New Trinity Metro “first mile/last mile” service
February 26,2019
See full Fort Worth Business Press article by FWBP Staff here.
As an innovative way to help North Texans reach their destinations, Trinity Metro is providing ZIPZONE, a first mile/last mile transportation solution, in select service areas, initially in the Alliance corridor in partnership with the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA).
ZIPZONE will allow riders to connect with the North Texas Xpress that operates between downtown Fort Worth and Alliance and Denton, Trinity Metro said in a news release.
Alliance ZIPZONE replaces the Alliance Link, a first mile/last mile pilot started by Toyota. That pilot ended in January 2019.
“When we started North Texas Xpress with DCTA in Fall 2016, we knew the bus route would be a good choice for employees in the Alliance area,” said Trinity Metro President/CEO Paul Ballard. “Now we’re taking it one step further to help Alliance employees arrive at work without having to drive.”
AllianceTexas, a Hillwood development, is home to more than 500 companies and more than 61,000 jobs.
“Providing connectivity for passengers is essential,” Ballard said. “The addition of our Alliance ZIPZONE is another incentive for employees who work in this area to leave their cars at home.”
Alliance ZIPZONE service is provided through Lyft, an on-demand transportation company. Trinity Metro passengers can use the Lyft app, entering a specific code to gain access to the first mile/last mile rides.
Hours of operation are 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends, hours are from 5:30-7:30 a.m. and 4-7:30 p.m.
Trinity Metro is currently considering implementing ZIPZONE in other parts of its service areas. “It’s an attractive solution for helping riders get to their final destination,” said Ballard.
Trinity Metro operates TEXRail, a 27-mile commuter rail line that runs from downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.
For a report on the issues of first and last mile connection presented at the Northeast Tarrant Transportation Summit, see: Transit Conference: The long and short riders http://bit.ly/transitfirstandlastmile