Category: News Release

A new commuter rail line that will run from downtown Fort Worth to the airport kicked off construction in bold fashion – with three groundbreakings in one day. Fort Worth Transportation Authority’s TEXRail project celebrated at Fort Worth’s historic Texas & Pacific Station, which will be the beginning of the route, as well as in Grapevine and North Richland Hills.

“We are delighted to have this project underway,” said Paul Ballard, president/CEO of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. “TEXRail is a tremendous achievement for our region and our customers.”

TEXRail’s 27-mile line will go through Fort Worth’s four stations and five others, including two in North Richland Hills and one in Grapevine. Service will begin in late 2018, and more than 9,000 daily riders are expected by the end of the first year of operation. By 2035, that number is projected to grow to 14,000 riders.

Bob Baulsir, vice president of railroads and procurement, said riding TEXRail will be hard to resist. “Once people have the chance to see how smooth and elegant this Stadler vehicle is, they will see that it’s the way to go. Why suffer through white-knuckle driving in traffic when you can sit back and enjoy the ride?”

TEXRail will operate 44 diesel multiple unit (DMU) passenger trains per day. The bidirectional train has the engine in the middle and the operator sits at either end of the DMU.

“One of the greatest features of TEXRail is that we’ll have positive train control for enhanced safety,” Baulsir said. “These trains feature state-of-art technology that will provide a great rider experience.”

Ballard said he is excited for all the project will bring with it. “We have transit-oriented development planned throughout the region, from residential living to retail to boutique hotels,” he said. “Public transportation has a very bright future in North Texas.”

This article was published in Passenger Transport on August 25, 2016.

Detra Whitmore has been promoted from Director of Administration to Vice President of Administration. In this new role, she will oversee the planning department, customer service and other administrative staff. She also manages the office of the Board of Directors.

Detra joined the Fort Worth Transportation Authority in 2005 and has been essential in serving as a liaison between the Board of Directors and staff as well as working with the president’s office and the administration.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) has won a national award for its Transit Master Plan campaign, which included a year of gathering community input before developing the plan. The Grand Prize is in the category of Campaigns to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding.

The AdWheel Awards, presented by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), are for communications and marketing efforts and to showcase the importance of those efforts in the industry.

FWTA’s entry encompassed the information gathering, development and implementation plans. The process included surveys, community focus groups, Twitter town halls and a specially designed bus that would visit community events. The bus was equipped with laptops for visitors to take the survey.

“We made great efforts to make it convenient for participants to be involved in the process,” said Paul J Ballard, president/CEO of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority. “We had a master plan website and drove traffic to that site through an extensive ad campaign and community awareness endeavors.”

After the plan was formulated, FWTA published a four-page insert in the Star-Telegram to further drive awareness and to spotlight the funding needs for implementation. Since unveiling the plan, senior leaders have been meeting with elected officials and community leaders, and have been discussing partnerships and opportunities for providing new service.

“I’d like to thank our principal consultant, Nelson\Nygaard, for their efforts throughout the master plan process,” Ballard said. “They were essential to the campaign. Credit also goes to all of our staff who have worked diligently on this project and to the Pavlov agency, which developed the design for our marketing materials and for the newspaper insert.”

AdWheel Awards winners will be honored during a ceremony in California in September during APTA’s annual meeting.

Michael Allen Logan, a member of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) Board of Directors since 2015, resigned today.

“I’d like to thank Mike for his service to our board,” said FWTA Board Chair Scott Mahaffey. “He has been a strong advocate of public transportation and the implementation of our master plan.”

Logan is a longtime resident of Richland Hills, where he served on the city council from 1980 to 1990 and was mayor pro-tem from 1986 to 1989.

Choosing public transportation for your daily commute can rack up nearly $10,000 in annual savings, according to the new Transit Savings Report from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The study shows an average annual savings of $9.686 for someone who stops commuting by car and opts for public transit.

