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Category: News Release

City of Fort Worth honors former chairman of Trinity Metro Board

(FORT WORTH, TX – Nov. 13, 2019) – The former chairman of the Trinity Metro Board of Directors was honored with a proclamation by the Fort Worth City Council, which designated Nov. 12, 2019 as Scott MahaScott Mahaffey Headshotffey Day.

Mahaffey served on the Trinity Metro Board since 2013 and recently stepped down from the position. In the proclamation, he is credited for furthering mobility and transportation in the region. The proclamation, in part, reads, “Under Scott Mahaffey’s leadership as Chairman of the Board, Trinity Metro implemented significant improvements and introduced new services, including the TEXRail commuter rail line from Fort Worth to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, marking a new day in transportation for the DFW region.”

Trinity Metro CEO and President Bob Baulsir said he worked closely with Mahaffey during their time together. “Scott is an astute business leader whose contributions were invaluable. He was always available and eager to tackle challenges and to pave the way for a better transportation system in Fort Worth and Tarrant County.”

In the proclamation, Mahaffey was credited with transforming and improving organizations through leadership positions on the board of directors, including for Casa Manana and Colonial Country Club. Mahaffey was president during the rebuilding of the Casa Manana Theater and chair from 2001 to 2003. During his time on the Colonial Country Club Board, he oversaw the renovation of the golf course.

The proclamation summarized the tribute with “The City of Fort Worth has been shaped, improved and strengthened by the service of Scott Mahaffey.”

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.

Hundreds of volunteers make Bus Stop Cleanup Day a success

(FORT WORTH, TX – Nov. 1, 2019) – When Trinity Metro announced a Bus Stop Cleanup Day, volunteers came in droves to support the effort. The 40 participating teams represented the City of Fort Worth, Steer Fort Worth, Tarrant Transit Alliance, City of Forest Hill, Trinity Metro and many others.

Lady mowing grass at bus stop“Having clean and well-kept passenger shelters and bus stops is important for the ‘curb appeal’ of public transportation,” said Detra Whitmore, vice president of customer experience. “We were overwhelmed by the amount of support and helping hands we received for our event.”

Volunteers selected a route and then traveled from stop to stop, trimming and cleaning whatever was needed – from mowing grass to cleaning glass panels at passenger shelters. At the end of the day, more than 110 trash bags had been filled with grass clippings, weeds and trash.

Creative cleanup

To add to the fun, Trinity Metro awarded prizes to the teams with the most creative names. First place went to “We got 99 problems, but trash ain’t one of them,” followed by “Bus a rhyme” in second place and Forest Hill Lady picking up trash at bus stopGumps in third.

“This year was such a success that we plan to make it an annual event,” Whitmore said. “Everything our teams did contributes to a better experience for our customers.”

The sponsors for the event included Keep Fort Worth Beautiful, Tolar Manufacturing, Cox Racing, WurthUSA, Inc., and Central Market. Keep Fort Worth Beautiful donated trash cleanup tools and worked two routes during the event.

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.

 

Tarrant County partners with Trinity Metro for free rides on Election Day

(FORT WORTH, TX – Oct. 30, 2019) – On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Tarrant County voters will be able to catch free rides to the polls on seven transit services.

The Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a partnership with several transportation services in Tarrant County to pay for customer trips to voting locations on Election Day.

Official Seal of Tarrant County Texas

On Nov. 5, riders can show their voter registration card or current Texas ID and ride for free to vote.

The Commissioners Court approved the plan, which is not to exceed $20,000, on Oct. 15. 

“It is important that every eligible voter in Tarrant County has the opportunity to vote,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. “We have included 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.”

Wayne Gensler, vice president and chief operating officer for bus and paratransit at Trinity Metro, said he is pleased for the opportunity this partnership provides.

“Election Day is an essential time for everyone’s voice to be heard,” Gensler said. “We appreciate the Tarrant County Commissioners funding this initiative to encourage voter participation.”

The seven transit services included in the program are Trinity Metro’s fixed-route bus, TEXRail, ACCESS paratransit, Tarrant County Transportation Services (TCTS), and Northeast Transportation Services (NETS), and 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. Visit the list of polling places served by Trinity Metro.

To use Via’s on-demand service in Arlington to vote on Election Day, riders simply download Via’s app and enter the address of a Vote Center within Via’s service area 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.

For questions about Trinity Metro’s services, call 817-215-8600.

 

TRE bus bridge planned for Saturday, Oct. 26

During a construction project on Saturday, Oct. 26, buses will be used in place of Trinity Railway Express (TRE) trains between the Richland Hills Station and Fort Worth Central Station. The bus bridge will be in effect all day for TRE trains.

