News & Updates

May 3, 2024 Issue

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Between DART’s GoLink and Circuit, All of West Dallas Can Access Rides on Demand


dallasweekly.com


Each month more than 5,000 people use DART’s on-demand ride services, Circuit and GoLink, to travel between their West Dallas homes and their workplaces, the grocery store, a school, or a bus stop or train station.


Riders in West Dallas have options — free Circuit rides on the east side of the neighborhood, and $2.50 one-way GoLink rides on the west side.


You can spot the small electric Circuit vehicles throughout the day, transporting neighbors free of charge. Its West Dallas program — the only one in the city — began in September 2020 and in 2023 served an average of 4,000 riders per month.


Circuit’s service area is bordered by Westmoreland, Canada Drive, I-30, and the Trinity River, and takes West Dallas riders across the river to DART’s West End and Union Station transit hubs. 


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Fate of TEXRail Extension into West Fort Worth Rests on Federal Grant Application


fortworthreport.com


A $40 million funding gap will not derail Trinity Metro’s plans for a TEXRail extension into west Fort Worth’s Medical District — yet. 


Trinity Metro is waiting to hear the results of its application for a $25 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help offset costs. 


RAISE grants, which stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, are discretionary funds awarded to support state and local transportation projects.


A response isn’t expected until June, said Chad Edwards, executive vice president of strategy, planning and development at Trinity Metro. If the agency gets the grant, Trinity Metro will be responsible for finding another $20 million, which is much more achievable, he said.


“I’d like to say we’re doing it, it’s just a matter of dollars. I’d feel much more confident when we get the RAISE grant that we’re doing it because then I’m only looking for $20 million,” Edwards said. 


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DART Adding New Tech to Aid Riders


dallasexpress.com


Dallas Area Rapid Transit is rolling out new technology that simplifies tracking buses so riders know exactly when the next bus will arrive at their chosen stop.


Previously, bus tracking was only available on the DART GoPass stand-alone app, at DART.org, by texting 41411, or on kiosks and transit center digital dashboards. Now, however, riders can track buses on Google Maps, the Transit app, and other apps, removing a significant barrier and streamlining the ability to catch a ride.


“One of our strategic goals is for more people to use and rely on DART because its services are attractive and convenient,” said Dr. Julius Smith, DART vice president and chief information officer, in a press release. “To do that, we will continue to do all we can to deliver information directly to our riders in new and expanded ways. Our hope is for riders to be better able to plan their journeys, reducing uncertainty and minimizing wait times.”


DART said that board members had pushed for the expansion to provide easy more riders with easy access to real-time vehicle locations, arrival time predictions, and alerts such as detours and cancellations.


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Fort Worth Will Explore Urban Rail Development Linking City’s Entertainment Districts


star-telegram.com


The Fort Worth mayor’s office Thursday morning unveiled a committee to “explore opportunities” for the development of urban rail in the city.


The Urban Rail Committee Supporting Economic Development & Tourism will begin meeting this summer through the end of 2024, according to a city press release. The group’s inception signals a more serious commitment from Fort Worth leaders to fill a gap in the city’s transportation infrastructure.


“We know that Fort Worth remains one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and current trends show that in 2100 the Fort Worth-Dallas Metro region will be the largest metro area in the country,” said Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement. “With that growth comes immense challenges and opportunities. I believe right now that we are well-poised for the opportunity to explore urban rail opportunities, particularly in supporting our growing economic development and tourism industries.”


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Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org