has to suffer. Tbh, if im planning any even in downtown, im definitely adding 20ish extra bucks to the total of what i think ill spend because you will have to pay for parking downtown.
cramothmasterson@reddit
It’s further for me to get to a dart station than it is for me to drive downtown from Addison.
Tasty_Two4260@reddit
Insufficient population density to make walking and transportation efficient. Dallas is built out, not up, like a New York, a Chicago, etc and transit an afterthought rather than built into the city’s infrastructure from its foundation.
BOWBOXERLSD2017@reddit
this dude don't even live here
BitGladius@reddit
I've considered taking Dart to other places, if it's not peak traffic going station to station takes at least twice as long as driving, and it gets worse if the last mile isn't an easy walk - you'll probably double the trip length just waiting on your transfer.
Jackieray2light@reddit
You rarely see DART police or security on trains or at stations unless you are looking for them sitting in the parking lot. I ride the trains frequently, sometimes late at night and have never had a problem but I would not be comfortable with my 16, 18, or 22yo daughters riding after dark. Well maybe my 18yo, she did get into a bunch of trouble in highschool for fighting all the damn time.
Substantial-Ad-8575@reddit
Trains serve like 13-15% of DFW population…
Individual-History87@reddit
It’s also not uncommon for cars to be broken into or to be mugged at some of the train parking lots. Happens repeatedly at the lot 2 miles from my house. When I take the train, I drive twice the distance to a safer park n’ ride.
trying_to_adult_here@reddit
I live in the suburbs and take the train most of the time when I come to Dallas. I’ve taken it to the Perot before! But, as a woman who is usually traveling alone I would think really hard about taking the train by myself to the Perot or other places downtown at night, like this event was. I usually see one or two homeless people on the train and many more at the stations near the Perot, and while I think they deserve help and compassion and know most of them will leave me alone, I also don’t feel particularly safe riding the train alone at night.
gerbilshower@reddit
one of the issues with it, at night particularly, is just how few 'normal' people are using it.
so, to your point, the odds of something happening are ultimately low - if something DOES happen there is no one around to see it, stop it, call for help, etc. its just the 1 junkie in the corner and the guy accosting you.
bad situation even is odds of incident are low.
DefiantBid7@reddit
It’s not safe 👀 and don’t say I’m being certain way towards anyone - the sheer fact of the matter baseline truth is that it is not safe
Slamyul@reddit
The good news is that it is significantly safer than driving
ZarBandit@reddit
Reminder: clear out the violent criminals from inside my car.
JohnMLTX@reddit
ive been taking dart solo since i was 16 and even now as a trans person riding the last or first trains of the day, i'm fine
Rakebleed@reddit
Would that be the West End station? Because there’s your answer.
nochknock@reddit
It's actually not that close to the Perot. It's about a mile away, which in the summer heat might not be great
HotLamas@reddit
Supervised-ish, my coworker had his car stolen in that lot actually!
CarelessSuspect2110@reddit
The lot next to it is $5 for 4 hours. You don't have to walk that far.
crestedgeckovivi@reddit
I just use parking meters. Carry a few quarters dimes and nickles.
I always park at the same area(s) whether I'm going to HOB, Perot, AAA etc.
Like I have my back ups of back ups pre-planned in my head where I want to park.
Even when I had a membership to the Perot (cause I have kids lol) I usually chose parking meter unless it was raining or super midday hot and I wanted the car to be cooler etc.
Cause .50 cents etc VS $5 is still cheaper lol. (Perot museum parking is $5 for members of i remember)
I used to ride the train a lot but I have a car now and unless the weather is decent, I feel like I did my time lol.(I've seen way to much shit literally and figuratively.....)
(Though I will probably take my son on the train mid day a few times this summer while I still have a stroller. After this summer we are going to sell it.
D_Dumps@reddit
Are there meters that still take change? i thought they all switched to pay by app.
crestedgeckovivi@reddit
Yeah like the majority of them are coin And card. But it's also not expensive via the card either.
I typically have change cause Aldi and a few stores require coins etc.
Plus I pay my kid in quarters sometimes to go to school, Though he realized dollars are worth more now lol.