Trinity Metro TEXRail will provide service between Fort Worth Central Station and Fort Worth T&P Station. Passengers should allow additional time beyond their normal commuting schedule if planning to use these stations.

 

Trinity Metro Medical Clinic opening Sept. 10

Patient being examed at Trinity Metro Medial Clinic

(FORT WORTH, TX – Sept. 5, 2019) – Trinity Metro is offering an exciting new benefit to help employees stay healthy – an onsite medical clinic that provides everything from flu shots to urgent care. Employees and media will get a preview of the facility during two open houses on Monday, Sept. 9. The first will be 9-11 a.m. and the second will be 1-3 p.m. at Trinity Metro’s site at 1600 E. Lancaster Ave.

The Trinity Metro Medical Clinic is located inside the maintenance and operations facility in a space that was formerly used as the agency’s print shop. The clinic will open for patient care on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Designed to provide convenient and timely medical care, the clinic will provide access to all employees and covered dependents, and will meePatient getting lab work at Trinity Metro Medial Clinict the needs for employees who do not have a primary care doctor.

“An essential component of a healthy lifestyle is having access to convenient, high-quality medical care,” said Trinity Metro President and CEO Bob Baulsir. “Our employees provide daily service for everyone in the community, and we want to help provide this service for them.”

Trinity Metro has partnered with Premise Health, the nation’s leading worksite healthcare provider, to provide employees and eligible dependents with access to a variety services, which include:

• Annual physicals
• Preventive exams
• DOT physicals
• Biometric screenings
• Lab draws
• Allergy & flu shots
• Immunizations
• Acute & urgent care
• Women’s health
• Wellness coaching
• Pediatric care (ages 2 and up)

The Trinity Metro Medical Clinic will be open Monday through Friday, and Premise Health medical professionals will provide all clinic services.

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, 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 from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.

News in Motion: Summer 2019

Coming Soon: Trinity Metro Medical Clinic opening at HRP

Trinity Metro Medical Clinic RoomTrinity Metro is known for getting people where they need to go, and now Trinity Metro is delivering convenient health care to employees and dependents. The new Trinity Metro Medical Clinic will celebrate its grand opening on Monday, Sept. 9, at HRP. The facility will be located in the former print shop area on the first floor.

Trinity Metro has partnered with Premise Health, the nation’s leading worksite healthcare provider, to provide employees and eligible dependents access to a variety services.

“We know our employees stay busy, and it’s often hard to find time to get to a doctor’s appointment,” said Kelli Shields, vice president of human resources. “The on-site medical clinic provides a convenient location for DOT physicals and services ranging from preventive to urgent care.”

Services will include, but not limited to:

  • Annual physicals
  • Preventive exams
  • Biometric screenings
  • DOT physicals
  • Lab draws
  • Allergy & flu shots
  • Immunizations
  • Acute & urgent care
  • Women’s health
  • Wellness coaching
  • Pediatric care (ages 2 and up)

Employees who use the clinic are eligible to earn reward points, and services are free to employees and dependents who are enrolled in the medical plan.

Trinity Metro is also committed to the privacy of medical clinic visitors. All interactions, services, and medical records at the medical clinic will be held in strict confidence. This means that your records will be maintained solely by Premise Health, and they will not be shared with Trinity Metro.

Be on the lookout for more information coming soon about this exciting employee benefit!

 

Now you can catch Trinity Metro TEXRail more often

TEXRail Train riding on elevated trackTrinity Metro TEXRail has been a big hit with customers, and now they are enjoying even more service with 30-minute frequencies during peak hours. The commuter rail line between Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is now operating 73 trains daily instead of the previous tally of 48. The increased service started on Sunday, July 28. TEXRail operates on the same timetable every day of the week.

Another milestone for TEXRail was achieved with the introduction of Spike, the eighth train set manufactured by Stadler in Salt Lake City, Utah. The train got its name because it was featured at the grand opening celebration for Stadler’s new facility in May. The grand opening event coincided with the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike celebration, which marked the historic spike that joined the rails for the First Transcontinental Railroad.

If you see Spike out on the route, you’ll see the name emblazoned on the front of the train. In August, Marketing and Communications members rode Spike and encouraged passengers to post photos about their ride on social media. The team also surprised riders with free Spike t-shirts, and promoted Spike through a social media campaign.

For specific information about times and locations, go to the online schedule.

 

Ready to Dash around town?

The Dash Bus

Trinity Metro’s new electric bus, The Dash, has been testing throughout the summer and is almost ready to start service. The route begins operations on Sunday, Sept. 22, and a celebratory launch event will be held on Monday, Sept. 23, at Crockett Row.

