Author: Laura Hanna

(FORT WORTH, TX – May 15, 2020) – Trinity Metro will receive $55 million as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for public transportation. The Regional Transportation Council approved the funding, which can be used for financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trinity Metro’s $55,161,034 will be used toward offsetting losses in the operating budget from decreased sales tax and fare box revenue. The money will also be used for COVID-19 expenses that were incurred to protect passengers and employees.

“The grant funds will primarily cover salaries, wages and lost revenues,” said Bob Baulsir, CEO and president of Trinity Metro. “Most importantly, the money will be used for the health benefits and protections for our employees and customers to ensure Trinity Metro maintains a safe and healthy working and riding environment.”

The funding is part of the $2 trillion CARES Act that President Donald Trump signed into law on March 27. From the CARES Act, the Federal Transit Administration received $25 billion for transit providers to respond to the crisis.

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Urbanized Area (UZA) received $318 million, which is allocated among 11 transit providers. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) received the funds for the region and is the designated entity for distributing the money to the area’s providers.

About Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs in Tarrant County. The agency offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region, annually providing 8 million passenger trips on buses, TEXRail, ACCESS paratransit, vanpools and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), a 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B. 

 

(FORT WORTH, TX – May 11, 2020) – After nearly two months of free fares on buses, TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit, Trinity Metro will resume fare collection on Sunday, May 17.

The agency suspended fares from mid-March to mid-May to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by increasing social distancing and decreasing interactions between bus operators and passengers and between train conductors and riders.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, Trinity Metro has been implementing new safety measures. The most recent project was to install transparent safety barriers at the front of all regular bus routes. The safety shield is placed between the driver and the fare box, so customers can easily validate or pay for a ticket when boarding.

“The protective barrier will add a safety layer for our customers and our bus operators,” said Wayne Gensler, vice president and chief operating officer for bus and paratransit. “We also encourage our drivers and passengers to wear masks to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

With new safety measures in place, passengers will resume boarding buses from the front.

Social distancing and cleaning

Social distance practices are still in place at passenger shelters and stations and when on board bus, train and paratransit vehicles. Trinity Metro will continue limiting the number of riders to 35 percent of capacity.

Trinity Metro continues to take extra steps to increase the cleaning frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, seats and benches with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses, vans and ACCESS vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

About Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs in Tarrant County. The agency offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region, annually providing 8 million passenger trips on buses, TEXRail, ACCESS paratransit, vanpools and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), a 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B. 

(FORT WORTH, TX – April 27, 2020) – A third Trinity Metro bus operator has tested positive for COVID-19. The operator drove on 14 Sylvania/NE 28th between April 5 and April 20. The employee worked on Route 14 on April 5-6, April 10-12 and April 16-20, and has been self-quarantined since April 21.

Any passengers who rode Route 14 on these dates should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact their healthcare provider if any symptoms develop, and self-quarantine to avoid possibly exposing others.

Update on previous cases

The second bus operator to test positive has been self-quarantined since April 20.

The first bus operator, who tested positive in late March, has fully recovered and is back at work.

Steps to reduce risk

Safeguarding the health and well-being of passengers and employees is Trinity Metro’s top priority. The agency is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation and are communicating with local, state and national health authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Trinity Metro continues to take extra steps to increase the cleaning frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, seats and benches with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses, vans and ACCESS vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

To help reduce exposure between employees and customers, Trinity Metro is offering free fares on buses, TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit through May 15. Bus riders are encouraged to board and exit through the back doors to increase social distancing. The front entrance is open for customers using wheelchairs. For additional social distancing, Trinity Metro is reducing seating capacity to 35 percent.

 

 

(FORT WORTH, TX – April 24, 2020) – A second Trinity Metro bus operator has tested positive for COVID-19. The operator drives on bus routes 1 South Hemphill, 2 Camp Bowie, 12 Samuels/Mercantile Center, 14 Sylvania/NE 28th, 21 Boca Raton, 26 Ridgmar Mall/Normandale,  27 Como/Ridgmar Mall, 46 Jacksboro Highway and 65X South Park & Ride Xpress.

Here are the dates and routes for the two weeks prior to self-quarantine:

Route 1 – April 12

Route 2 – April 12

Route 12 – April 12

Route 14 – April 14

Route 21 – April 5 and April 19

Route 26 – April 6

Route 27 – April 13

Route 46 – April 9 and April 19

Route 65 – April 9

The employee has been self-quarantined since April 20.