Cecilsan@reddit
So instead of paying $25 to park, you're now paying at least $30+
beautamousmunch@reddit
This is why I don’t go to Perot. They aren’t people that appreciate a dollar, unlike most of us unfortunately have to be. I imagine the Perots aren’t there much, but congratulations to whoever came up with these ideas. They were creative and fun.
Thursday Taps is going to be a bust now that the police will be monitoring the parking lot.
bestycoasty_@reddit
Park at the Tom Thumb parking garage next time. It’s across the street. I parked there for Mavs games dozens of times and never had an issue. It’s $10.
alphachruch@reddit
I went to Perot two years ago, when all the exhibits were working. Went again last month. It was the exact same exhibits and this time stuff was out of operation. Kinda bad to see that no changes were made to the exhibits. I understand it's a natural science museum but if you're gonna charge so much and never rotate the pieces then what's the point?
TheElPistolero@reddit
They don't get money from rotating kids exhibits , they get money from displaying Margaret Hunt's gem collection in their display hall. Her and the entire Dallas Mineral Society use that display hall as a prestige badge to brag about. The museum has a very impressive but "ugly" collection of basically the very same minerals but they sit in storage.
The exhibit hall is basically all loans, which gives the Perot 0 leverage because if you piss off one person, they'll get all their buddies to recall their pieces from the display hall. It's all part of weird grey market of gem and mineral collecting.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Update from email: got a response within a couple hours -
“Thank you for coming to Thursdays on Tap last night! The parking is $10 if you show your ticket to the lot attendant and this signage was outside the event last night. Our marketing team is double checking the copy is correct on our website and tickets so I appreciate your email. There was an event at the AAC last night that was unrelated to us and DPD responded immediately to the call from our security team about the break ins. The lot is managed by LAZ and they are aware of the issue last night and are working with DPD. No guests attending the museum event were affected by the break ins. I will pass along your feedback to LAZ.
We will refund your tickets today.
Thank you”
UnenlighteningPsi@reddit
So refreshing to see an organization take the time to genuinely look into your experience and give you a human reply....and a refund! Well done Perot.
aeroluv327@reddit
That was nice of them to refund you. Thanks for the update!
Chasqui@reddit
This is an amazing response and what used to be expected.
I am glad they are doing the right thing and that they worked quickly with DPD and LAZ.
Sometimes things go wrong. They just do. Their response makes me want to support the Perot museum.
Strong_Attempt4185@reddit
You’re not getting shit from the museum if parking is now third-party. You’d have to go after LAZ Parking… and good luck with that
Thar kind of liability is why we see the enshittification of everything to third parties. You almost never deal directly with institutions on anything anymore.
Own_Help9900@reddit
LAZ must have a certificate of insurance for that address to operate, if not they are criminally liable. OP, hit up LAZ for their liability insurance info if you suffered any damages
glitt3r_brain@reddit
Right ! I’d HOPE the Perot would be additionally insured on the LAZ COI, seeing as how they advertise that lot, but, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true.
Whether or not they (the Perot) SAY they’re liable, is one thing, the fact is, they absolutely have -some- kind of interest in what happens at that lot, and if they failed to request being named on LAZ’s insurance that is a major problem for them to have. Would hate to FAFO in the insurance world.
OP, sorry your evening left you wanting. I’ve wanted to make that Thursday night a date night since I found out about it, so I appreciate you sharing the details with us in hopes others don’t have the same disenchanting experience. I hope everything is remedied the best way possible for everyone affected.
Chasqui@reddit
Company should be held liable for the poor performance of their subcontractors.
gerbilshower@reddit
LAZ arent even a sub though. its just a convenient location 3rd party parking location. there is likely not even an existing contractual agreement with the Perot.
pandapalal@reddit
I can tell you for a fact that they are a subcontractor. The Perot also has them manage the bus/overflow parking across the museum. The only parking LAZ doesn’t manage for the museum is Parking Lot B, which is employee/special permit parking managed by the security firm they subcontract out for building security.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
If I get any response from Perot, I’ll definitely update. So far only an automated email asking me to sign up for a membership haha
rockstar504@reddit
It's bc it's not their responsibility to solve this problem for you
Beginning-Whereas-72@reddit
They still need to know for contracting purposes. Especially helpful when/if negotiating the contract.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
The Perot is amazing, and we want to support them. They did refund tickets and explained the situation and are working with DPD and LAZ about the break-ins. If a business advertises a service to use (i.e. dedicated parking lot) and people use it as instructed and something like this happens, they sure can be expected to be responsible. Was simply informing about the situation and sent them an email about what all happened from our perspective. They responded very kindly and quickly. Not an outrage, simply sharing an experience.