The Dash will run from downtown Fort Worth to the city’s cultural district along the 7th Street corridor and will include a stop at the new Dickies Arena. Trinity Metro has four electric buses and a charging station, which were paid for by grant funding provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

The line is a public-private partnership, with funding from community investors. The City of Fort Worth, Blue Zones Project – Fort Worth, Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, and Visit Fort Worth have all made a three-year financial commitment to The Dash.

Other investors include the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum Fort Worth, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Crockett Row, Museum Place and Sheraton Downtown Fort Worth.

The Dash will offer daily service, with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

 

Mercantile ZIPZONE provides first mile/last mile solution

Trinity Metro ZipZone VanTrinity Metro recently introduced a new service to help employees in the Mercantile area get to work. The Mercantile ZIPZONE started July 22, and is helping TEXRail and bus commuters who travel to the Mercantile Center Station connect to their jobs.

After arriving at the station or bus stop, passengers can use the rideshare option to complete their commute. The first-mile/last-mile ride is provided by Via through a contract with Trinity Metro. During the service launch, Trinity Metro is not charging an additional fee for the rideshare option.

The Mercantile ZIPZONE operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Mercantile area employs approximately 18,000 workers.

Trinity Metro partnered with the City of Fort Worth to provide funding for Mercantile ZIPZONE, which is a one-year pilot project. The city has dedicated $500,000, and the remaining $500,000 is part of Trinity Metro’s operating budget.

 

Carla Forman celebrates 40 years of service

Carla Forman HeadshotThis summer, Carla Forman, director of paratransit and contracted services, celebrated her work anniversary of 40 years. To put that in perspective, 1979 is the year that Trivial Pursuit was launched, Pink Floyd released “The Wall” album, and Margaret Thatcher was elected prime minister in the United Kingdom. Jimmy Carter was president, gas was 86 cents a gallon, and you could buy a Toyota Corolla for about $3,700.

We asked Carla to reflect on her time, and to share more about her experience at Trinity Metro and outside of public transportation.

How did you first find out about the company?

I was taking graduate courses at the University of Texas at Arlington, and I saw a Transit Management Intern position listed on the job board.

What do you like most about your current role?

That ACCESS makes a difference in people’s lives.

Any unusual or interesting jobs before coming to the company?

I worked as a dog groomer (did not like the dog bites), and I also worked in a pharmacy.

What is a fun fact we may not know about you?

I swam competitively from elementary school through sixth grade.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I enjoy working on special projects around the house and spending time with my family and dogs.

 

Fitness IQ: Summertime sunscreen health

Michael Whitmarsh HeadshotMost of us know that we’re supposed to use sunscreen, but we don’t all do a good job of knowing how sunscreen actually works. Here are a few things you should know:

  • Sunscreen expires, so make sure you use sunscreen that is not expired for it to be effective at protecting your skin.
  • Use a sunscreen that is a minimum 30 SPF and broad spectrum so that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. A water-resistant variety will help it last longer when swimming or sweating.
  • Reapply every two hours.
  • Remember: You must wait at least 15 minutes for sunscreen to absorb before it starts working. If you apply and immediately go into the sun, you won’t be protected right away.

Summer is one of the best seasons for staying healthy and active. While you’re enjoying the outdoors, make sure to take the proper measures to protect your skin.

 

Trinity Metro TEXRail starts 30-minute frequency on Sunday

(FORT WORTH, TX – July 24, 2019) – Trinity Metro TEXRail has some great news for passengers. The commuter rail line TEXRail Grapevine Main Street Stationbetween Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is about to start operating more trains. On Sunday, July 28, TEXRail will begin offering 10 hours of 30-minute frequency during peak hours, seven days a week. This increases the number of daily trips from 48 to 73.

Bob Baulsir, president and chief executive officer of Trinity Metro, said the increased frequency will enhance the already popular service. “We always intended to increase frequency after six months of service to provide more options for commuters, travelers and other passengers,” he said. “Riders love our service, and we often hear that they are eager for more trains to run.”

Additional schedule changes include time adjustments to accommodate the increased volume of service. For example, a train that currently leaves at 25 minutes past the hour will now leave at 43 minutes past the hour. Visitors to Downtown Fort Worth and Fort Worth Stockyards will enjoy later service eastbound to DFW Airport, with the last train leaving Fort Worth Central Station at 12:47 a.m. (currently 11:30 p.m.) and leaving North Side Station at 12:55 a.m. (currently 11:38 p.m.). TEXRail’s first departure from DFW Airport to Fort Worth will be at 4:40 a.m. (currently 4:55 a.m.). Passengers should consult the online schedule prior to departure.

 TEXRail Mercantile Station
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 the sole owner and operator of TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.