The first bus operator, who tested positive in late March, has fully recovered and is back at work.

Any passengers who rode the routes driven by the operator between April 5 and 19 should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact their healthcare provider if any symptoms develop, and self-quarantine to avoid possibly exposing others.

What Trinity Metro is doing

Safeguarding the health and well-being of passengers and employees is Trinity Metro’s top priority. The agency is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation and are communicating with local, state and national health authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Trinity Metro continues to take extra steps to increase the cleaning frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, seats and benches with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses, vans and ACCESS vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

To help reduce exposure between employees and customers, Trinity Metro is offering free fares on buses, TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit through May 15. Bus riders are encouraged to board and exit through the back doors to increase social distancing. The front entrance is open for customers using wheelchairs. For additional social distancing, Trinity Metro is reducing seating capacity to 35 percent.

 

 

(FORT WORTH, TX – April 15, 2020) – North Texas public transportation agencies are joining their colleagues across the country in a coordinated day of action to salute frontline transit heroes. At 2 p.m. Thursday, April 16, bus operators, train conductors and paratransit drivers from Trinity Metro, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will sound their horns twice to honor our heroic transportation workers.

The act of solidarity is a symbolic way to pay tribute to those who continue providing service so that first responders and other essential workers can get to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every day, frontline transportation workers provide essential services, making it possible for people to access health care, pharmacies, grocery stores and other critical needs.

Trinity Metro plans to participate with buses, ACCESS paratransit, and Trinity Metro TEXRail. TRE, which is jointly owned and operated by Trinity Metro and DART, will also participate.

 DART will sound horns across all of their light rail, bus and paratransit services. DCTA will be joining in the salute by sounding horns on its A-train commuter rail and on all buses in operation.

To help support the effort, all three agencies are encouraging the use of #SoundTheHorn on social media to honor those who serve others.

Trinity Metro is closely monitoring the rapidly changing COVID-19 crisis and is making service adjustments to better meet the mobility needs of Tarrant County residents. In conjunction with its downtown funding partners, Trinity Metro has temporarily suspended Molly the Trolley service.

Passengers can use the online trip planner tool to find an alternate route. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Customer Care at 817-215-8600.

To learn more about Trinity Metro’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, visit the website.

(FORT WORTH, TX – April 2, 2020) – In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Trinity Metro is extending its modified schedules and free fares until May 1 to reduce the novel coronavirus risk for customers and employees.

Regular bus service will continue to operate on a modified Sunday schedule seven days a week. Routes that do not operate on Sunday, such as the downtown Lunch Line, 71-Forest Hill and the 991-Juror Shuttle, will be temporarily suspended. Express routes 63X/64X and 65X will continue to operate on their regular schedules. 

“An essential component of serving the public is to be there when they need you most,” said Trinity Metro President and CEO Bob Baulsir. “Public transportation is as essential service to make sure customers can access work, health care and other resources during this difficult time.”

Trinity Metro TEXRail is running on an hourly service, which is based upon the regular schedule, seven days a week. Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will operate six days a week based upon its current Saturday schedule, with no service on Sundays.

The number of ACCESS rides will be reduced, with a focus on only making essential trips. ZIPZONE services are not impacted by this temporary change. 

Social distancing with free fares

To limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure, Trinity Metro will continue to offer free rides on buses, Trinity Metro TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit. This is intended to significantly minimize the amount of contact between operators and customers as well as conductors and riders. 

On trains, passengers will sit in alternating rows and only in the window seats to maximize the amount of space between customers and between the conductors and riders. Signs or caution tape will be used to designate unavailable seats.

On buses, passengers will continue to board and exit through the back doors to increase social distancing. The front entrance is open for customers using wheelchairs.  On the busiest routes, extra operators are ready to pick up passengers in a second bus to limit the number of riders per vehicle. Trinity Metro has reduced seating capacity to 35 percent. The agency will be posting signage on platforms to reinforce appropriate distancing for customers waiting for rides.

Because TRE is a shared service with DART, TRE passengers will need a ticket to ride.

How Trinity Metro is helping

Safeguarding the health and well-being of passengers and employees is Trinity Metro’s top priority. The agency is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation and are communicating with local, state and national health authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Trinity Metro continues to take extra steps to increase the cleaning frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, seats and benches with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses, vans and ACCESS vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

About Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs in Tarrant County. The agency offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region, annually providing 8 million passenger trips on buses, TEXRail, ACCESS paratransit, vanpools and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), a 34-mile commuter rail line jointly owned and operated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B. 

