tracking pixel

Nearly 6,000 voters rode to the polls for free

(Nov. 17, 2020) – In a year of record voter turnout, there were more than 5,800 trips to the polls under a program funded by Tarrant County.

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

A total of 5,562 trips were on Trinity Metro’s bus routes, plus another 24 on the agency’s ACCESS paratransit and ZIPZONE, Arlington’s Via and Handitran had a total of 182 trips, Northeast Transportation Services (NETS), had 56 trips and Tarrant County Transportation Services (TCTS) had 16.

“We wanted to do everything we could to encourage Tarrant County residents to get out and vote,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley. “I am pleased to see that so many people took advantage of Tarrant County’s offer of a free ride to the polls.”

Bob Baulsir, president and CEO of Trinity Metro, applauded the partnership for the successful program.

“Voting is such an important right, and we really appreciate the Tarrant County Commissioners for providing the funding for these free rides.”

Thanksgiving holiday service

Trinity Metro will be operating some services on their usual schedules and others on limited operations during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Next steps for A Better Connection

(FORT WORTH, TX – Nov. 11, 2020) – As Trinity Metro continues working toward redesigning its bus network to create A Better Connection (ABC), the agency is hosting a series of public meetings to keep everyone updated and to generate more input. Trinity Metro is now considering three options for redesigning the bus network without increasing the agency’s operating budget.

“We’re asking the public to help us weigh the options,” said President & CEO Bob Baulsir. “We can simplify the bus system and serve some new areas or we could increase frequency to more of the network. Another choice is to add more on-demand service instead of hourly routes.”

Board Chairman Jeff Davis said, “Now is the time to take a thoughtful look at how we want our transportation services to better serve the community.”

The meetings will be held via Facebook Live and continue through Dec. 9.

Facebook Live sessions

6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11

11 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 (Spanish)

12-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18

6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2

12-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9

ABC key elements

The bus system redesign is intended to make substantial improvements by reviewing the entire network and focusing on five key trade-offs. Through the earlier rounds of research and feedback, Trinity Metro has created three options for the redesign:

  • System Simplification – consistent, all-day service on straighter and simpler routes with some new service areas.
  • Walk More, Wait Less – increased frequency to more of the network.
  • More ZIPZONEs – more on-demand ZIPZONE options instead of hourly neighborhood routes.

Visit the Trinity Metro website for more details about ABC.

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, ACCESS paratransit, ZIPZONEs, 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.

 

TRE returns to regular weekday service on Oct. 19

Beginning Monday, Oct, 19, the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will return to pre-pandemic service levels. The Saturday schedule remains unchanged.

For the safety of our customers, the TRE will continue our enhanced cleaning protocols, including the use of hospital-grade spray disinfectant, foaming germicidal cleaner and disinfecting wipes on all high-touch surfaces. Face coverings over both the mouth and nose will continue to be required when riding TRE Services. You can find more information about how the TRE is working to keep our riders safe on the TRE website

Additional details on the October service changes may be found on the rider alerts page of the TRE website. TRE is jointly owned and operated by Trinity Metro and DART.

 

Contact:        

Laura Hanna, Trinity Metro

817.215.8973

Gordon Shattles, DART

214.749.3010

Mark A. Ball, DART

214.749.3295