DART's Safety Improvements, Trinity Metro's CFO & DCTA's Board is Making Plans

News & Updates

July 28, 2023 Issue

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND

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.

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New DART Program to Address Homeless, Mentally Ill Looks Promising

dallasnews.com

Whether you ride DART buses and trains every day or just once in a while, you’ve probably encountered homeless passengers or riders with mental health issues talking to themselves or yelling at other riders. It’s upsetting to see fellow residents struggling, especially if you don’t know how to help them while making sure you reach your destination safely.

That’s why it’s encouraging that Dallas Area Rapid Transit plans to beta test a program next month to help their most vulnerable passengers. The new multi-disciplinary response team is similar to the Dallas Police Department’s RIGHT Care program and will have DART police officers, paramedics and mental health clinicians on hand to provide treatment and refer passengers to homeless shelters.

Trinity Metro Names Greg Jordan as CFO

fortworthbusiness.com

Trinity Metro has named city of Grapevine CFO Greg Jordan as chief financial officer of the transit service. Jordan, who grew up in Fort Worth and began his career in budget and finance with the city of Fort Worth, became Grapevine’s CFO in 2015. In that position he played a critical role in creating an award-winning transit-oriented development project centered on TEXRail’s Grapevine/Main Street Station, Trinity Metro said in a news release.

Selected by Trinity Metro after a nationwide search, Jordan will oversee all financial operations and real estate transactions and will assist Trinity Metro in charting a future that includes innovations in operations, fare collection and long-term funding strategies, the release said.

Here’s How You Can Weigh in On Texas’ $100B Transportation Plan

communityimpact.com

The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking public input on its $100 billion plan to fund transportation projects across the state for the next 10 years.

The plan, called the Unified Transportation Program, is updated annually. Projects selected for the UTP focus on safety improvements, congestion, connectivity and road preservation, according to a news release. TxDOT will also invest in public transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, freight, international trade, and bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

According to the release, the 2024 UTP will provide a record amount of funding for construction and improvements across Texas. The 2023 plan totaled $85 million.

The proposed plan would result in more funding for “vital areas,” such as safety, energy, border infrastructure, and connectivity between rural and urban areas, Community Impact previously reported.

Largest Transit-Oriented Development in DFW Breaks Ground in Carrollton

northdallasgazette.com

The City of Carrollton and its partners broke ground on EVIVA Trinity Mills, a five-story mixed-use blend of residential and retail/restaurant spaces within the vibrant and sustainable urban development at Trinity Mills Station.

EVIVA Trinity Mills is an important part of a 25-acre Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) made possible through a public/private partnership between the City of Carrollton, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), The Integral Group developers, and Koa Partners. The building will feature more than 430 multi-family units and live/work spaces.

“This is the third monumental milestone of the catalyst Phase I development,” Carrollton Urban Development Director Ravi Shah said. “The first milestone was the approval in April 2020 for a 125,000-square foot, six-story class A office structure to serve as the marquee building within the new development; and the second was the three-acre green park esplanade”

DCTA to Discuss Collin County Rides Program, Transit-Oriented Development Study

communityimpact.com

The Denton County Transportation Authority’s board of directors is expected to discuss the Collin County Rides program and a transit-oriented development study during an upcoming meeting July 27.

The transportation authority has agreed to assess taking over the Collin County Rides program after being approached by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, according to the July 27 agenda. The item is for discussion only and will provide an “update on the status of discussions regarding the program.”

Earlier in July, the Regional Transportation Council approved up to $1.8 million for continuing the program in Allen and Fairview after Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s contract for the program is set to expire later this year. The program provides transit services for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Grapevine Unwraps Tickets to North Pole Express and More Holiday Events - and They're Going Fast

fortworth.culturemap.com

All aboard the North Pole Express - that is, if you snag your tickets in time. Grapevine - aka "The Christmas Capital of Texas" - put tickets for all their 2023 holiday festivities on sale at 10 am July 25, and within minutes they were flying off shelves faster than Santa's sleigh, representatives say.

July 25 is a full five months before Christmas, but Dallas-Fort Worth is already filled with Yuletide spirit (as evidence by the number of Christmas in July) events around town this month.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org