A new commuting option is on the horizon for those Legacy employees that live to the west, and it’s pretty exciting. The Silver Line is the newest addition to DART’s light rail network. And, unlike the existing lines that run to or through downtown Dallas, it will act as an east-west 'cross-town route' connecting Plano to DFW Airport and serving six other cities in the northern part of the metroplex along the way. Scheduled to begin service in late 2022, the Silver Line will originate at DFW Airport and have stops in Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Addison, North Dallas, Richardson, and at Shiloh Road in Plano. Created with commuters in mind (with amenities like WiFi, comfortable seats, and vehicles designed for smooth acceleration and deceleration at stops), the trains are expected to run every 30 minutes during peak commuting hours, and every 60 minutes off-peak. The two stations in Plano are on the east side near the intersection of Highway 75 and the President George Bush Turnpike, folks traveling to Legacy will need to make one transfer (but, it’s a pretty easy one). Travelers will hop off at the Addison Transit Center and catch either the 183 or the 347, which both terminate at the Northwest Plano Park and Ride in Legacy. And it’s certainly possible that as the launch date for the service draws near, the good folks at DART will introduce new routes and options to make it even easier. One of the goals of the Silver Line is to directly connect the fast-growing communities - people living and working - in the northern part of DART’s service area. There are already thousands (8,100) of people commuting most days from Tarrant County to Collin County. That number is expected to continue growing. As more and more people choose to live in the mid-cities and beyond, and to work in Plano, traffic and congestion on existing roadways will continue to get worse. And currently, there isn’t a really good alternative to driving yourself. But that’s about to change.
What if you live west of the airport? Like, say Fort Worth? Well, you’re in luck. Fort Worth’s commuter rail service, TEXRail, will connect with the Silver Line at the airport. The current configuration would require passengers to disembark and switch trains, but officials are working on a solution that would allow the trains to use each other’s rails, with the goal of passengers being able to take ‘one-seat, one-train’ back and forth from Fort Worth to Plano. All in all, the service holds great promise for those Legacy employees commuting in from the west who are looking for new ways to save some money, get back some relaxation or productive time, or simply avoid the snarl of traffic on their way to the office. Because there really is something satisfying about whooshing right by gridlock from the comfort of your seat on the train.