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Jun 10, 2008 7:43 pm US/Central
Increased DART Ridership Creates Parking Problem
Marianne Martinez
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
With gas prices pushing $4.00 a gallon, more commuters are using DART. In turn, the parking spots at the DART Park and Ride lots are becoming precious commodities.
Commuters said they have to change their morning routines to find a spot.
"It's added a lot of extra time to my day," said commuter Claudia Dwyer. "I have to get up earlier, come park. I have to put my makeup on in the car because if I wait and do my normal routine, I can't find a parking place."
Dwyer parks her vehicle at the lot off of Parker Road, one of DART's busiest. DART has plans to expand parking there and at the Bush Turnpike stop, but construction will take several months. DART has also added capacity to its trains.
"It's kind of like vulchers, circling around there and then they follow people out," Dwyer said. "I've actually seen people get into fights over parking spots."
Some drivers are also forced to park in spots farther away. Bess Banks parks her car at a Kohl's department store about half a mile away from the Parker Road station.
"It's far, especially right now in the heat," Banks said.
DART officials suggest using lots that are less crowded. For more information about alternate parking lots visit
DART.org.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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