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Inside Trinity Metro’s ROI Playbook
railwayage.com
by Richard Andreski, President/CEO, Trinity Metro
On a recent visit to the Texas Capitol in my role as the CEO of Fort Worth’s Trinity Metro, I was stopped by a state senator before I could begin my pitch for commuter rail. “I’m never using rail,” the senator said. “I have a truck. You’re never going to get me on rail … but what do you need?”
I appreciated the legislator’s candor and his willingness to help. Even in Texas, where support for public transit at the state level is essentially nonexistent, he understood the value of commuter rail and knew his constituents wanted the service.
Trinity Metro has built a strong foundation of public support, backed by a devoted rider base, a dynamic mayor who champions commuter rail, and a local business community that sees our services as key to driving Fort Worth’s growth and success. Passengers ride with us to work, to the hospital, to the airport, to sporting events and the State Fair. One couple put their entire wedding party on one of our trains to their ceremony. Make no mistake: Those riders speak to their elected officials.
We’ve achieved this level of public support in two significant ways. We have delivered an outstanding customer experience that includes friendly, professional staff and reliable, 30-minute headways 7 days a week. And we have built a public engagement strategy through foundational research on the economic impact of rail in our region and public opinion research. With federal support for transit now in doubt, rail leaders across America can learn from our approach and apply these strategies in their states—red and blue alike.
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Marc Molinaro Confirmed as New Administrator of FTA
masstransitmag.com
Marcus Molinaro was confirmed by the Senate on Aug. 2, 2025, to be the 16th administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
"I applaud the U.S. Senate for confirming Administrator Molinaro earlier today. Marc’s leadership, experience and commitment to making transit safe again will be a strong asset to the department," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. "I am confident Administrator Molinaro will help usher in the golden age of transit, helping our transit partners maintain safe and clean systems that move American families forward."
Molinaro added, "I am grateful to President [Donald] Trump for placing his trust in me and to Secretary Duffy for his confidence in my leadership. I am committed to supporting our nation’s public transportation systems and ensuring a safer, more accessible and better-connected America."
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) also commented on Molinaro’s confirmation, with APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas releasing the following statement:
“APTA congratulates former Representative Marcus Molinaro on his confirmation as administrator of the [FTA]. We look forward to working closely with him and the administration to strengthen public transit systems nationwide, support economic growth and improve mobility for millions of Americans.
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Trinity Metro Names Chief Operating Officer
fortworthreport.org
Reed Lanham has been named chief operating officer for Trinity Metro following an exhaustive nationwide search. Previously vice president of rail, he has held a variety of leadership roles since joining the agency in 2015.
“Reed’s nearly 20 years of transportation expertise, leadership abilities and track record of delivering results make him a natural fit for this role,” said Trinity Metro President & CEO Richard Andreski. “He fosters a culture of high performance, teamwork, innovation and efficiency. As a collaborative leader, he excels at building partnerships and has negotiated and executed $469 million in contracts.”
Under his leadership, Trinity Metro TEXRail has experienced a 12-13% annual growth rate and has rebounded most quickly post-pandemic among all commuter rail lines in the nation. During his tenure, Lanham played key roles in the start-up of TEXRail, led the implementation of regional positive train control, and partnered with DART on the development of Trinity Railway Express.
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DCTA, Lewisville Plan $40M Expansion Around Old Town Station
keranews.org
Lewisville’s downtown transit station is getting a $40 million makeover.
The city of Lewisville and Denton County Transit Authority, as well as Dallas Area Rapid Transit, are developing plans for a transit-oriented development district, complete with a new DCTA headquarters near Old Town Station’s A-train platform.
This expansion is slated for a plot of land between East College, East Church and East Main streets in Lewisville, significantly expanding the current reach of Old Town Station.
The total estimated cost of the project is $40.3 million, but DCTA has already secured a Federal Transit Administration grant offsetting the total by about $8 million. The remaining $32.3 million would be covered by DCTA, development partners or other sources.
A new three-story DCTA headquarters would include office space, a waiting area and a retail and restaurant area. There are also plans to consider a hotel and conference center.
