Transit Budgets, Tarrant Co Transit Needs, Silver Line Tests & Annual Luncheon Sept 20

News & Updates

August 29, 2024 Issue

Tarrant Leaders to Discuss Growing Transit Needs as Population Swell

keranews.org

As Tarrant County rapidly grows, the need for more transit options is increasingly apparent. Just take a drive if you want proof.

Fort Worth is exploring bringing a fixed rail system to the city with Mayor Mattie Parker taking the lead by establishing a diverse committee charged with examining the creation of a rail system between city entertainment districts, including the Stockyards and Cultural District.

The effort comes as North Texas is poised to become a major national passenger rail hub, including a proposal to establish a high-speed rail route that could connect Tarrant County’s two largest cities with Dallas and Houston.

DART to Begin Second Round of Vehicle Testing on Silver Line Aug. 25

masstransitmag.com

Beginning Aug. 25, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will begin a second round of vehicle testing on the Silver Line Regional Rail alignment.

The testing on Silver Line tracks will be exclusive to Segment C of the project, falling between Waterview Parkway and the Shiloh Road Station. Times of testing will occur between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. throughout the week.

Flaggers will be present at each of the rail crossings to help drivers and pedestrians navigate traffic safely and accurately following Federal Railroad Administration guidelines. Engineers and rail crews will be testing the timing and duration of gates, lights and warning signals at each crossing to ensure safe transitions for both freight and commuter rail that will share operations in the corridor once the Silver Line is in revenue service.

'A Direct Attack on My Family': Transit Advocates Push Back on DART Budget Cuts

keranews.org

Transit advocates are making their case against proposed budget cuts at Dallas Area Rapid Transit as the agency considers capping spending by as much as 5%.

On Tuesday, members of the group Dallas Area Transit Alliance (DATA) spoke to the DART board of directors to address their concerns.

“I think everyone who thinks that these budget cuts will make things magically better don't understand what it's like to wait more than 20 minutes in Texas heat for their train or their bus,” said Ruben Mendoza, a member of DATA.

DCTA’s FY 2024-25 Operating Budget Approved with 5 New Positions

communityimpact.com

The Denton County Transportation Authority’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget was approved in August with an increase in operating expenses compared to last year’s budget.

The board of directors approved the budget during an Aug. 22 meeting. It will take effect Oct. 1 with $51.9 million budgeted for expenses and $64.2 million projected in revenue. The board also approved $24.9 million for capital improvement projects and major maintenance.

TxDOT Distributes $156M for Public Transit Efforts Statewide

communityimpact.com

The Texas Department of Transportation approved another $123 million for public transit initiatives July 30. The agency has now earmarked an estimated $156 million to support public transportation connections from rural to urban areas across the state.

“These funds will help Texans in rural and urban communities access safe and reliable mobility options that improve quality of life and enhance economic opportunity,” Texas Transportation Commissioner Alvin New said in an Aug. 1 news release. “These programs connect people with their community and give them a way to get around when they may have no other option.”

The funding will be used to help transit agencies:

Construct or improve public transit facilities and fund over 150 new buses for older fleets
Increase long-distance connections between rural and urban metropolitan areas along 15 routes across the state
Increase the quality of services for people that regularly use public transit—several regions will see expanded services for seniors and individuals with disabilities

DCTA, Denton Team Up to Fund Bike Lanes on Mckinney Street, Safer Path on Riney, Bus Stop Accessibility

dentonrc.com

The Denton County Transportation Authority announced plans to help fund six projects to provide safer transit for commuters — including those on foot and on bike — around Denton and Lewisville.

The projects total about $21.1 million, with $6.96 million being requested through DCTA’s Transportation Reinvestment Program (TRiP), which provides financial assistance to member cities for transit-related projects.

DCTA Planning Manager Karina Maldonado said one project is for Lewisville and five are the city of Denton.

TCNT Annual Luncheon, September 20, 2024

Registration is Open!

The Transit Coalition of North Texas is hosting its annual luncheon on September 20, on the State of Transit. We will hear a report on the TxDOT Multimodal Plan and the results of a TTI economic impact analysis of transit. In addition to individual speakers, the luncheon will feature a panel of our transit CEOs who will discuss what the State's plans and the statewide economic impact analysis mean for North Texas.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org