Cost savings, convenience and a preference for public transit are among the reasons travelers are choosing the Fort Worth Transportation Authority’s EasyRide commuter program.

“Fort Worth has a growing millennial population, and they prefer public transit for commuting to work or getting around town,” said Rebecca Montgomery, vice president of governmental relations, who touts the program as a win-win for employers and employees.

“We partner with businesses to make it convenient and economical to use public transportation,” she said. “For employers who pay for transit pass expenses, they receive a tax deduction. Plus, program participants get a 25 percent discount from us.”

Companies participating in the EasyRide program include American Airlines, City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Club, JP Morgan Chase, JPS Health Network, Oncor, XTO Energy and the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

Participants in EasyRide can choose services from the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, Trinity Railway Express, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and Denton County Transportation Authority.

For more information on the program, send an email to EasyRide@ridetm.org or go to https://ridetrinitymetro.org/easyride.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) & Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) invite public involvement on proposed improved TRE service and associated route changes, which are planned to begin Oct. 24. Improvements include:
– increasing weekday peak period frequency to 30 minutes;
– improving midday, evening and Saturday frequency between Dallas and Fort Worth to 60 minutes;
– providing later Friday and Saturday service between Dallas and Fort Worth; and
– starting Saturday service three hours earlier.
Changes to bus routes 30-CentrePort, 61-Normandale, 65-South Park-and-Ride and
111-Bell Shuttle are also being proposed to better match the proposed TRE schedule.

Open House/Information Sessions

Noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6
Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) 1001 Jones St., Fort Worth, TX 76102

6:30 p.m. Monday Aug. 8

Irving City Hall, Council Chamber, 825 W. Irving Blvd., Irving, TX 75060

Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11

Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) 1001 Jones St., Fort Worth, TX 76102

 

If you would like to leave a comment or suggestion regarding this proposed TRE service, please provide comments in one of four ways:
– Attend an information session.
– Send email to Tboard@fwta.org.
– Write to FWTA, 801 Cherry Street, Suite 850, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, to attention of Detra Whitmore.
– Call FWTA’s Comment Line, 817-215-8793.
If you would like someone to call you back, please be sure to leave a phone number where you can be reached during the day. For all other matters, please call Customer Service at 817-215-8600.

ITC is wheelchair accessible. For accommodations, for hearing or sight interpretive services, please contact Melanie Kroeker at (817) 215-8621 at least 48 hours in advance.

 

Propuesta de cambios en el Servicio de Trinity Railway Express (TRE) a partir del 24 de octubre de 2016

La Autoridad de Transporte de Fort Worth (Fort Worth Transportation Authority, FWTA) y el Servicio de Tránsito Rápido del Área de Dallas (Dallas Area Rapid Transit, DART) invitan al público a participar en la propuesta de mejora del servicio y cambio de rutas asociadas de TRE. Las mejoras incluyen:

– Mejorar a 30 minutos la frecuencia del servicio durante las horas pico los días de semana.
– Mejorar a 60 minutos la frecuencia del servicio a mediodía, en la noche y los sábados, entre Dallas y Fort Worth.
– Extender el horario del servicio los viernes y sábados, entre Dallas y Fort Worth; y
– Comenzar el servicio tres horas antes los días sábado.

También se propone cambiar las rutas de autobuses 30-CentrePort, 61-Normandale, 65-South Park-and-Ride y 111-Bell Shuttle, para que se adapten mejor al horario propuesto para el TRE.

 La información estará disponible para su revisión y comentarios durante estos horarios:

Reunión pública – Sesiones informativas

Lunes 8 de agosto, 6:30 p.m.

Lugar: Irving City Hall, Council Chamber, 825 W. Irving Blvd., Irving, TX 75060

Sábado 6 de agosto, de mediodía a 1 p.m.
y jueves 11 de agosto, de mediodía a 1 p.m.