Pandarah@reddit
If it's stated otherwise on their website, they should absolutely be liable.
AdEastern3223@reddit
It’s pretty typical Dallas to build something ridiculously expensive then let it get run down whilst charging peak prices. It’s not surprising The Perot has become a tourist trap. I mean, it has a fracking ride - which is insane. I remember doing a contract project at the Arboretum and all the children’s garden exhibits were broken like a year after it opened. Another contractor told me the bozos running the place did something to void the warranties on the exhibits and that’s why they couldn’t get them fixed. It’s almost like these leaders should have a long term plan for all that…🤔
HauntingPlatypus8005@reddit
If you drive 200 yards past the Perot parking there is a lot of city parking on field street that's like $5.
Texadoro@reddit
Karen: “I’d like to speak to your manager.”
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
I did! And the manager was very nice!
hannahbal_lector@reddit
Just dealt with this same thing at the design district tonight, dozens of cars with windows busted.
happymancry@reddit
LAZ Parking are parasites. They do the parking “enforcement” at the Galleria mall too, and take every excuse they get to boot or tow cars.
pandapalal@reddit
The museum/LAZ raise parking prices to $25 for non visitors when there are ongoing events at the AAC or elsewhere. For visitors it’s $15. If you’re going to ToT it’s $10 if you show your tickets.
Jestem_Bassman@reddit
Hard disagree with all of this. Ride share apps and DART exist. The museum honestly has so much stuff going on that I always leave wishing there was more time. It’s a blast and a great way to spend an evening.
Alert_Accident_5662@reddit
I agree. I’ve never heard anyone complain about the Perot!
TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit
No, it costs $50 for two people to get through the doors. $62 if you both take DART. Why would you drive and park there when you have a much better alternative? It’s an 11 minute walk from West End Station.
ApocolypseJoe@reddit
Because DART isn't convenient. I have to drive just as far to my nearest station as I do to get downtown. Why waste my time?
TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit
DART is quite convenient if you live near it, and for those that don’t, driving to the nearest park and ride to their destination is preferable to navigating in the tighter conditions of downtown and paying out the ass for parking.
But yeah, if you live in Prosper or the far reaches of Dallas’ land area, it’s less compelling than being in the actual city.
ApocolypseJoe@reddit
I live just south of the Arboretum, but ok 🤣
gerbilshower@reddit
works great if you live walking distance from a station. which is like... 0.01% of the metroplex.
the other 99.99% has to drive to the station and leave their car there. most liable for a similar type of break in as occured in OP's story.
TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit
I live a 20 minute walk away from a station, or an eight minute bus ride, or a 6 minute bike ride.
There are tons of people who live in a place where transit is viable, even if you’re not one of them, but many of them have just never even considered taking transit.
gerbilshower@reddit
20m walk, 30m train ride (at best), another 15m walk.
So, over an hour to get to your destination. Or you can drive 25m.
Wonder why people drive...
TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit
47 minutes total by bike + DART, 49 total if DART with bus and train. It’s an 11 minute walk.
Yes, in off-peak traffic conditions, DART takes longer. It’s still so much less stressful than driving, and cheaper than parking in most places around there.
I drive all the time and take DART all the time. I prefer DART when it’s at all viable, and a 49 minute DART commute versus 25 minutes by car is comparable to me.
Would you rather do a wall sit for 25 minutes or spend 49 minutes sitting in a comfy chair? Time is important but not the only factor.
