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Category: News Release

Spring break service to the zoo

(FORT WORTH, TX – Feb. 28, 2020) – During spring break, Trinity Metro passengers can enjoy a quick ride between downtown Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Zoo. The Safari Xpress will operate every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. March 7-15.

The Safari Xpress bus will depart from Bus Bay A, which is adjacent to the Trinity Railway Express platform, at Fort Worth Central Station, 1001 Jones St. The bus drops off on Colonial Parkway – a short walk from the zoo’s main entrance.

Tickets are $2.50 one way or $5 for day pass. Youth ages 5-19 and seniors 65 and older ride for $1.25 one way. Children younger than 5 ride for free.

Zoo visitors connecting to the Safari Xpress from Trinity Metro TEXRail or the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) can ride the Safari Xpress from Fort Worth Central Station free of charge with a one-day ticket or a monthly or annual pass.Gorilla at the Fort Worth Zoo

For more information about the Safari Xpress, call Customer Care at 817-215-8600.

Admission to the Fort Worth Zoo is $16 for adults, $12 for seniors (65+) and children (ages 3-12). Toddlers 2 and younger are free. Admission is half-price every Wednesday. Zoo hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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, 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.

 

Media contacts:
Laura Hanna, Trinity Metro Director of Communications, Laura.Hanna@RideTM.org
Avery Elander, Fort Worth Zoo Asst. Director of Communications; aelander@fortworthzoo.org

Trinity Metro plans Bus Rapid Transit on East Lancaster

(FORT WORTH, TX – Feb. 25, 2020) – Trinity Metro’s highest ridership area will be pioneering a new service in North Texas – the East Lancaster Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Features are similar to light rail and will provide a faster and more convenient bus service. BRT includes dedicated lanes, stations in the center of the road, and platform ticket validation to speed the boarding process.

The BRT project will be developed as a highly collaborative effort with the City of Fort Worth, Texas Department of Transportation, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.

“This first-of-its-kind partnership in North Texas will bring countless improvements for our residents, including pedestrian safety, faster travel times, and increased frequency of service for all riders in the corridor,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “Investing in mobility in this corridor will spark an increase in ridership, while also bringing positive attention to the economic opportunities in East Fort Worth.”

On Monday, the Trinity Metro Board of Directors authorized the agency to move forward with Simon Engineering & Consulting, Inc. for professional planning and engineering services. The first phase, which will last approximately six months, is for BRT concept development and sketch planning.

Wayne Gensler, vice president and chief operating officer for bus and paratransit, said East Lancaster is the perfect location for this innovative service. “The corridor is ideal because of the high ridership, right-of-way availability, and the opportunity to advance urban design integration and implement state-of-the art technology.”

The BRT project also represents an opportunity to incorporate solutions for needs identified in the City of Fort Worth’s pedestrian and bicycle plans to improve multimodal facilities in the corridor.

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, 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.

 

Free rides for Cowtown Marathon

(FORT WORTH, TX – Feb. 27, 2020) – Trinity Metro will be offering free rides on The Dash for The 2020 Cowtown Marathon racers and guests between downtown Fort Worth and the event starting area this weekend, Feb. 28-March 1.

The pickup points are the Courtyard Fort Worth Downtown/Blackstone, Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Worth Downtown, The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel, Omni Fort Worth Hotel and Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel.

Passengers can ride for free for all three days, including service to the 2020 Cowtown Health & Fitness Expo. The Expo, which is 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday is at Will Rogers Memorial Center in the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall. 

The 5K and 10K races will be held on Saturday and the half marathon and full marathon will be run on Sunday. All races start and finish at Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Trinity Metro will operate on The Dash route, but most vehicles will be the regular buses with “The Dash” on the exterior digital displays. The larger articulated buses can accommodate a higher passenger volume. Some of the operations will be on The Dash, which is a bright red battery-electric bus.

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, 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.

View new website in Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge

Trinity Metro has launched a new website that is designed for an enhanced customer experience. The website should be viewed using the newest versions of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Less than 5 percent of customers use Internet Explorer, so the website strategy was to focus on the web browsers that are most utilized. In addition to Chrome and Edge, the modern web technology also works with the newest versions of Safari, Firefox and most up-to-date software on mobile devices.

