Category: News Release

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Nov. 29, 2018 – Paul J Ballard, President and CEO of Fort Worth’s Trinity Metro, will retire in April 2019, with completion of his five-year contract, Trinity Metro Board Chairman Scott Mahaffey announced today.

“Without Paul, the staff he assembled, and our dedicated Board members, there would be no TEXRail,” Mahaffey said, referring to the 27-mile commuter rail line between downtown Fort Worth and DFW Airport, which is set to begin passenger service on Jan. 5, 2019. 

“We’re on track, on time, and under budget,” Mahaffey said.  “Tell me how many government projects can claim that. That level of exceptional performance is why I recruited Paul for the job.”

Ballard previously led the successful startup of the Music City Star commuter train in Middle Tennessee.  He has served 46 continuous years as a general manager, CEO, or president of transit systems in both public and private sectors.  He began his career as a brakeman and trainman on the Boston and Maine Railroad, and he was a bus operator and supervisor of public transit before becoming one of the youngest transit systems general managers in the country. 

During his years in the private contract management industry, he oversaw management of public systems in 47 U.S. cities and 17 states.  He has provided management and consulting services internationally.  Ballard has held numerous leadership positions in the American Public Transportation Association, and he has participated in activities of the National Transportation Research Board, most recently evaluating new transportation research projects seeking federal funding.

 “TEXRail has undoubtedly been the biggest challenge of my career,” said Ballard. “It’s been five years of one really tough issue after another, several of them cliffhangers.”

 Among the most daunting tasks of “working on the railroad” were  funding issues, negotiating agreements among several railroads, concerns from local governments, construction delays, plans for Positive Train Control, compliance with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, and procurement of equipment and property.

 As TEXRail gears up for its New Year’s Eve celebratory event, Ballard said, “This is the perfect time for me to step back and look toward doing a little consulting and traveling the rails around the world.”

 Ballard personally rides buses and trains whenever possible, and he loves to share the experience with visitors from out of town.  “Most of all,” he said, “I want to be known for implementing public transit from the rider’s perspective.”

 

The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will operate a bus bridge between Fort Worth T&P Station, Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) Station and Richland Hills Station due to TEXRail construction all day on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.

 

Allow for additional time beyond normal commute times if utilizing these three stations. Please arrive at the listed stations several minutes prior to the regularly scheduled departure times to board buses for transfer between stations. 

 

Thank you for your patience during construction.

 

Please consult the TRE website www.TrinityRailwayExpress.org for upcoming service changes.

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Nov. 8, 2018 – Teresa Ayala, a commercial contract professional, has been appointed to the Trinity Metro Board of Directors by Council Member Carlos E. Flores, who represents Fort Worth District 2.

Ayala currently serves as a Senior Contracts Compliance & Privacy Administrator with Texas Health Resources and is a member of the national Health Care Compliance Association. Her professional experience extends to mentoring and managing at Top 25 Fortune companies throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, South America and Asia.

“Teresa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board,” said Trinity Metro Board Chair Scott Mahaffey. “She joins us at an important time in Trinity Metro’s history. We will begin TEXRail service in January, and our bus services are going strong. We just started operations in Forest Hill this week, and our Tarrant County College partnership continues to grow. Ridership among TCC students exceeded 14,000 rides in October.”

Ayala is active in the community and serves as the board secretary for the Tarrant County College District Board of Trustees. She is a member of the Association of Community Colleges Trustees, Community College Association of Texas Trustees and the Association of Latino Community College Trustees. She is the Trustee liaison to the college in creating a dynamic cultural and institutional transformation involving the implementation of guided academic and career pathways for all students.

For Ayala, using the public transportation system is a familiar transit option. “Because I grew up in Fort Worth, I have been riding public transit for years,” she said. “I look forward to serving our community by working with fellow board members and Trinity Metro staff to initiate those foundational refinements necessary to meet emergent customer needs while delivering safe and reliable service to Trinity Metro riders.”