The station is set to feature a covered plaza, parking for buses, cars and rideshare vehicles and a “kiss and ride” drop-off and pickup area.
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GoZone: A Vital Resource for Local Riders
crosstimbersgazette.com
GoZone has become an essential transportation tool for residents of Denton County, particularly for those without personal vehicles or those choosing alternative transportation. A recent survey revealed that 79% of riders would be “very disappointed” if they lost access to this vital service.
As part of the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), GoZone plays a vital role in daily commutes and errands. According to the Engaged Rider Survey conducted in February, 82% of respondents primarily use GoZone for work and essential trips. The service has built a loyal following, with 87% of active riders being repeat users who take an average of nine trips per month.
Personal testimonials highlight GoZone’s impact.
“I love the GoZone service,” said one rider. “It has been a blessing since starting in 2021.”
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DART Rail Line Service Restored Downtown After Train Fire
dallasnews.com
Nearly a week after a train fire injured several people, DART’s rail line service has been restored, agency officials said Tuesday.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, flames and smoke rose from the DART tunnel at Ross Avenue and U.S. Highway 75. Authorities later said the fire stemmed from an Orange Line train and involved its overhead catenary system, which is used to transmit electric power to trains.
According to Jeamy Molina, a DART spokeswoman, 40 passengers were evacuated safely.
Six people were taken to a hospital for anxiety, difficulty breathing and minor burns, but none of the medical concerns were considered life-threatening, Jason Evans of Dallas Fire-Rescue said in an emailed statement. Nine other people were treated at the scene.
Though power was quickly restored to the Central Business District, trains couldn’t travel directly through the area for several days after the blaze, resulting in route modifications and delays.
Officials wrote in a post on X Tuesday morning that while rail lines were resuming normal service through downtown, it would “take some time” to get trains back on their regular schedules.
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Irving Gets More out of DART Than it Pays In — but the Mayor Says He’s Not Seeing the Results
keranews.org
Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer is one of five mayors who feel that the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system is allocating less money to its member cities than what they contribute.
Stopfer, along with the mayors of Carrolton, Farmers Branch, Plano, and the town of Highland Park, signed off on a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott in support of Senate Bill 2118 and House Bill 3187 — two bills that would have changed how DART is funded.
The mayors called the legislation “a strong foundation for needed change” in the letter sent late June.
The member cities, which contribute a one-cent local sales tax, said in the letter funds sent to DART disproportionally benefit Dallas, which reportedly contributed $407.8 million in FY 23 and was allocated $690.5 million.
“I'm not being treated the same when it comes to how the money is spent, I'm not being treated the same on the service I get,” Stopfer told KERA. “And so what alternative do I have? I owe the people of Irving the ability to get around.”
But unlike the other four municipalities looking to cut the agency’s funding, Irving does get a higher allocation from DART than what it contributes.
That’s according to a report from the consulting firm EY, formerly known as Ernst and Young, which shows how DART spent its money in each of its 13 member cities in fiscal year 2023. While the report showed that four of the municipalities that signed the letter contributed more than what they got back from DART, it showed that Irving contributed $102.2 million while DART allocated $123.5 million to the city.
DART service is essential to Irving residents like Katelyn Doden, who relies on DART for transportation to and from work. The early morning bus she takes also stops at the train station, which goes to the airport. Katelyn said she’s noticed airport workers rely on DART to commute, too.
“It would make it a lot harder for people to get to their jobs,” Katelyn said. “People in Irving use DART a whole lot. They rely on it.”
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DART to Install Quiet Zones Along Path of Silver Line North of Dallas
dallas.culturemap.com
Regional Rail, a commuter line that will extend from Plano to DFW Airport, by the end of 2025. As part of that rollout, the agency is creating a quiet zone along most of the 26-mile course — meaning that when the train makes its way across intersections, it will not honk its horn.
DART partnered with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and six of the seven cities that the Silver Line will cross to establish a quiet zone ordinance along most of the 26-mile rail alignment.
Quiet zones are established to limit noise, with trains sounding their horns only if there is something that will affect the vehicle’s passage on or near the tracks.
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