TEXRail on Track, DART's Keeping You Cool, NCTCOG is Asking for Feedback & More

News & Updates

June 23, 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.

Registration Details

TEXRail on Track for Monumental Growth

by Richard Andreski, President & CEO

apta.com

Trinity Metro's 27-Mile commuter rail line between Fort Worth and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport continues to gain momentum and ridership while delivering a premium service experience for our customers. After beginning operations in January 2019, TEXRail celebrated its 2 millionth rider over Memorial Day weekend.

TEX Rail is leading Trinity Metro's ridership recovery following the pandemic, and the agency overall is a leader in the state of Texas with 89 percent of riders returning to buses and trains. We are on track to reach 100 percent by the end of the year.

Leveraging community events and building relationships with transit partners plays an instrumental role in driving ridership. Through marketing sponsorships and cross-promotions, we have been able to attract new riders to TexRail during festivals and large regional events.

DART Agreement Gets Dallas $90M in Transportation Funding

communityimpact.com

Thanks to a new agreement between Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the city of Dallas, the city has received millions in excess funding for key transportation infrastructure projects, such as ADA-compliant ramps at DART stations and sidewalk improvements.

Dallas City Council voted to enter into the agreement with DART on June 14, ending a months-long battle between the entities. The agreement allows the city to accept about $90 million in excess sales tax revenue from the transit agency.

Because of an influx of federal COVID-19 relief money, DART had $214.3 million in leftover sales tax revenue, which the agency decided to allocate to its 13 member cities.

City of Plano Launches Online Survey, Plans Open House for DART Silver Line Area Plan

planomagazine.com

The City of Plano is asking residents to provide feedback in an online survey or upcoming public open house regarding the DART Silver Line Station Areas Plan.

The DART Silver Line plans to connect Plano to Fort Worth as part of the DART 2030 Transit System Plan that was approved in 2006. The 26-mile silver line would serve Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell and Grapevine and connect to the Orange Line, Green Line, Red Line, Trinity Metro’s TEXrail and airlines at DFW airport.

Plano’s Silver Line Station Areas Plan focuses on 12th Street Station and Shiloh Road Station.

Ahead of the implementation of the DART line, Plano is hosting a Public Open House on Wednesday, June 28 from 5;30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sam Johnson Recreation Center for residents to provide feedback on desired land use, development patterns, character and aesthetics of the areas surrounding the incoming stations. An online survey is also available.

The survey prompts residents, commuters or other interested parties to discuss their interest in the stations and express any concerns.

DART Looks to Beat Extreme Heat by Opening Up 7 New Cooling Centers

masstransitmag.com

It’s only expected to get hotter in North Texas this summer, and Dallas Area Rapid Transit is preparing to keep riders cool in the face of that heat by opening some new air-conditioned cooling centers starting Friday.

In Dallas-Fort Worth, factors like humidity and air temperature contribute to the heat feeling worse than usual, driving the heat index well over 100 degrees. Beginning this weekend, temperatures are expected to climb to the high 90s.

“As weather gets worse, we definitely make sure all of our many transit centers are open,” said Gordon Shattles, DART spokesman.

A total of 18 cooling centers, most of which already operate as regular transit centers, will now be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

NCTCOG Provides Updates on Transportation Initiatives, Asks for Feedback

communityimpact.com

The North Central Texas Council of Governments is accepting public input on several transportation initiatives after holding a public meeting June 12.

During the meeting, council staff outlined details on several programs and plans related to transportation, climate pollution and automated transportation systems that are meant to improve the region’s quality of life. A recording of the meeting and project presentations can be accessed via the meeting website.

The council is accepting any comments or questions related to the presented projects until 11:59 p.m. July 11. Public input can be submitted in any of the following ways:

Email nctcogJune23@publicinput.com.
Call 855-925-2801 (enter meeting code: 2463).
Text “nctcogJune23” to 855-925-2801.
Send a fax to 817-640-3028.
Send a letter to P.O. Box 5888, Arlington, Texas 76005-5888.

Comments submitted will be compiled and presented to the Regional Transportation Council ahead of taking any action on the projects.

Council staff presented information on the following programs and initiatives:

In addition to staff presentations, information about modifications to the Transportation Improvement Program were posted to the meeting website.

People News: DART, MBTA/MassDOT

railwayage.com

Jeamy Molina on June 26 will join DART as Chief Communications Officer, overseeing the customer service, strategic communication, marketing, media relations and internal communications departments. DART provides light rail, Trinity Railway Express commuter rail, bus, GoLink on-demand, and paratransit services, moving more than 220,000 riders per day across a 700-square-mile service area in Dallas, TX.

With more than 15 years of experience, Molina has led integrated communication strategies for non-profit organizations and large local corporations, and currently serves as Director of Communications for the Parkland Foundation in Dallas. Molina is a Board Member for the Latino Cultural Center and is a Member of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communications from The University of Texas at Austin.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org