DART's Electrifying, Let Ms. Molly Show You Around, & Last Week to Register for Luncheon

News & Updates

September 8, 2023 Issue

LAST WEEK TO REGISTER!!

September 22, 2023, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM --TCNT Annual Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport, with Congressional Update and Transit CEO Panel Discussion.

Registration Details

DART Installs Electric Vehicle Chargers in Southern Dallas County Transit Centers

dallasnews.com

Dallas Area Rapid Transit installed its first electric vehicle charging stations last week in an effort to embrace its mission of sustainability and offer more environmentally friendly options to riders.

The transit agency piloted two dual charging ports, one each at the Glenn Heights Park & Ride in southern Dallas County and Illinois Station in east Oak Cliff. The charging stations, which can charge up to four cars between them, are free to the public until the end of next August, and being a DART rider is not necessary to use them, spokesman Gordon Shattles said.

What Does it Cost to Park at the 2023 State Fair of Texas? Here’s What You Need to Know

star-telegram.com

The State Fair of Texas is a fun family activity, but what’s not is finding parking at the fairgrounds.

Visitors have another month and a half before the 137th State Fair of Texas. The 24 consecutive days of Texas-sized fun begins Sept. 29 and ends Oct. 22 at Fair Park in Dallas, 3809 Grand Ave. Here’s what to know about parking and public transportation at the fair:

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CAN I TAKE THE TRAIN TO THE STATE FAIR?

Patrons can avoid any parking headaches by taking the train from Fort Worth to Dallas.

The Trinity Railway Express passengers can ride the train from Fort Worth to Dallas’ Victory Station. Passengers can get on the TRE train in Fort Worth at Central Station at 1001 Jones St. or T&P Station at 221 W. Lancaster Ave.

Once getting to Victory Station in Dallas, there are two Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Rail Green Line stations that connect to the fairgrounds. The Fair Park station at 3710 Parry Ave. is located right near the state fair entrance and the MLK, Jr. station at 1412 S. Trunk Ave., is only a few blocks away from the fair.

Both Green Line stations will drop you off within walking distance of the fairground. Once your fair day is over, simply hop back on the Green Line to Victory Station and that will lead back to Fort Worth.

DART's 12th Street Station Goes Vertical in Downtown Plano

starlocalmedia.com

Commuters driving through downtown Plano may have noticed construction at K Avenue and 12th Street.

Beginning in late August, DART’s 12th Street Station began going vertical, bringing North Texas one station closer to the long-awaited Silver Line. With the Red and Orange lines running through Plano, the 12th Street Station aims to help connect the two north-south lines through DART’s new Silver Line, the first east-west line. The station will be broken up into an at-grade and an elevated platform, with 313 parking places, five DART bus bays and easy access to the future Cotton Belt Regional Trail.

“The idea to add three new stations in Plano has really been a push for us,” DART External Relations Director Gordon Shattles said.

Shattles added that the station will help the city’s efforts in growing downtown redevelopment south along K Avenue.

Guide to Downtown Fort Worth: What to See & Do in This Hub for Business, Culture and Dining

star-telegram.com

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HOW TO GET AROUND

Trinity Metro — is a regional transportation system serving Tarrant County. It includes buses, trains and targeted commuter transportation.

Molly The Trolley — Molly the Trolley is a quick and convenient way to travel around downtown Fort Worth. The Molly route travels from the Fort Worth Convention Center to Sundance Square 7 days a week. Service runs 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily. Time between trolleys is approximately 15 minutes.

Fort Worth Bike Sharing — This program is operated with equipment by BCycle. The concept began at the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (now Trinity Metro), which received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration to help cover capital costs. Fort Worth Bike Sharing launched the system on Earth Day, April 22, 2013 and has stations across Downtown, the Cultural District, the Trinity Trails, the Stockyards, Near Southside, Near Eastside, and on the TCU campus.

DART Board Extends Collin County Rides Program by 4 Months

communityimpact.com

Dallas Area Rapid Transit plans to continue operating the Collin County Rides program for an additional four months after Oct. 1 when services were initially slated to expire.

The Gist

DART’s board of directors approved a resolution to execute agreements with Allen, Fairview and Wylie for extending the program during an Aug. 22 meeting. Under the agreements, DART will provide services through January before the Denton County Transportation Authority is expected to take over the program.

The extension will be funded by the three municipalities receiving service, according to a staff presentation.

DCTA Approves $70M Budget, Plus Latest GoZone Numbers and a Potential New Station in Corinth

dentonrc.com

The Denton County Transportation Authority board approved next year’s budget, got an update on GoZone ridership numbers and spoke about the possibility of a new A-train station in Corinth during Thursday’s board meeting.

DCTA’s conversations with Corinth to construct a station there have been up and down in the past, without resolution. Now, DCTA CEO Paul Cristina says it’s back on the table.

According to the board agenda packet, the 2024 budget will be about $70 million, with expenses net depreciation of $50.3 million, and capital outlay and major maintenance of $35.7 million.

The budget will go into effect on Oct. 1.

While the board approved the budget, other DCTA officials provided updates on additional agency services.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org