Author: Laura Hanna

When the weather turns cold, keeping the rails from freezing is an important safety measure. Individual containers, known as smudge pots, are lit to produce heat beneath the rail. In weather conditions that involve moisture and near-freezing temperatures, it’s important to generate heat to keep rain or sleet from freezing on the switch points that enable a train to shift to a different track as needed. This safety measure is not needed when the weather is cold and dry.

Use of smudge pots is a common practice in warmer climates. Both Trinity Metro TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express are utilizing smudge pots during this week’s inclement weather.

Travelers who want to avoid traffic hassles when heading to DFW Airport this holiday season have an easy option – ride Trinity Metro TEXRail for only $2. With a new schedule that offers 30-minute frequency throughout the majority of the day, riders have convenient options for meeting flight times.

Plus, five of the TEXRail stations – three in Fort Worth and two in North Richland Hills – have designated long-term parking for only $5 a day. Stations in Fort Worth with long-term parking are Fort Worth T&P Station, North Side Station and Mercantile Center Station. In addition, North Richland Hills/Iron Horse Station and North Richland Hills/Smithfield Station also offer long-term parking. Customers can make reservations and payments in the Ace Parking app on Apple or GooglePlay devices.

Many news stories highlighted the traffic jams at the airport aro und the Thanksgiving holiday. With TEXRail, riders arrive at Terminal B and have easy access to other terminals.

Trinity Metro is celebrating the holiday season by hosting a Toys for Tots drive on Monday, Dec. 16, at North Richland Hills/Smithfield Station. Trinity Metro staff and U.S. Marines will be on hand to collect new, unwrapped toys from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. to make it easy for commuters to drop of their donations on the way to ride Trinity Metro TEXRail.

This is the third year that Trinity Metro has supported Toys for Tots through internal toy drives for agency employees and through public events. Stop by the station for fun, entertainment and hot chocolate!

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was started in 1991 to help the U.S. Marine Corps provide a sign of hope for economically disadvantaged children at Christmas.

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Nov. 25, 2024 — Trinity Metro is taking bold steps to meet the growing demand for its highly successful TEXRail service. With over 3 million riders since its launch in December 2019, TEXRail continues to grow as a critical transportation option for North Texas. To support this success and prepare for the future, Trinity Metro has announced the addition of four new Stadler DMU FLIRT vehicles to its fleet, with delivery expected in 2027.

The fleet expansion comes as Trinity Metro increases midday train service to 30-mi nute intervals, doubling frequency and enhancing convenience for riders. This forward-looking investment ensures that Trinity Metro’s TEXRail is ready to serve the needs of Tarrant County’s residents and visitors for years to come.

“TEXRail’s remarkable success underscores its vital role in North Texas’ transportation network,” said Rich Andreski, President and CEO of Trinity Metro. “This fleet expansion builds on that success as we work toward creating a world-class transportation system that not only meets the needs of today but also drives innovation, economic growth, and connectivity for the future.”

The new trains will complement the original TEXRail FLIRT fleet, which was assembled under the Buy America Act and put into service in 2019. Since then, Trinity Metro TEXRail has become a trusted transportation option for trips to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, events and commuting, with several trains already surpassing 500,000 miles of reliable service.

“Demand for TEXRail continues to rise, and these new train sets will enable us to maintain high service standards while accommodating more riders,” said Reed Lanham, Vice President of Rail for Trinity Metro. “With the recent service enhancements and the upcoming extension to the Medical District, we’re focused on providing an exceptional experience for our customers.”

The Stadler DMU FLIRT vehicles, known for their efficiency and reliability, are designed to deliver consistent performance in diverse climates worldwide. The original TEXRail fleet was the first U.S.-based project for Stadler US, establishing a strong partnership between the two organizations.

“We have a strong partnership with Trinity Metro, that goes back to 2016. The TEXRail project was the first project Stadler US got to assemble on US soil from start to finish,” said Martin Ritter, CEO Stadler US Inc. “We’re honored that Trinity Metro has placed their trust in us once again to expand their current fleet of Stadler vehicles even further.”

With more trains, expanded service, and a vision for continued growth, Trinity Metro and TEXRail are paving the way for an even brighter future for public transportation in North Texas.

About Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that strives to be the preferred choice for simple, safe, and innovative mobility services in Tarrant County. The agency offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region, providing passenger trips on buses, Trinity Metro TEXRail, Trinity Metro On-Demand rideshare services, Fort Worth Bike Sharing, vanpools and Trinity Railway Express. TRE, a 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated by Trinity Metro and DART, operates between Fort Worth and Dallas. Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of Trinity Metro TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B. Trinity Metro was created in 1983 as a regional transportation authority of the State of Texas. The governing body is an 11-member board of directors with eight appointed by the Fort Worth City Council and three by Tarrant County Commissioners Court.

