After a lightning strike, Dallas Area Rapid Transit has terminated train services into downtown on two of its lines.
A lightning strike damaged signal equipment near EBJ Union Station, near Reunion Tower, DART announced at 9:35 a.m. on November 20, prompting the agency to terminate service on Red and Blue Line trains at EBJ Union Station and SMU/Mockingbird Station.
Passengers at EBJ Union Station will board shuttle buses to continue to downtown Dallas, while passengers at SMU/Mockingbird Station will board the Orange Line train or regular bus service to continue downtown, according to the service alert.
“Thank you for your patience,” the alert reads.
The Dallas Express reached out to DART, but did not hear back in time for publication.
DART users across Dallas went on social media to vent their frustrations.
“I’m about to lose $30 in lost wages because of this,” wrote one user, who goes by Austin Waldrop. “I’m leaving on time. Dart is the one making me so late this week and it’s getting frustrating.”
Another user, who goes by Angie Collins, said earlier this morning she was stuck on the train.
“We had to pull the emergency handle to open the door,” she wrote. “The trains started moving and I hopped on another one not knowing it was an issue and now we stuck again.”
A DART update posted at noon advised that all rail passengers may experience delays due to the lightning strike as well as ongoing inclement weather conditions, and encouraged riders to allow additional travel time for connections. The alert notice added that DART is working to rectify the situation as quickly and safely as possible.
Texans have been bracing for storms, with potential for hail and flooding, starting November 20 through the rest of the week, as The Dallas Express reported. Gov. Greg Abbott activated emergency response resources in advance. According to NBC DFW, a flood watch is in place until the morning of November 21, with meteorologists expecting 2 to 4 inches of rain.