(FORT WORTH, TEXAS) Feb. 26, 2019 – As an innovative way to help North Texans reach their destinations, Trinity Metro is providing ZIPZONE, a first mile/last mile transportation solution, in select service areas.
The first area Trinity Metro is offering the new ZIPZONE service is in the Alliance corridor. Alliance ZIPZONE is the result of a regional partnership with the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), allowing riders to connect with the North Texas Xpress that operates between downtown Fort Worth and Alliance and Denton. Alliance ZIPZONE replaces the Alliance Link, a first mile/last mile pilot started by Toyota. That pilot ended in January 2019.
“When we started North Texas Xpress with DCTA in Fall 2016, we knew the bus route would be a good choice for employees in the Alliance area,” said Trinity Metro President/CEO Paul Ballard. “Now we’re taking it one step further to help Alliance employees arrive at work without having to drive.”
Alliance Texas, a Hillwood development that is celebrating 30 years, is home to more than 500 companies and more than 61,000 jobs. The economic impact of Alliance Texas is estimated to exceed $7 billion.
“Providing connectivity for passengers is essential,” Ballard said. “The addition of our Alliance ZIPZONE is another incentive for employees who work in this area to leave their cars at home.”
Alliance ZIPZONE service is provided through Lyft, an on-demand transportation company. Trinity Metro passengers can conveniently use the Lyft app, entering a specific code to gain access to the first mile/last mile rides. Hours of operation are 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends, hours are from 5:30-7:30 a.m. and 4-7:30 p.m.
Trinity Metro is currently considering implementing ZIPZONE in other parts of its service areas. “It’s an attractive solution for helping riders get to their final destination,” Ballard said.
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.