About Stadler

Stadler has been building trains for over 80 years. The provider of mobility solutions in rail vehicle construction, service and signalling has its headquarters in Bussnang in eastern Switzerland. It has a workforce of around 14,500 based in various production and engineering locations as well as more than 80 service locations. The company is conscious of its social responsibility for sustainable mobility and therefore stands for innovative, sustainable and durable quality products. The product range in the field of mainline railways and city transport includes high-speed trains, intercity trains, regional and suburban trains, metros, tramways and trams. Stadler also manufactures main-line locomotives, shunting locomotives and passenger carriages. It is the world’s leading manufacturer in the rack-and-pinion rail vehicle industry.

 

Media contacts:

Trinity Metro

Laura Hanna

Director of Communications

817-215-8973

Laura.Hanna@RideTM.org

 

Stadler US Inc.

Charlotte Thalhammer

Marketing and Communication Manager

Phone: +1 385 394 1921

E-mail: charlotte.thalhammer@stadlerrail.com

 

 

 

Trinity Metro’s bike sharing team has been hard at work with plans to roll out a new service in early January 2025. Over the last few weeks, the team has been removing bike stations and phasing out Fort Worth Bike Sharing, which has now ceased operations.

“We have been keeping our loyal customers in the loop so they’re aware of the exciting news to come,” said Shawn Tubre, director of the new Trinity Metro Bikes program. “We’re delighted to offer an entirely new system in the coming year. New stations, new bikes, new app, better price structure and a new name – and the timing is perfect for New Year’s resolutions!”

In early 2025, Trinity Metro will introduce a new fleet of bicycles and docking stations for Trinity Metro Bikes. To meet customer needs, 90% of the fleet will be electric bikes while the other 10% will be traditional bikes that fitness-minded riders will enjoy.

“The new system will feature both red traditional bikes and white electric bikes,” said Tubre. “This is the perfect opportunity for providing new bikes to existing customers while also encouraging a new group of recreational cyclists and commuters to try Trinity Metro Bikes.”

 

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Oct. 31, 2024 — Riding the Trinity Metro Orange Line continues to be the easiest way to travel between downtown Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Stockyards. Plus, Trinity Metro TEXRail riders have two easy options for connecting to the Orange Line because of the convenient connectivity at Fort Worth Central Station and North Side Station.

With Trinity Metro’s simplified fare structure, one-way tickets are only $2 each or customers can buy a day pass for just $4. Plus, riders on the Orange Line have a new innovative payment option: tap-to-pay on the bus by using credit/debit cards (MasterCard or Visa), Apple Pay or Google Pay at the fare box. Riders also have the option of using cash or paying with GoPass. 

Ridership is growing on the new service, and riders have provided some great feedback about what they like, including the artwork on the buses, the frequency of the route and the bus being clean and safe. Customers also praised the bus operators for being courteous, friendly and attentive to driving safely.

Hop on the Orange Line daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Convenient service runs every 15 minutes, all day long. Let’s Ride!

About Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that strives to be the preferred choice for simple, safe, and innovative mobility services in Tarrant County. The agency offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region, providing passenger trips on buses, Trinity Metro TEXRail, Trinity Metro On-Demand rideshare services, Fort Worth Bike Sharing, vanpools and Trinity Railway Express. TRE, a 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated by Trinity Metro and DART, operates between Fort Worth and Dallas. Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of Trinity Metro TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Oct. 22, 2024 — Beginning Sunday, Nov. 3, Trinity Metro TEXRail’s schedule will increase to 30 minutes during midday service, which is currently hourly. This service improvement will provide consistent half-hour frequency for the majority of service hours.

 “We’ve studied ridership patterns and noticed a surge in passengers in the middle of the day,” Vice President of Rail Reed Lanham said. “With more customers traveling at the time, we chose to adapt the schedule to meet customer demand and provide greater convenience and to accommodate commuters.”

For passengers traveling from Fort Worth T&P Station to DFW Airport Terminal B Station, the first trip will be at 4:13 a.m., and the 30-minute frequency will continue through the 6:43 p.m. departure. The night trains will be on hourly service, with the last one leaving at 10:43 p.m.

Travelers heading west from the airport will enjoy 30-minute frequency beginning at 5:10 a.m. and continuing through 7:40 p.m. Hourly service follows for nighttime hours, with the last full-route train leaving DFW Airport Terminal B Station at 11:40 p.m. An additional train from the airport leaves at 12:30 a.m. and travels to Mercantile Center Station.

“The enhanced schedule makes it easier and more convenient for Trinity Metro TEXRail riders to travel,” said Lanham. “Customers won’t need to wonder when the next train is arriving because our new schedule will be consistent and easy to use.”

Trinity Metro TEXRail, which runs between Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, operates on the same schedule every day throughout the year. Its nine stations are located in Fort Worth, North Richland Hills and Grapevine.