Lugar: Intermodal Transportation Center, ITC 1001 Jones St., Fort Worth, TX 76102

Para comentarios o sugerencias en relación con este servicio propuesto de TRE, le agradecemos que nos haga llegar sus comentarios mediante una de estas cuatro maneras:

– Asistir a una sesión informativa.
– Enviar un correo electrónico a Tboard@fwta.org.
– Escribir a FWTA, 801 Cherry Street, Suite 850, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, a la atención de Detra Whitmore.
– Llamar a la línea de sugerencias de la FWTA, 817-215-8793.

Si desea que le devolvamos la llamada, asegúrese de dejarnos un número telefónico donde podamos contactarle durante el día. Para cualquier otro asunto, llame a Atención al Cliente al 817-215-8600.

El ITC cuenta con acceso para personas en sillas de ruedas. Para servicios de traducción o servicios de interpretación para personas con dificultades auditivas o visuales, comuníquese con el departamento de Recursos Humanos por el 817-215-8621, con 24 horas de antelación a la reunión.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) invites public involvement and comment regarding proposed new service along Mansfield Highway (Route 28).

Public Meetings

Wednesday, Aug. 10            Magnolia at Village Creek
6 p.m.                                    5151 Mansfield Highway
Fort Worth, TX 76119

Thursday, Aug. 11                Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC)
5:30 p.m.                              1001 Jones Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102

FWTA is proposing a new route, effective Sept. 26, between Walmart/Renaissance Square and Mansfield Highway and E. Loop 820. The route would operate primarily on Mansfield Highway, Wichita Street and Mitchell Boulevard. Buses would operate weekdays hourly between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Official Public Hearing to receive comments will be held at ITC on Aug. 11, immediately after the public meeting. You do not need to be present to provide comments.

If you would like to leave a comment or suggestion regarding the proposed new bus route, please provide comments in one of four ways:

– Attend either public meeting
– Email to Tboard@fwta.org
– Write to FWTA, 801 Cherry Street, Suite 850, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, to attention of Detra Whitmore.
– Call FWTA’s Comment Line, 817-215-8793

If you would like someone to call you back, please be sure to leave a phone number where you can be reached during the day.  For all other matters, please call Customer Service at 817-215-8600.

ITC is wheelchair accessible. For accommodations, for hearing or sight interpretive services, please contact Melanie Kroeker at (817) 215-8621 at least 48 hours in advance.

 

Propuesta de nueva ruta de autobús, en vigencia a partir del 26 de septiembre de 2016

La Autoridad de Transporte de Fort Worth (Fort Worth Transportation Authority, FWTA) invita al público a participar y comentar la propuesta del nuevo servicio a lo largo de Mansfield Highway (Ruta 28).

Reuniones públicas

Miércoles 10 de agosto
6 p.m.
Magnolia en Village Creek
5151 Mansfield Highway
Fort Worth, TX 76119

Jueves 11 de agosto
5:30 p.m.
Centro de Transporte Intermodal (Intermodal Transportation Center, ITC)
1001 Jones Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102

La FWTA propone una ruta nueva, en vigencia a partir del 26 de septiembre, entre Walmart/Renaissance Square y Mansfield Highway y E. Loop 820. La ruta operará principalmente en Mansfield Highway, Wichita Street y Mitchell Boulevard. Los autobuses trabajarán los días de semana, cada hora entre las 6:00 a.m. y las 7:00 p.m.

La audiencia pública oficial para recibir sus comentarios tendrá lugar en el ITC, el 11 de agosto, inmediatamente después de la reunión pública. No es necesario estar presente para ofrecernos sus comentarios.

Para comentarios o sugerencias en relación con la ruta nueva de autobús propuesta, le agradecemos que nos haga llegar sus comentarios mediante una de estas cuatro maneras:

 

– Asistir a una reunión pública.
– Enviar un correo electrónico a Tboard@fwta.org.
– Escribir a FWTA, 801 Cherry Street, Suite 850, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, a la atención de Detra Whitmore.
– Llamar a la Línea de sugerencias de la FWTA, 817-215-8793.

