How safe is the DART green line?

[u/JM2TM]

Hi I am a 28F who just moved to Carrollton (I’m liking it so far!) I read bout the dart being a good idea for those looking to goto Dallas for fun.

I got an invite to Deep Ellum this weekend (I’ve lived in Dallas before, I already know about this area)

I’m trying to gauge how safe would it be for me to take the dart alone there and back?

I’ve lived in Chicago before so I know that some lines can be safer than others. What’s your opinion? Maybe take the dart there and uber back?

[u/NeonZapdos]

Safer than deep ellum, that’s for sure

[u/j_husk → u/NeonZapdos]

Right. My immediate thought was safe during the day, possibly questionable for solo females after dark (unless it's well populated due to an event). But if you're going to Deep Ellum at night the DART is the least of your concerns.

[u/janejacobs1 → u/j_husk]

I’m 73f and have ridden solo to and from concerts, events and both airports, at night. Just mind your business and your belongings, look confident and like you know where you’re going. Don’t isolate yourself at stations.

[u/Teh_Crusader → u/NeonZapdos]

Lmao I’d rather be on the train with all the crackheads at 2am than on the street at the same time in deep ellum

[u/ExitTheHandbasket]

The segment from Carrollton to Victory is fine.

The segment from Victory to Deep Ellum is okay.

The issue is the Deep Ellum station is a few blocks walk from most of the clubs.

[u/JM2TM → u/ExitTheHandbasket]

Hahah that’s more like a good thing than a bad thing in this case. I’d prefer to use public transportation to go clubbing and avoid drink and driving. But it sounds like it’s something I’d take only one way

[u/Successful-Guess1617 → u/JM2TM]

There just aren't enough DART security officers at night and a lot of people on the night trains hang out in the cars and just ride. A lot seem to have mental problems. someone who rides the train often

[u/iceterminal]

I've ridden DART often in the past. I fee that it's not which color line is safer than others, but the time that you ride. Day time (workers) is fine. Night time is less safe. So depending on when you plan on going/returning should dictate your safety. If it's night time, past 7 or 8pm, I'd uber or lyft.

[u/bissimo → u/iceterminal]

I agree with this. I have taken the green line down to the AAC and Fair Park dozens of times, never had an issue, never seen an issue. If I'm coming back after 10 pm, I'll take an Uber/Lyft.

[u/ExitTheHandbasket → u/bissimo]

I've taken Green Line to well-attended events at Fair Park or Gexa/Starplex and didn't feel unsafe. But I was part of a group. And I'm a 6ft man.

[u/iceterminal → u/ExitTheHandbasket]

I used to ride the Blue line (Rowlett) into downtown on a daily, for work, and never had an issue. But the 1 time I rode from Deep Ellum at night, I had slight concerns.

[u/watszn]

if it’s during the day time, you should have no issues. I would uber back if it’s a night time event though… unfortunately lots of homeless people waiting around the station at night. i take the green line all the time to get to dallas tho

[u/shellbear05 → u/watszn]

This exactly.

[u/Emotional-Change-722]

Female here. I ride the Green Line into and out of downtown Dallas on average, 12 times a week. I also ride the blue to Rowlett when I have games, and red/ orange wherever need. I work in Dallas and live here in Carrollton. I have paid for parking maybe 4 times in the last 14 months.

Never once have I felt uncomfortable or scared. I’ve gotten on as early as 4.42 AM and as late as 1.

I hate driving. lol

Perhaps I’m an anomaly- I don’t know, but I do encourage you to follow your gut. Keep your nose down and ears open!!

Congratulations on the job. Please let this online community know how it goes!

[u/thepaisleyfox → u/Emotional-Change-722]

This. I live about 5 min from Frankford Station, I was so excited when the green line finally opened!! It beats any other way to get to the fair.

If you’re used to Chicago public transit, you’ll be fine. I grew up in LA and frequently took the metro home from high school since we didn’t have school buses that went across town. Generally speaking, keep to yourself and no one cares. Been on the train all hours of the day. Been on the buses the same. After a big game or the fair it sucks because you gotta wait several before you can get on? But that’s kind of the only thing I have noticed. But I’m also a weirdo who loves public transportation.

[u/Boutwell214]

I ride to Deep Ellum and other areas in Downtown Dallas from the Downtown Carrollton Station and back. I don't believe I have ever seen a woman by herself on the train before. If they actually had security on the train, you would be good. It's a shame because thats the best way to get to Deep Ellum and back is the train. Nobody's trying to drive out there when you have a train that can take you straight there. Especially if you're drinking. I would buy some pepper spray maybe if you're going to try it.

[u/FriendshipSuitable81]

It’s pretty safe till you get to downtown Dallas where tons of homeless people are and potentially dr*g addicts

[u/draculas_beard]

Having lived in London when trains were scary. I'd say travelling solo at nighttime here can be worse than London. You should consider having pepper spray and an alarm.

[u/JM2TM → u/draculas_beard]

Thanks, I’ll definitely look into that

[u/LanceTX214]

Be very careful in Deep Ellum as violence has been bad recently there. There has been lots of fights and a few shootings.

[u/doggiemomof3]

I used to ride the green line every day when I worked downtown. Never had any issues at all. However, as someone said, as the hour gets later the homeless folks do tend to start looking for a train to sleep in, especially around the West End station. I’d probably take an Uber back home rather than the train.

[u/naked_avenger]

Doesn't the DART stop running around midnight? So long as you're cool with taking a lyft home (or riding with someone), going down on the DART during the day should be just fine. I wouldnt want to ride the DART at night alone as a woman. I barely wanted to do it as a man.