Her other volunteerism includes serving on the Executive Council for Read FW, working with youth organizations and serving on boards in the City of Fort Worth including Tax Increment Financing Districts, Parks and Recreation Advisory, Commission for Women and the Community Development Council. In 2016, Ayala was recognized as a Great Woman of Texas for her significant civic contributions; dedication to family and her community.

She attended Tarrant County College and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in liberal arts from Texas Christian University. She and husband Charles M. Bruton, Jr., have a 12-year-old son.

About the Board of Directors

Trinity Metro is governed by an 11-member board of directors, consisting of eight Fort Worth City Council appointments and three Tarrant County Commissioners Court appointments.

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 10 million passenger trips on buses, 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 constructing TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that will operate from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, with service beginning Jan. 5, 2019.

 

Number of students has grown substantially since May

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Oct. 26, 2018 – Thousands of Tarrant County College (TCC) students are enjoying the public transportation benefit they receive for furthering their education. When TCC started covering the cost of Trinity Metro bus and rail rides in May, students took nearly 1000 rides in Tarrant County. The upward trend skyrocketed in subsequent months, with more than 14,000 rides in October.

As part of the agreement, Trinity Metro added service to TCC’s Northeast and Southeast campuses in August. Now students can access all of the TCC campuses at no cost to them.

For students like Alexandra Lopez, having TCC pick up the tab has made a big difference. “It has saved me so much money and I am just so grateful for it,” she said. Having the flexibility to reach multiple locations is another aspect of the program that has made a significant impact on her education.

“One of the campuses I attend is Southeast campus and before the program, there wasn’t any bus to Southeast,” Lopez said. “Some of the courses that I needed to take were only available there. I thought I was going to have to wait until I transfer to a university, which is something I did not want to do. I want to thank the people who were involved in the program because they made life so much easier – not just for me but for many TCC students.”

TCC Chancellor Eugene Giovannini is pleased with the program’s progress. “It is gratifying to see what a major impact our partnership with Trinity Metro already is having on our students as they work to pursue their higher education goals,” he said. “Providing our students with free transportation to every TCC location through our Ride On Program furthers our goal of being a student-ready institution and removes a significant barrier to completion for many of our students.”

Trinity Metro President/CEO Paul J Ballard said the partnership is working as planned. “When Chancellor Giovannini and I talked about this agreement last year, we hoped that the opportunity for students to access all campuses would enhance their college experience and provide the flexibility they need to enroll in classes they choose, regardless of the location,” he said. ”Because TCC students enjoy unlimited rides, they also benefit by having convenient options for getting to the grocery store, medical appointments or weekend entertainment. The success we’re seeing so far shows that the program is working.”

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 10 million passenger trips on buses, 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 constructing TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that will operate from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, with revenue service beginning in January 2019. Trinity Metro is governed by an 11-member board of directors, consisting of eight Fort Worth City Council appointments and three Tarrant County Commissioners Court appointments.

About TCC

Serving more than 100,000 students each year, Tarrant County College is one of the 20 largest higher education institutions in the United States. The two-year college offers a wide range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including traditional programs, such as Associate of Arts degrees, Community & Industry Education courses, workshops and customized training programs. The College, established in 1965, has six campuses throughout Tarrant County, including TCC Connect that provides flexibility with e-Learning and Weekend College. TCC also assists employers in training their workforces with its TCC Opportunity Center.

 

 

 

 

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Oct. 23, 2018 –The City of Forest Hill and Trinity Metro are celebrating a new bus route with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Forest Hill Civic & Convention Center, 6901 Wichita St. Operations will begin on Monday, Nov. 5.

The Forest Hill City Council has approved an agreement with Trinity Metro to provide transit service to the residents of Forest Hill. This route will benefit the city by getting people to jobs, education, and healthcare. The route will provide additional service to Tarrant County College (TCC) South as well as access to shopping, senior living and other landmarks within the city. More than 6,000 people will be within a quarter of a mile from a bus stop, and there are 1,800 jobs that are accessible on the new route.