During the last year, Trinity Metro conducted surveys and held focus groups to gather feedback from passengers and non-riders. They listened to those suggestions and adapted elements to create a better user experience. They also compared other transit agency websites to look for common themes and best practices. The result is a new website with better interactive options and an emphasis what customers are seeking.

The web address will continue to be RIDETRINITYMETRO.org, but users will soon be viewing an engaging and innovative website.

In June: Crowley ZIPZONE

(FORT WORTH, TX – Feb. 13, 2020) – Trinity Metro and the City of Crowley are partnering to provide a new transportation option to Crowley residents. The Crowley ZIPZONE, which will begin in June, will provide transportation to medical facilities and shopping options within the city as well as connections to four bus routes (route 6, route 65X,  route 66X and route 72) in Fort Worth, plus the South Park & Ride.

“This will be a big benefit because it’s an affordable way to get around town, especially for our seniors,” said Jack Thompson, assistant city manager and economic development director for Crowley. “We are excited to work with Trinity Metro and Via (the contracted service provider).”

The Crowley ZIPZONE will operate 6:30-10 a.m. and 3:30-7 p.m. weekdays and will include service to Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South and the Gateway Station shopping center. The cost for a one-way trip will be $3.

Primary funding for the ZIPZONE was provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments through a $333,000 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program grant.

Roy C. Brooks, Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 1, said, “It is important to work toward feasible transportation options for all of our Tarrant County cities. Thanks to a partnership between the Regional Transportation Council, Trinity Metro, and Tarrant County Precinct 1, residents of the City of Crowley will have a new way to move within their city and to connect to the larger public transportation network.”

The new service in Crowley the third on-demand service for Trinity Metro. A fourth option, the Near Southside ZIPZONE, is planned for late spring.

“Helping customers reach their destination requires a combination of traditional transit and innovative solutions,” said Wayne Gensler, vice president and chief operating officer of bus and paratransit at Trinity Metro. “By introducing service in new areas, we are able to connect passengers with our existing services to provide a better customer experience.”

About ZIPZONES

Trinity Metro has two other ZIPZONES. The Mercantile ZIPZONE connects Trinity Metro TEXRail and bus passengers (route 11, route 12 and route 16) to first-mile/last-mile service near Mercantile Center Station. The Alliance ZIPZONE connects with bus route 16 and route 63X/64X, which is a partner route between Trinity Metro and Denton County Transportation Authority.

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, 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.

Free rides for voting

(FORT WORTH, TX – Feb. 12, 2020) – When early voting starts on Feb. 18, Tarrant County voters will be able to catch free rides to the polls on six transit options.

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a partnership with four transportation services in Tarrant County to pay for customer trips to voting locations for the entire early voting period (Feb. 18-28) and Election Day on March 3.

The Commissioners Court approved the plan, which is not to exceed $20,000, on Jan. 28.

Last month, the Commissioners Court also approved early voting locations at nine college campus sites. The Texas Secretary of State also signed off on countywide vote centers, meaning Tarrant County voters can go to any polling place on Election Day.

“With vote centers, early voting sites on college campuses and free rides to the polls, Tarrant County is giving voters every opportunity to participate in the upcoming March 3 primaries,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. “We

 are including as many public transit providers as possible within Tarrant County, from accessible services for the elderly and mobility-impaired, to on-demand service in Arlington.”

Tiffany Moore-Turner, general manager at Trinity Metro, said this partnership encourages voter participation. “Providing free transportation is an excellent way to help voters get to the polls. We appreciate the Tarrant County Commissioners Court for funding this initiative.”

For Trinity Metro buses, passengers should show a voter registration card or driver’s license to the bus operator.

The six transit services included in the program are Trinity Metro’s fixed-route bus, ACCESS paratransit, Tarrant County Transportation Services (TCTS), Northeast Transportation Services (NETS), Arlington’s Via and Handitran.

Those who qualify and want to ride to vote on ACCESS, TCTS, NETS or Handitran should call the provider at least 48 hours ahead of the trip to schedule their free ride to any of the Tarrant County Vote Centers.

To use Via’s on-demand service in Arlington to vote, riders simply download Via’s app, enter the address of a Vote Center within Via’s service area along with promo code ARLINGTONVOTE, or call 817-794-7382 to hail a ride by phone. The rider will not be charged for trips scheduled to or from a Vote Center location.