 

Si desea que le devolvamos la llamada, asegúrese de dejarnos un número telefónico donde podamos contactarle durante el día. Para cualquier otro asunto, llame a Atención al Cliente al 817-215-8600.

El ITC cuenta con acceso para personas en sillas de ruedas. Para servicios de traducción o servicios de interpretación para personas con dificultades auditivas o visuales, comuníquese con el departamento de Recursos Humanos de La “T” al 817-215-8621, con 24 horas de antelación a la reunión.

On June 27, the Federal Transit Administration awarded a Letter of No Prejudice (LONP) to the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) for TEX Rail, which means that construction for the 27-mile commuter rail can break ground next month.

The LONP authorizes FWTA to proceed with procurement of all materials and construction activities planned for the first six months.

“We are delighted to receive the Letter of No Prejudice today,” said President/CEO Paul Ballard. “We can now secure the prime contract and all subcontracts while locking in current pricing. This has been a long journey and we can’t wait to get started on construction next month.”

Bob Baulsir, vice president of railroads and procurement, said the LONP means FWTA can start spending the local funding it has in reserves while awaiting the Full Funding Grant Agreement. “This is a great day for TEX Rail and FWTA – and it’s the beginning of a great rail system that will serve thousands in our region.”

TEX Rail 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 commuter rail line, which will begin service in late 2018, is projected to serve more than 8,000 daily riders at nine stations by the end of the first year of operation. By 2035, nearly 14,000 daily riders are projected to ride the system.

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (FWTA) invites public involvement and comment regarding proposed bus service changes in Fort Worth to include new service to Alliance and Denton.

FWTA, in cooperation with the Denton County Transportation Authority, is proposing to provide bus service from the Intermodal Transportation Center in downtown Fort Worth to the University of North Texas in Denton on weekdays. An additional stop would be made at FWTA’s North Park-n-Ride at 10157 North Freeway where up to 200 parking spaces are available for commuters. Buses would operate between about 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. with trips departing every 90 minutes.

Anyone who wants to provide input can do so in one of four ways:

Email Tboard@fwta.org

Write to FWTA, 801 Cherry Street, Suite 850, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, to the attention of Detra Whitmore.

Call FWTA’s Comment Line, 817-215-8793.

Attend a public meeting. FWTA will host three public meetings June 14-16 and a public hearing on June 16.

Meeting Details

Tuesday, June 14

Noon, Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), Lewisville Administrative Office,1955 Lakeway Drive, Suite 260, Lewisville, TX 75057

Wednesday, June 15

7 p.m., North Park YMCA, 9100 N. Beach Street, Fort Worth, TX 76244

Thursday, June 16

6 p.m., Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), 1001 Jones Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102

The public hearing to receive comments will immediately follow the public meeting at the ITC on June 16.

Visit www.FWTA.org for information on the proposed changes. The deadline for submitting comments by email, phone or mail is 5 p.m. Friday, June 17.

New bus schedules touting an easier-to-read format and a size that’s just right to put in your pocket are available at the Intermodal Transportation Center, new downtown customer service center, Tarrant County College’s South Campus and Trinity River Campus, and onboard buses. Schedules are also posted online at https://ridetrinitymetro.org/.

Route adjustments

Service changes impact six routes, all of which are weekday routes, unless otherwise noted:

Route 9 Ramey/Vickery – Route will use Thrall Street to East Rosedale

Route 12 Greenway – Morning service will end at 8:45 a.m. (Friday)

Route 17 Central – Bus will leave 18^th and Harrington at 54 minutes past the hour.

Route 32 Bryant Irvin – Adding an ADA-compliant bus stop on Bryant Irvin by JPS for northbound service. Only southbound buses will use the turnaround at JPS. Minor time adjustments at stops for JPS and Camp Bowie.

Route 61 Normandale Express – Minor adjustments for second “To Downtown” trip to leave 1-4 minutes earlier to ensure connections at Ridgmar Mall.

Route 65 South Park & Ride Express – Adding a beginning time point at the I-35 service road and Altamesa.