Free tickets draw gleeful riders to Fort Worth's new TEXRail train
January 28,2019
See full Culture Map article by Teresa Gubbins here.
TEXRail, the 27-mile commuter rail line that runs from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B, has been killing it with record riders since it was launched on January 10.
Thanks to nice weather, free fares, and curiosity, the weekend of January 26-27 set a new record with nearly 20,000 riders in two days: 10,477 on Saturday and 9,111 on Sunday, for a total of 19,588 riders.
This eclipsed the previous weekend record of 18,002, which was set during the three-day holiday weekend that included Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
In a statement, Trinity Metro CEO Paul Ballard says that the turnout has exceeded their expectations.
"We offered complimentary fares in January because we wanted everyone to experience TEXRail, and we are delighted that so many North Texans and tourists are riding," Ballard says.
Since service began on January 10, the grand total is 82,733.
North Texans gave TEXRail a warm welcome during the commuter rail line’s opening weekend, Jan. 12-13. More than 11,000 riders experienced the new TEXRail train that travels across a 27-mile route from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.
Numbers from the opening weekend showed popular stops to be the T&P Station, Grapevine/Main Street Station, DFW Airport Terminal B Station, the Downtown ITC/Fort Worth Station, and North Richland Hills/Smithfield Station.
Ballard said that some were taking family day trips, some were commuters testing out the route, and some were travelers with luggage going to or from the airport.
The free party won't last forever. Beginning February 1, local fare will be $2.50 one way or $5 for a local day pass, which includes all Trinity Metro bus and rail service in Tarrant County.
A regional day pass is $12 and includes all Trinity Metro, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and Denton County Transportation Authority trains and buses.
Trinity Metro is a regional transportation system that provides public transportation to meet the mobility needs in Tarrant County. The agency oversees buses, vanpools, and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), the 34-mile commuter rail line that's jointly owned and operated with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Trinity Metro is the sole owner and operator of TEXRail.