Trinity Metro bus operators, railcar engineers and conductors can now join first responders in getting tested for COVID-19 at an off-campus test site operated by The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC).

Trinity Metro operates buses, TEXRail, ZIPZONE services, ACCESS paratransit, vanpools and Trinity Railway Express (TRE), providing 8 million passenger trips annually. Its transportation services are essential to many Tarrant County residents who rely on Trinity Metro for access to health care, food and medicine, as well as many first responders and other essential workers who depend on Trinity Metro to get to work.

“Trinity Metro is a critical part of the mass transit system that continues to get essential workers to their jobs and ensure people have access to important services, such as health care and grocery stores,” HSC Fort Worth President Michael R. Williams said. “Trinity Metro team members interact with people on a daily basis, and this expansion of our test site will help further reduce transmission of this disease.”

Trinity Metro has already taken steps to prevent transmission of COVID-19, minimizing contact between employees and passengers by offering free rides on regular bus routes, ACCESS and TEXRail. It also has increased the cleaning and sanitization frequency of high-touch surfaces on trains, buses and vans.

“Partnering with HSC for testing of our frontline employees is a great option,” said Charles Davis Jr., Vice President of Teamsters Local 997. “Our operators are committed to providing vital services during this health crisis. Knowing that we have access to timely testing is a tremendous benefit for our team.”

The drive-through testing site is a partnership that includes HSC, Catalyst Health Network, the Fort Worth Fire Department and the Moncrief Cancer Institute. It opened March 23 to first responders, such as police, fire, emergency medical technicians, sheriff’s officers, paramedics and constables.

The testing site is intended to keep first responders informed of their health status, and to allow those who test negative to return to their jobs rather than wait out the 14-day self-observation period after a possible exposure.

An Infection Disease Coordinator at the Joint Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at the City of Fort Worth is the primary point of contact for first responders. The coordinator will conduct an environmental and clinical assessment to determine if COVID testing is warranted. If so, the responder will be contacted by HSC within 24 to 48 hours to schedule the test.

As of March 31, 166 first responders have been tested for COVID-19 at the site, said Dr. Mark Chassay, HSC Chief Clinical & Medical Officer.

“Thanks to our partners and the extraordinary dedication of our healthcare team, we have been able to help many of our first responders concerned about their health,” Dr. Chassay said. “We’re proud to now offer testing to our friends at Trinity Metro, who continue to provide their valuable services to the community during this challenging time.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Alex Branch, Director of Media Relations

alexander.branch@unthsc.edu

817-307-2399 (cell)

 

 

A Trinity Metro bus operator has tested positive for COVID-19. The operator drives on bus routes 20 Handley, 21 Boca Raton and 25 Crosstown and was last at work on March 21, working in the afternoon and night.

Here are the dates and routes for the two weeks prior to self-quarantine:

Route 20 – March 13 and 20

Route 21 – March 9-11 and March 16-18

Route 25 – March 7, 14 and 21

The employee has mild symptoms and has been self-quarantined since March 22.

Any passengers who rode the routes driven by the operator between March 7 and 21 should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact their healthcare provider if any symptoms develop, and self-quarantine to avoid possibly exposing others.

What Trinity Metro is doing

Safeguarding the health and well-being of passengers and employees is Trinity Metro’s top priority. The agency is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation and are communicating with local, state and national health authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.

Trinity Metro continues to take extra steps to increase the cleaning frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, seats and benches with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses, vans and ACCESS vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.

To help reduce exposure between employees and customers, Trinity Metro is temporarily offering free fares on buses, TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit. Bus riders are encouraged to board and exit through the back doors to increase social distancing. The front entrance is open for customers using wheelchairs. For additional social distancing, Trinity Metro is reducing seating capacity to 35 percent.

 

This weekend, Trinity Metro TEXRail will temporarily stop service to complete annual maintenance, including track work and clearing vegetation. The service interruption will be Saturday and Sunday, April 4-5, with the last trains departing Fort Worth T&P Station at 1:43 a.m. and DFW Terminal B Station at 2:10 a.m. Saturday. There will be no service after 2:10 a.m. Saturday and no service on Sunday. 

Service will resume on Monday, April 6, with the first train departing North Side Station at 3:20 a.m. Riders who need to travel to essential employment or appointments this weekend should call customer care at 817-215-8600 by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 2.