Trinity Metro’s Board of Directors approved the new route earlier this week. Trinity Metro Board Chair Scott Mahaffey said the service reflects Forest Hill’s desire for transit options and Trinity Metro’s commitment to expanding and improving its transportation network. “This is another great example of partnering with others in the community,” he said. “Trinity Metro works with them to determine their needs and the two partners collaborate on how the city can help fund the service that we provide.”

The Forest Hill service will be Route 71 and will connect with 5B, 25 and 28 on Mansfield Highway and 3, 5A, 5B and 67X at TCC South. The route will have 32 bus stops, including city offices, convention center, Foodland, Forest Hill Senior Center and the Villas of Forest Hill. Service would be provided by a Trinity Metro trolley similar to those used in downtown Fort Worth.

“We are excited about the opportunity to offer service to the City of Forest Hill,” said Detra Whitmore, vice president of Administration/Planning & Development. “The city officials have been very enthusiastic about bringing public transportation to their residents. No longer will there be a barrier to education, employment and healthcare.” Whitmore credits the North Central Texas Council of Governments for working with Trinity Metro and Tarrant County Commissioner Roy Brooks to make this funding happen

“This historic extension of Trinity Metro bus service to the City of Forest Hill is the first step in extending ridership to South Tarrant County,” said Brooks, who will be in attendance at the ribbon-cutting event. “Further, it is one more step toward a regional transit system, which every world class metro area must provide.”

Other attendees include Judge Lisa Woodard, Board Chair Scott Mahaffey, Forest Hill Mayor Lyndia Thomas, Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Hayes and Detra Whitmore. Pastor Percy Thompson of the Greater Sweethome Missionary Baptist Church Forest Hill will provide the invocation. Other invited guests include Congressman Marc Veasey, Sen. Konni Burton, State Rep. Nicole Collier, Tarrant County Commissioners, Judge Glen Whitley, Constable Michael Campbell, Everman Mayor Ray Richardson, Crowley Mayor Billy Davis, Kennedale Mayor Brian Johnson and Forest Hill council members.

Trinity Metro President/CEO Paul J. Ballard cites the Forest Hill route as another important step in the Transit Master Plan. “Providing more service in new areas is one of the key components of our plan. I’m delighted that the Forest Hill residents can improve their mobility and enjoy new transportation options.”

Mayor Lyndia Thomas said she is anxiously awaiting the start of bus service in Forest Hill. “After working on getting transportation in our city for the last 15 months, I am excited to know that our citizens will finally have the transportation that they need. Forest Hill is making history!”

Funding, fare structure

Funding for the Forest Hill route is provided through a $1 million grant to provide public transportation as a pilot project in Everman, Crowley and Forest Hill. Trinity Metro will be working with other cities to bring transit to their residents. The two-year pilot will utilize a third of the grant for Forest Hill. In the third year, Forest Hill will be responsible for paying for the service, which is $200,000.

The fare structure will be the same as Trinity Metro’s other bus routes: $2 for a single ride or $5 for an all-day pass that is valid for all buses and rail in Tarrant County. For those who qualify, a reduced day pass is available for $2.50.

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 10 million passenger trips on buses, 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 constructing TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that will operate from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, with revenue service beginning in January 2019. Trinity Metro is governed by an 11-member board of directors, consisting of eight Fort Worth City Council appointments and three Tarrant County Commissioners Court appointments.

 

Media Contact: Brian Murnahan  

TEXRail Public Involvement

Brian.murnahan@ridetm.org

(817) 689-9913

 

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) September 12, 2018 – Weather permitting, Spur 280 Westbound (WB) will be closed beginning 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, through 5 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, while the eastbound portion of the highway will be closed between 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, and 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24.

