(FORT WORTH, TX – Sept. 20, 2019) – Passengers who ride The Dash won’t just get a smooth, quiet ride on Trinity Metro’s new electric bus. They’ll also enjoy complimentary rides through Oct. 31 and special deals at more than 20 vendors along the route, including Crockett Row and the Cultural District.
To celebrate the launch of The Dash, Trinity Metro is hosting a kickoff event at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23, in Crockett Row. Speakers will include State Sen. Beverly Powell, Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes, Council Member Ann Zadeh, Trinity Metro President and CEO Bob Baulsir, Trinity Metro Board Chairman Scott Mahaffey and Rex Colorado, regional sales manager for New Flyer, the electric bus manufacturer. Former Fort Worth Mayor Ken Barr and Dash advocate Brandy O’Quinn will also speak.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will deliver her comments at 9:45 a.m. at Fort Worth Central Station.
“This is an exciting day for Fort Worth and Tarrant County,” Baulsir said. “The Dash will provide a zero-emissions, high-frequency option for daily trips to popular destinations. This public/private partnership is a great example of how groups can work together to provide innovative transit solutions.”
“New Flyer commends Trinity Metro on its evolution to zero-emission mobility, and commitment to improving the quality of life for surrounding communities,” said Chris Stoddart, president of New Flyer. “We’re delighted to support Trinity Metro in its pursuit to providing Forth Worth residents with a cleaner, more livable city.”
How to #dashanddiscover
During the Crockett Row event, Trinity Metro will be giving out #dashanddiscover slap wristbands that are good for great discounts from Crockett Row merchants and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Dash patrons can ride the electric bus and show the distinctive red wristbands for discounts on food, service and entertainment through Oct. 31, 2019. With more than 20 participating vendors, riders can enjoy discounts at multiple locations on the same day.
Fares and service hours
Service begins Sunday, Sept. 22, and fares are complimentary through Oct. 31. Beginning Nov. 1, tickets will be $2 one way or $5 for a day pass, which includes all of Trinity Metro’s bus services, TEXRail, and Trinity Railway Express to CentrePort.
The Dash will operate 9:22 a.m.-10:44 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 9:22 a.m.-12:44 a.m. Friday-Saturday. The full schedule is available online.
The investors
The North Central Texas Council of Governments provided grant funding for the purchase of buses and a charging station. Community investors that have made a three-year financial commitment to The Dash service include the City of Fort Worth, Blue Zones Project – Fort Worth, Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, and Visit Fort Worth.
Other Dash investors include the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Crockett Row, Museum Place, Fort Worth Stock Show and Dickies Arena.
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.