United Way offers tax prep help

The United Way of Tarrant County is providing Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for individuals and households with an annual income of $58,000 or less. Those who qualify will receive help from IRS -certified volunteers. See which routes will take you to a tax site.

United Way Tax Center Map & Hours of Operations

TEXRail Service Interruptions

(FORT WORTH, TX – Jan. 30, 2020) – As Trinity Metro progresses through the implementation of positive train control on TEXRail, a limited number of service interruptions will occur between midnight and 4 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, to Friday, March 20, while testing is conducted.

TEXRail #275, which departs the airport at 11:40 p.m., will operate from DFW Airport Terminal B Station and terminate at Mercantile Center Station at 12:14 a.m. A bus will replace TEXRail to transport passengers from Mercantile Center Station to Fort Worth T&P Station.

TEXRail #278, which departs Fort Worth T&P Station at 11:43 p.m., will terminate at North Side Station at 11:55 p.m. and will not continue to the airport.

TEXRail #212 will start at 4:01 a.m. from Mercantile Center Station during the testing period.

The remaining trains (#277, #280, #179, #182, #181, #111 and #110) will not offer passenger service during the testing.

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, 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.

News in Motion: Winter 2020

TEXRail marks one-year anniversary of service

TEXRail train with downtown Fort Worth in background

Time flies when you’re riding in style to the airport.

On Jan. 10, 2020, Trinity Metro TEXRail celebrated one year in operation, and has provided nearly 600,000 rides since Jan. 10, 2019.

At the end of 2019, TEXRail ridership reached 545,345 for the year. December was a record-setting month, with 51,217 passengers and the trains were on schedule 99.15 percent of the time. The previous record for paid ridership was 44,741, which occurred in November.

Jon-Erik “AJ” Arjanen, vice president and chief operating officer for rail, said TEXRail’s reliability is key to increasing ridership.

“Riders want to know that the train is going to pick them up on time and take them safely to their destination as scheduled,” Arjanen said. “If you’re traveling to the airport to catch a flight, you don’t want to worry about when you’ll arrive.”

Ridership patterns emerged during the first year, with DFW Airport Terminal B Station consistently ranking first in ridership on weekdays and Sundays. On Saturdays, Grapevine/Main Street had the highest ridership.

First year fun facts

To put the one-year anniversary in perspective, check out these numbers for Jan. 10, 2019 to Jan. 10, 2020, and other fun facts.

  • 528,036 miles traveled
  • 560,171 rides
  • 1,792 seats (224 per train)
  • 832 train washes
  • 688 windows (86 per train)
  • 41 railroad crossings
  • 27 miles each way
  • 23 bridges
  • 9 stations
  • 8 trains

 

Employees enjoying convenient on-site health care

The Trinity Metro Medical Clinic is off to a great start – serving the needs of patients in nearly 900 visits from its opening on Sept. 11 through the end of the year. Here are a few of the stats to show how our on-site clinic is helping to meet the medical needs of our employees and their dependents.

  • Number of visits to the clinic: 856Doctor with patient as Medical Clinic offices
  • Number of wellness visits: 650
  • Number of patients: 379
  • Number of biometric screenings: 301
  • Number of flu shots administered: 192
  • Number of Vitamin B12 shots: 166

What patients are saying

  • “It was so easy to come and get our DOT and re-cert exams now. I did not like driving all the way to Concentra.”
  • “This is so exciting that my wife and children can come to the clinic now.”

Success story from LaVonda McLennan, health center manager

A man came to the clinic for his biometric screening. His cholesterol was elevated, glucose was a little elevated, weight indicated obesity and blood pressure was extremely high. He had not had a physical in many years, and he was not taking any medications for his blood pressure or cholesterol. I encouraged him to return for a visit, but he was initially reluctant because he feared his health information would be shared with his employer. I informed him of HIPAA Laws, which protects patient privacy, and scheduled him for a physical. 