YaGetSkeeted0n@reddit
lol right, hell I trust a private parking lot over a DART parking lot vis a vis break-ins (but just barely)
Sqk7700@reddit
Do you want all the reasons why public transit sucks in Dallas?
bratbats@reddit
I take DART nearly every day (6 days a week) and it doesn't suck enough to where I think people should actively avoid it and instead rip their hair out online ranting about parking costs and availability.
Hole_Milk_222@reddit
it’s literally not that bad. the homeless leave me alone and i’ve NEVER had an incident on DART. i’ve been taking transit here since 2018.
bratbats@reddit
Totally agree. I mean, I don't really know what people expect at this point.
The trains are generally pretty clean (I sometimes see minor incidents of a spill, stray soda bottle, or something), they have working AC and heat, and they generally have enough seats/room to accommodate all passengers. Occasionally you'll run into someone who stinks or is a little too loud but people 9/10 times mind their business and I've never had any problems with crime. Just disruptive behavior a few times.
For 3-6 bucks (I have reduced fare) for a day ticket, it's not that bad. Been taking the DART several times a week if not near daily since 2022, and not just at peak times and even sometimes after dark. I feel much safer taking the DART to late night events than driving and parking in a pitch black, unmonitored parking lot.
Alert_Ad_694@reddit
even my sister who doesn't like riding the train alone has no problems taking the bus, where she lives now is on the 3 line, and is a short walk to the bus that goes to Fair Park, so she uses it to get downtown or to Uptown or Fair Park for events/the Fair
I think most people who are scared of the train would be much more comfortable using the bus, but unfortunately the bus has a negative reputation and requires (very slightly) more human interaction with the bus driver and having to request for your stop when it approaches, which many see as a negative even though it is significantly more chill
bratbats@reddit
Ehhh personally as an autistic person I don't like the bus because its frequently late and requires me to pay far more attention to my route, where as the train is always the same and almost always on time consistently. But yeah I agree just my personal 2 cents!
Alert_Ad_694@reddit
I'm an ADHDer so I am always on the verge of missing a stop from not paying attention lol. But using the Transit App (which has real time location data and built in customizable alerts) makes it easy for me to zone out on the bus. Plus if I miss a stop on the bus, the next stop is usually still walking distance to where I was going.Ive missed my stop on the train multiple times and that just throws my whole trip up in the air.
I definitely agree that the lack of consistency in timeliness is less than ideal though, it sucks when the bus arrives on time but then due to some confounding factor or something it arrives to your stop 10 minutes late
Hole_Milk_222@reddit
yes dude! one time, at west end, there was a shooting (more like just 1 shot) at the mcdonald’s, like 4 different plains clothes police officers ran over there to help with the situation. DART does its best with an ever growing city.
bratbats@reddit
Yeah West End is pretty rough re: crime. But I've never had any issues going through there on the train. They have people stationed there because of the amount of incidents. As long as you have common sense, headphones, and don't start shit with people, nobody will even give you a second look.
TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit
Do you really think a man called “Take a Train or Bus For Fuck’s Sake” isn’t on public transit in Dallas all the goddamn time?
I’ve been on the train when someone got jumped. I’ve seen crazies. I’ve been on there when people smoke and played loud music. I’ve been at train sketchy stations late at night. I’ve had buses and trains not show up, and had a GoLink vehicle leave me stranded in the rain. I’ve seen everything there is to see short of a straight up murder or derailment or whatever.
And here I am shilling for it as hard as I can, because I believe in it. The vast majority of my trips have been pleasant, and those that weren’t were still preferable to risking my life on our increasingly violent roads with these sick people who have no business driving. I’ve seen DART making the strides to make it better, and I know that our future is either transit-oriented or we’re going to be a miserable, failed region.
Public transit gets better when more people use it. It becomes safer and gets more investment when we all ride. Safety in numbers, political will, and so on.
No offense, but I know more than you.
Sincerely,
Take a train or bus for fuck’s sake.
Chasqui@reddit
Public transportation or traffic. Pick your poison. In Dallas neither are great. I know I’d like to see public transportation fastly improved. Incidentally, that would also improve the traffic situation!
Sqk7700@reddit
I took DART to work everyday when I lived downtown. It was nice to not have to drive but the amount of people not being respectful of the communal space got old. And it doubles travel time.
