DART's Modern Rollout, Fantastic Annual Luncheon, and New Transit App!

News & Updates

October 6, 2025 Issue

Transit Coalition of North Texas Celebrates a Successful

2025 Annual Luncheon

The Transit Coalition of North Texas welcomed a record turnout at its Annual Luncheon, held at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel in Irving.

The event featured a dynamic panel of regional transit leaders—Paul Cristina, President & CEO of DCTA; Richard Andreski, President & CEO of Trinity Metro; and Gary Slagel, Chair of DART—moderated by Mike Brennan, Executive Director of Fort Worth's Near Southside, Inc. The discussion covered everything from emerging technologies to the transit mindset that the FIFA World Cup will bring to North Texas. Panelists also highlighted steps their agencies are taking to improve safety and security—aligning with federal priorities—and emphasized the importance of advancing the region’s Transit 2.0 strategic planning efforts.

The program opened with welcoming remarks and recognition of elected officials by TCNT Board Chair Anne Crews, VP of Public Affairs at Mary Kay Global. Attendees also heard from Shane Wade, Senior VP at STV, who spoke to the business community’s strong support for public transit.

This successful event would not have been possible without the commitment of our partners, supporters, and sponsors. Together, we’re moving transit forward in North Texas.

DART Begins Rollout of 476 New Buses Across Dallas Metroplex

masstransitmag.com

The new 30- and 40-foot GILLIG CNG buses will come in batches and enter passenger service in November.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) received two buses of its new 476-bus fleet, part of a modernization program to improve the entire transit system for its riders.

DART Transform is focused on upgrades throughout its system, including vehicles, stations, passenger facilities, operating facilities and a unified signaling system. This is part of a broader goal for the agency, DART Point B Strategic Plan, designed to deliver fast, convenient and easy public transit for its ridership.

“We’ve made a strategic commitment to improving our entire transit network with DART Transform and the new buses will be the first major component that every rider will get to experience,” said DART President and CEO Nadine S. Lee. “We can’t wait to see the positive impact these new vehicles will have on our customers as they travel to their next destination with DART.”

T&P Passage Wins International Award for Transforming Downtown Fort Worth Connection

fortworthinc.com

The T&P Passage project, managed by Downtown Fort Worth Inc., has received international recognition for its role in reshaping the connection between downtown and TEXRail/TRE. The initiative earned an Award of Excellence in the 2025 Downtown Achievement Awards, which celebrate outstanding urban place management projects worldwide.

A jury of peer professionals reviewed, deliberated, and evaluated entries before selecting the T&P Passage for its exceptional response to an urban place management challenge. The award highlights projects that demonstrate strong industry knowledge while exceeding jury criteria.

The T&P Passage project improves the vital link between downtown and the TEXRail and TRE platforms at the southern terminal. Enhancements include bold streetside signage, an illuminated plaza and walkway, clear wayfinding, public art, and historic displays. These features elevate the first and last impressions of Fort Worth for commuters, visitors, and travelers, emphasizing the city’s vibrancy, hospitality, and heritage.

Beyond transportation, the project reinforces Fort Worth’s cultural identity. Storytelling elements along the route highlight key railroad moments, from the construction of the grand Art Deco T&P building to imagery of the people who built and passed through the station.

How DCTA’s New Transit Royale App is Changing the Way Denton County Travels

travelandtourworld.com

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) has launched a new deluxe version of its Transit app called Transit Royale, which is meant to change how Denton, Lewisville, and Highland Village residents use public transportation. The September 28, 2025 announcement features GoZone on-demand micro-transit, which is incorporated directly into the app, enabling users to plan trips, track vehicles, and manage transfers all from one platform.

Transit Royale aims to make local transit more convenient and efficient. The app now allows users to track their rides in real time, view upcoming departure times, and access a customisable trip planner. This app upgrade introduces a set of exciting new features that will transform everyday travel into a smarter, more engaging experience for all riders.

Key features include live tracking of vehicles, the ability to plan routes across all DCTA service options, and options to personalize the app with unique themes and icons. These upgrades make it easier for commuters to stay on top of their travel plans, even while on the move, by enabling them to make informed decisions about their journeys in real time. Users can also access a fun leaderboard experience with customizable emojis and nicknames.

Trinity Metro Temporarily Pulls Blue Line Buses Amid Manufacturer Recall

fortworthbusiness.com

Trinity Metro is committed to delivering on its promise of providing safe, simple, and innovative mobility solutions for our community. In light of a recall issued by the manufacturer of the Blue Line electric buses (New Flyer, Inc), Trinity Metro has made the proactive decision to temporarily remove its fleet of Blue buses from service. This decision reflects Trinity Metro’s commitment to safety and transparency.

The recall, which impacts certain New Flyer electric bus models manufactured between 2019 and 2025, was issued due to a potential risk of battery cell short circuits and overheating. Earlier this year, four of Trinity Metro’s six New Flyer electric buses underwent battery cell upgrades, which may have mitigated the issue. However, Trinity Metro is taking this extra step to confirm the impact on its buses and ensure the highest level of safety for our customers and team members.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org