Out of an abundance of caution, the highway closures are taking place to ensure the safety of both drivers and the construction crews beneath Spur 280 during the construction of a railroad bridge below the traffic flyover as well as construction activity occurring on the WB Spur 280 Bridge.  Traffic will be detoured:

Westbound or into downtown Fort Worth:

• I-30 to the Lancaster or Henderson exits
• I-35 to the Belknap exit (Belknap will be closed overnight due to I-35 construction, requiring motorists to use I-30 during the overnight hours)

Eeastbound or out of downtown Fort Worth

• I-30 enter from either Lancaster or Henderson
• I-35 enter from Weatherford

The Spur 280 road closures are part of the TEXRail project, the new 27-mile commuter rail line that will extend from Downtown Fort Worth, across northeast Tarrant County, through North Richland Hills and Grapevine, and into Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.  The line is scheduled to begin service in January 2019.

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 10 million passenger trips on buses, 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 governed by an 11-member board of directors, consisting of eight Fort Worth City Council appointments and three Tarrant County Commissioners Court appointments.

Transportation executive joins Trinity Metro as Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

Wayne Gensler will oversee bus and paratransit services

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) August 28, 2018 – Wayne Gensler, a transportation executive with more than 25 years of experience, has joined Trinity Metro as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Bus and Paratransit. In this role, he will oversee the agency’s operations, maintenance, service planning and safety.

Gensler comes to Fort Worth from Houston, where he served as Director of Contract Operated Services at the Metropolitan Transit Authority. In that capacity, he managed contract compliance and ensured adherence to the agency’s service goals while managing an annual budget of $90 million. He worked to improve the customer experience by using innovative technologies and enhancing first mile/last mile opportunities.

“Wayne is an excellent addition to our leadership team,” said Paul Ballard, president and chief executive officer. “His experience in transportation and industry know-how will help guide long-term planning of our services and resources.”

Gensler’s previous roles include serving as senior project manager at MV Transportation in St. Louis, region vice president at First Student in St. Louis, district manager at Allied Waste Service in Nashville, and vice president and general manager at Laidlaw Transit in St. Louis. He earned a Bachelor of Science in economics at Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis.

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 10 million passenger trips on buses, 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 constructing TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that will operate from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, with revenue service beginning in January 2019. Trinity Metro is governed by an 11-member board of directors, consisting of eight Fort Worth City Council appointments and three Tarrant County Commissioners Court appointments.

Sal Espino joins Trinity Metro as Director of Government Relations

 Former Fort Worth City Council Member served six terms

 

(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) July 16, 2018 – Trinity Metro announces the hiring of former Fort Worth City Council Member Salvador Espino as the agency’s Director of Government Relations. In this capacity, he will manage Trinity Metro’s governmental relationships at the local, state and federal level. Espino also will develop and implement a strategic legislative plan for Trinity Metro, analyze legislation affecting transit and work with elected officials and their staffs.

During his tenure on city council, Espino served as chairman of the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee and the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. He also served on the Regional Transportation Council, the independent transportation policy body of the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

“We are pleased to have Sal join our agency,” President/CEO Paul Ballard said. “He brings a wealth of Fort Worth knowledge and legislative experience to this role. His background in public policy and his transportation leadership will be essential, as he develops a strategic legislative plan for the future of transit in Tarrant County.”

In addition to city council, Espino served as president of Cassata High School from 2006 to 2010 and has worked in the field of law since 1995. He has managed a title company in his law office since 2003 and has experience as a staff and litigation attorney. Earlier in his career, Espino worked in accounting roles at Accounting Professionals CPE Institute and NTCS, Inc.

Since 1995, he has held various leadership positions at All Saints Catholic Church. He has also served the community, volunteering with the St. Joseph Health Care Trust Grants Committee, Imagination Celebration Fort Worth, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Rose Marine Theater, and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts/Texas Boys Choir.

Espino graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas Christian University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University.

About Trinity Metro

Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs in Tarrant County and offers connections throughout the North Central Texas region. Trinity Metro annually provides 10 million passenger trips on buses, vanpools and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). Trinity Metro jointly owns and operates the TRE with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Trinity Metro is constructing TEXRail, a new commuter rail line that will operate from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, with revenue service to begin in January 2019. Trinity Metro is governed by an 11-member board of directors, consisting of eight Fort Worth City Council appointments and three Tarrant County Commissioners Court appointments.