To get to Perot from my house now would either be 20min by car, or 1 hour and 40min by DART. In this scenario a round trip would add almost 2.5 hours to my travel time. Not worth it.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Well that would assume also getting to the station, and not everyone is coming from the same location. Also adding in that I was in some nicer clothes for a date and last night was 89 degrees with disgusting humidity, so an 11 minute walk would have had me a sweaty mess showing up to impress… Alternatives means we have a choice and I chose the advertised “ease of parking” in the lot that was advertised to use by Perot Museum attendees. Would love amazing public transport, but I saw $10 parking on the emailed ticket and went with that.
TakeATrainOrBusFFS@reddit
Fair enough. The humidity is a bitch, isn’t it?
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Waited by the event entrance waiting for people to show up, maybe 5-7 minutes… drenched haha Dallas humidity has been off the charts last couple weeks
MemoryOfRagnarok@reddit
Another consequence of having the entirety of Dallas homeless population in downtown
mannybegaming@reddit
Hear me out…. It’s a setup…. And parking employees sell info to smash and grabbers then walk away
Crooked_crosses@reddit
I attended last night as well. The parking attendant asked where we were going and when we said Pero they charged us $10, so not sure why you were charged more. Here’s the crazy thing. We left around 9pm and I remember specifically talking to my daughter (23) about always looking around and being aware of your surroundings. We saw nothing, very quiet lot so it must have happened right after I love the museum and mostly go for the dinosaurs and gems, both of which are spectacular. I too thought it was a tad high entrance fee but enjoyed the evening. Sorry for your experience
nhl94roenick@reddit
You're under the impression that companies that own inner-city parking lots are financially responsible for vehicle break-ins? They'd be run out of business by legal fees. You don't live on that planet, and you're shit-out-of-luck.
You didn't "pay for security", you paid for parking.
OldMcMittens@reddit
Thank you so much for posting. These are all the real things I’d like to know because I haven’t been but have been interested.
Texy@reddit
The parking is $10 for museum visitors and $25 for everyone else during Thursdays on Tap, but you have to tell the attendant what event you are going to and show them your ticket
MoonerMade@reddit
My experience goes with their email reply to you. We pulled up to the parking attendant expecting to pay $25 like the sign said, and they only charged me $10 which was a nice surprise. I’ve been to a couple of these events now and they’ve always been fun, but after you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it. That said, they did have a pretty spectacular T Rex exhibit last time we went.
Tohac42@reddit
That’s a valid point. If we are paying for parking do we have a reasonable expectation of security? Can ppl sue LAZ Parking for negligence since they did take a payment?
darkpaladin@reddit
I'm pretty sure they have signs all over that lot saying they're not liable for theft.
Tohac42@reddit
lol like the 18 wheelers that say “not liable for debris” on the back? Thats really just saying “we are highly liable for this, the sign just reduces any settlements”
ELECTRICMACHINE13@reddit
The security team hired someone with criminal friends and told them it would be an easy job. Plain and simple. I'm sorry this happened to you.
SueSudio@reddit
“The kids running the entrance were sitting with headphones on, talking on the phone and just held out a card reader to pay. Not great.”
This is a red flag for me, honestly, regarding how I should weigh this review. I personally have a very low bar for service level requirements of a parking lot payment transaction.
If they take my money and I get in I consider that five stars.
llort_tsoper@reddit
Nobody should expect their parking lot attendant to act like a security guard.
They're job is to let people into the lot, take their money and let them out of the lot. In order to do this job they have to stay within eye sight of the entrance at all times. This would preclude them from even being able to patrol the lot.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Well this lot seems specific for those venues, as they have posted signage with “Perot” and “AAC” on them, with automated gates for entrance and exit and multiple people working the lot. Seemed as though the lot is/should be well protected.
llort_tsoper@reddit
I would expect the parking lot attendant to take my money, let me into the lot and let me out of the lot. And nothing else.
I would expect the Perot to have security present at their event. I would expect the security to primarily be focused on protecting the people attending the event. So I would expect to see security guards in the venue, near the entrance to the venue, maybe at the crosswalk between the parking lot and the venue.