At the exam, we conducted lab work and got him started on blood pressure and cholesterol medicine. We executed a lifestyle modification plan for weight loss to decrease his blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol.  I also encouraged him to utilize the Trinity Metro Wellness Center.  When he returned for his follow up visit 10 weeks later, his blood pressure was normal and he had lost 8 pounds. He continuously expressed gratitude, stated his mood was better, felt better about himself and was very excited about the progress he had made in such a short period of time. All it took was a little encouragement, and he is motivated to continue on his healthy journey.  I look forward to his next follow-up visit to see the progress he has made

DASH-ing to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

The Dash Bus

Now that the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) is in full swing, area residents and tourists alike are finding that The Dash is the easiest way to make their move to western fun.

During the FWSSR opening weekend (Saturday-Monday), The Dash provided 805 rides. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ridership was 399 – the highest daily ridership in 2020. On FWSSR’s opening day, ridership was 309. So far this month, The Dash has provided nearly 5,000 rides

If you haven’t ridden The Dash yet, you should try it during the 23 days of the FWSSR. You’ll find plenty of stops along the way = 7th Street corridor, Crockett Row’s dining and entertainment options, the Cultural District and Dickies Arena, the new home of the rodeo.

Plus, you’ll enjoy late-night service on Friday and Saturday nights. The Dash operates 9:22 a.m.-10:44 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 9:22 a.m.-12:44 a.m. Friday-Saturday

 

Coming soon: New safety programs

Joe Acosta Headshot

Joe Acosta, who was recently hired as chief safety officer, will be leading the implementation of formal safety programs in 2020: Safety Management System (SMS) to meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliance and System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) to meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) compliance. 

SMS is designed to enhance safety practices, processes and procedures to establish continuous improvement and a well-established safety culture for transit agencies that receive FTA funding. Trinity Metro’s fixed route buses and paratransit vehicles fall into this category. By July 20, 2020, transit agencies are required to have compliant safety plans in place. Going forward, each agency is required to review, update, and certify their plan annually. 

Trinity Metro’s two passenger commuter rail lines, TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) are subject to FRA regulatory compliance to include an SSPP in compliance with 49 CFR Part 270, which currently has a stay from implementation until March 4, 2020. 

Acosta will incorporate an SMS approach within the TEXRail System Safety Program and plan accordingly to establish consistency of safety processes throughout Trinity Metro transit services.

 

Employee Spotlight: Sam Worman

Sam Worman Headshot

Sam Worman started with Trinity Metro in November as our new Director of Training. If you’ve seen him around, you’ve also probably noticed his colorful socks. His festive collection even includes a pair with flamingo design. Let’s get to know a little more about Sam.

Before working at Trinity Metro, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I was a craps dealer for a casino, part time for about 11 years.

If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Surf and turf. Steak and Lobster every day.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Woodworking. No, I’m not very good at it.

What was the first concert you ever went to?

REO Speedwagon

What is an interesting fact that most people don’t know about you?

Most adults can’t have their donated blood be given to infants. After being screened, I learned that I am one of the few who can donate blood that can be transfused to infants.

 

Health Tip: Reduce use of certain fats and oil

Michael Whitmarsh Headshot

We all need some fat in our diet, but eating too much, especially the wrong kinds, increases risks of obesity, heart disease and stroke.  Industrially produced trans fat are the most hazardous for health. A diet high in this kind of fat has been found to raise risk of heart disease by nearly 30 percent

Some tips to reduce fat consumption:

  • Replace butter and lard with healthier oils, such as soybean, canola, safflower and sunflower.
  • Choose white meat like poultry and fish, which are generally lower in fats than red meat. Trim meat of visible fat and limit the consumption of processed meats.
  • Try steaming or boiling instead of frying food when cooking.
  • Check labels and avoid processed/fried foods that contain trans fat that is often found in margarine as well as pre-packaged snacks and fried foods.

 

Former CEO chosen for as RTD interim

(FORT WORTH, TX – Jan. 30, 2020) – Paul Ballard, who previously served as president and chief executive officer for Trinity Metro, has been selected as the interim general manager and chief executive officer for Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD). Dave Genova, who previously served in that role, recently retired after 26 years with the agency. Ballard will serve in an interim capacity while an executive search for a permanent replacement is conducted.Paul Ballard

Ballard retired from Trinity Metro in April 2019 after fulfilling a five-year contract. During his tenure, the agency launched the Trinity Metro TEXRail commuter rail line, relocated headquarters to downtown Fort Worth, rebranded to Trinity Metro, and began the Alliance ZIPZONE first-mile/last-mile solution.

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, 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.