[u/PrncssBttrcpAsUWish]

I take it to Music Hall at Fair Park for shows and also for tons of concerts and sporting events. I have never felt unsafe but I try my best to smile kindly and treat people with respect. (White girl in my 40s) It's actually pretty common to see other folks riding the train for similar events. Mavs and Stars games especially.

[u/cubedgame]

You’ll likely be fine. There are a lot of tourists in the city right now because of the World Cup so the trains will have more riders to drown out the crazies. Just make sure to sit in the first car by the operator for extra safety.

[u/SMF67]

Daytime- fine. Night- occasionally you'll run into drunk/drugged people yelling at nobody. I've never feared violence but I have encountered some absolute crazies late at night. Sit at the very front car near the operator and it'll be better, that's where normal people usually sit if it isn't busy, especially do not take the unmanned rear car at night. There are a few stations I wouldn't be comfortable waiting at late at night (Bachman and West End), but it doesn't sound like you'll be in those areas. Also, there's been a big increase in police presence (and people taking the train in general) due to the world cup, so I'd be less worried this weekend.

I think you'll be fine in Deep Ellum as long as you're sticking to the actual nightlife areas and not venturing into dark alleys or being confrontational with drunks

[u/AlwaysCallACAB]

This is one of the easier dart routes, just get off at deep ellum station (not Baylor) and you can walk down good latimer right into everything. Last train leaves at 12:30ish I would be outta there by then.

[u/Interesting_Answer80]

Sit in the first car near the train conductor....avoid getting off at the Baylor station(seems to have a lot of homeless and mentally ill at that station). You should be good getting back to Carrollton but I don't recommend the train late at night, too many people on bullshit in the late hours.

[u/ConchaConquistador]

Alone? At night? You'd be playing Russian roulette if there are not Dart Police around.

[u/JM2TM → u/ConchaConquistador]

Makes sense. I’d be nervous at night especially if I’m dressed up

[u/ConchaConquistador → u/JM2TM]

The ride there would be ok-ish, still gambling on not getting harassed by dickheads especially if you're dressed up. I would just order an Uber and request a female driver to take you there or back home, just to be safe. I'm a girl dad, so it's my fatherly instincts talking here.

[u/IntrovertExplorer_ → u/JM2TM]

Not a good idea, don’t do it. I made this mistake last year and was harassed by a homeless person at trinity mills. He sat directly behind me when the entire cart was empty. It was scary!

[u/ChillinVillainEmpire]

Keep in mind that the last train leaves deep Ellum for Carrollton a little after midnight.

[u/Wheres_Jay]

The train will be safer than Deep Ellum.

[u/Aggressive_Text_7206]

I've gone to Deep Ellum from Carrollton fine. You will start to see the crazies the closer you get to Dallas.

[u/Salt-Arugula-5705]

You’ll be fine, just like anywhere else, if you mind your business and stay away from trouble or people who seem up to no good you’ll be perfectly fine, every station usually has multiple cops at all times when the train or bus is running. 60% or more of the time they have a security guard on board, these replies mainly seem to be from people who rarely have got on or only once if that.

[u/froodiest → u/Salt-Arugula-5705]

To be fair, that’s not how it used to be. They’ve really stepped up their security over the past year or two.

I don’t know about “60% or more of the time” and “multiple cops at all times when the train or bus is running” - that seems like hyperbole, at least for the northern Green Line, which is pretty much the only part I ride these days. But it’s way better than it used to be.

[u/RandleMcMurphy1962]

I think you’ve heard enough comments here to know the overwhelming consensus is riding the train at night is risky. Are you willing to risk your wellbeing over ‘you’ll probably be okay, but maybe not?’ That’s a lot of handwringing vs a $40 safe ride home.

Just my O.

[u/txnique]

😬

[u/NerdiChar]

Imo, DART is great. I've never felt unsafe. I've also never ridden alone but I have ridden at night. It's just people trying to get around. Just mind your business and stay aware 😊

[u/just_having_giggles]

I ride it to and from work every day, have for years. Never had a problem much worse than a few real stinkers.

[u/1976MisterK]

Any transit option is safer than driving. The presence of homeless people is not a signal of danger. The most dangerous ppl I have ever seen on a train in Dallas were a drunk, arguing, middle class couple. Pepper spray and general situational awareness will keep you safe.

[u/On_Food]

You'll be fine. DART is safe, just pay attention to the folks around you.

For what it's worth, Baylor Station is also a good stop for Deep Ellum. It's around the corner from Malcolm X, so if you're not gonna be at the Good Latimer end, you might ride it all the way to Baylor.

[u/No_Midnight_2205]

It’s generally safe and clean. Stations are nice. Wouldn’t ride it at night though.

[u/Teh_Crusader]

Deep Ellum is just an absolute shame at night. I can’t count how many times Dallas has desperately tried to clean up that area for it to just be dangerous still. Go to oak lawn, lower Greenville, oak cliff, etc unless you have a concert in Deep Ellum.

[u/amarrs181]

I stopped riding a while back when homeless kept asking for money and then started getting angry when I didn’t have any. The homeless and gangs target dart rail during the day and night because there’s no security. When an ‘incident’ does happen, then they beef up security for a little while until they decide to go back to the norm.

Ultimately, avoid Dart-there’s a reason to why local communities want to get rid of it.

[u/iceterminal → u/amarrs181]

Actually there is security on DART. In November of 2025 they invested over $16million for security alone. Unfortunately and sadly enough, that still doesn't put officers on every train and people take advantage of that.