I would not expect the Perot or LAZ to pay for a security guard to patrol a parking lot that is mostly devoid of people. If that is what you expect when you pay $25 to park your car, my friend you are setting yourself up for repeated disappointment.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Sadly, lesson learned.. looks as though it was $10 for parking there if you were attending the Perot. But still a bummer that people got into that lot with a gated entrance and still hit all those trucks.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Agreed, it felt odd right away, and the “tickets” they gave out were valet stubs that didn’t have any wording that a usual “lot ticket” would have. Scary to know that the group of people that did this had to have known of the event and possibly the lack of security in the lot.
EpikJustice@reddit
You might want to re-read their comment. They were saying it was a red flag for the legitimacy of your review.
Also, just want to say that unfortunately, parking lot theft like you experienced is not an uncommon crime in DFW. It doesn't really take much forethought, planning or coordination. A criminal or group of criminals can use a ceramic window glass breaker to break windows very quickly. A criminal could smash & grab 10+ cars in less than 5 minutes and then drive off - even if the gate attendant noticed the crimes immediately and called the police, the criminal can easily be gone before the police arrive.
A restaurant I worked at (in the northern burbs) had this happen, where around 15 cars in the parking lot were broken into and had items stolen. This was in a parking lot where you had customers actively coming & going, and restaurant windows open to the parking lot, and it was noticed very quickly - but the criminal was gone before the police got there.
It sounds like your car didn't actually get broken into though? That's fortunate, at least.
SpecialMud6084@reddit
Take dart next time
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Oh nice thanks, wish someone else would have mentioned that!
newname0110@reddit
There’s one lot that’s “official museum parking” and then another one right next to it that’s LAZ. Not sure if the one directly across from the museum is LAZ.
I parked in the LAZ lot two weeks ago and had no issues, though it was 10am not 10pm.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Looks like it was bad timing for the LAZ lot, as they were sharing with AAC event last night (Lil Baby concert) so that’s why people got hit. Previous comments nailed it I think, hitting trucks looking for weapons. Terrifyingly makes sense
Rory_B_Bellows@reddit
What exhibits were broken? I was there at the last one and everything worked fine except for the fracking simulator that's been offline for years. Did some kids smash up the place in the last month?
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Several touch screens weren’t registering any touches or just turned off (maybe on a timer for daily use), most of all the remote robotics don’t respond or controllers were definitely broken up quite a bit, bird flight simulator was working great so lot of people up there. Seems like it may have been ones kids have gotten to and abused some. I’m sure they’ll get those repaired though!
texasnebula@reddit
So take an uber, got it.
spongyguy24@reddit
I've seen a couple of these 'attacks' first hand and spoken to one of the targeted truck owners. Both times it was only trucks.
Extremely wishful thinking, but hopefully this is some vigilante advocating for smaller, safer vehicles.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
That was a thought that crossed my mind haha long way round to advocate
Recent_Opinion_9692@reddit
PwC used to have their holiday parties there… it’s a shame
MsMo999@reddit
Was it just trucks with busted windows no cars?
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
That’s the crazy part! We checked our cars immediately and saw that it was only trucks that all got hit. All were rear door windows, one completely taken out, items stolen from some. We felt terrible all these other people also on date nights or just out with friends having to wait in line to file reports with the police there.
noncongruent@reddit
I wonder if the thieves thought that truck owners were more likely to have guns and to leave them in the truck? Finding a gun is probably the high point of car burglars since guns can easily be sold for quite a bit of money to those who can't buy from an FFL.
YaGetSkeeted0n@reddit
If I were a thief I’d go for trucks first, especially any that have a bunch of gun or 2A related bumper stickers.
Giant_Yoda@reddit
They're looking for guns probably (and will take anything of value while inside). Trucks are more likely to have them and the front windows are often laminated and won't break.
MsMo999@reddit
How very odd
Lonely_Refuse4988@reddit
I hate parking near downtown/uptown! 🤣😂 Is DART to Victory Station an option? I usually try to take Green line into downtown area.
CarelessSuspect2110@reddit
Pro tip. The lot next to it is $5 for 4 hours. I work at House of Blues next door to Perot. It's always open. Idk why people park over there.
On another note. What you're saying makes no sense to me because I drove by that parking lot at 10:30 last night and there were no police anywhere nearby. Did they clear it up and leave soon after?
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
I followed what the Perot advertised us to do, and for the advertised $10, sounded like a great deal. I don’t go to downtown with my own vehicle much at all, but for it to have a specific lot for the event at a decent price, it wasted choice. We left the event when it ended at 10, got to our cars minutes later and there were already lines of people waiting to do reports. I was out of the lot a couple minutes after that. Not sure how long their reports took so it may have been cleared up quickly.
superdeedapper@reddit
that sounds really shitty, sorry that happened to you.
however, both the Perot and the parking company aren't going to reimburse you for anything. they are going to refer you to your car insurance, if you are insured against vandalism/theft.
salsa_verde_doritos@reddit
Interesting, we went a few months ago and had a great time, recommend to everyone.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
It’s a great event, was suggested to it from other friends who have gone in the past. But maybe things are starting to slip, gotta update exhibits and hopefully more security.
StSphinx@reddit
Man I just saw a video this week about it! I’m sorry your experience was bad :(
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Lots seem to get hit quite a bit during events, but that sucks that this was a new event (happened last night). Still think this lot should have been patrolled as it’s directly linked with Perot and advertised on their site and event tickets.
Footspork@reddit
Looks like someone copy and pasted from years previous. Did the lot / company have a number to call? Did you call someone from the Perot? Getting someone on the phone is the quickest way to get anything done these days it seems.
Also, I’d say what I think we should do to people who break into cars but it would get [Removed by Reddit].
Sorry you had a bad experience; those have usually been nice evenings but the exhibits are for like… children. I just like the shiny rocks and dinosaur bones I guess.
I would never park in one of those lots, for future reference. Grab a legit spot in a garage downtown and Uber/walk. Costs less and isn’t as prone to crime.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Definitely not copy and paste. I’ve emailed over my ticket info and my thoughts about the night to the museum help line. So I’m currently waiting to see if there is any response. I’ve been to the Perot before, years ago, and assumed there would be somewhat new exhibits, but sadly there weren’t. It’s still a great idea for an event, and I love to support the place, but what all happened just didn’t add up to the face value. And for them to advertise the ease of parking in their dedicated lot steps away from the entrance, just feel terrible for all those paying people having to stay late and file reports with police after a late night.
MapPuzzleheaded4983@reddit
I went a few weeks ago and also noticed the difference between parking price on the website and when we actually got there. I am wondering now if that is the member price. We ended up parking behind El Fenix though so I think it was around the same price lol. The museum was crowded but manageable and didn't notice exhibits not working.
navelez8911@reddit (OP)
Interesting, I’ll have to check my account, the only words I got from the parking attendant were “what are you here for?” And then held out the card reader. This was for a date and the crowds weren’t bad at all, chatted which a couple nice people all around, but we had several others also notice displays didn’t work or interactive exhibits were broken or just turned off.
SockeyeSnow@reddit
When I went back in April, the sign said $25 but they only charged $10 after checking my admission tickets.
stiff_peaks@reddit
This was my experience as well. We went on the same night as one of the stars games and they were charging $25 for people attending the stars game and $10 for people attending the Perot.
ChilliWilli214@reddit
Honestly, this sounds like ANY event in dallas. Too expensive with shitty parking and the experience very meh, and u come home feeling ripped off.
Flembot4@reddit
LAZ parking is the worst. They creep up prices and it’s outlandish. They suck.
bromosabeach@reddit
Why are people so anti taking trains in Dallas? Honest question as I don’t live there but visit for family. But I remember there is a train like a block away from this place. That would have immediately saved you parking.
I remember being there and the people I stayed with lived like two blocks from a train station and they refused to ever take it. Instead they drove us everwhere and bitched about parking.
SamHenryCliff@reddit
Fair criticism and though it’s a case study of one, I think you touch on a few real considerations potential visitors should keep in mind. Personally I have a hard time with outright disappointment where I can understand “life is complicated” and my expectations may need adjusting…but compounding “nah this isn’t right” elements take a toll. Thanks for sharing and being reasonable in your description.