TEXRail to increase train service frequency through Grapevine starting July 28
July 25,2019
See full Community Impact Newspaper article by Miranda Jaimes here.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated include a link to the adjusted train schedule.
The wait time to catch a Trinity Metro TEXRail train will soon be cut in half.
TEXRail is a 27-mile commuter rail project that extends from downtown Fort Worth through Grapevine and Colleyville and into Terminal B at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
The commuter rail line will start operating more trains. During peak times, trains will arrive at each station every 30 minutes instead of every hour. This will increase the number of daily train trips from 48 to 73.
The increased train frequency will begin Sunday, July 28.
“We always intended to increase frequency after six months of service to provide more options for commuters, travelers and other passengers,” said Bob Baulsir, the president and CEO of Trinity Metro, in a statement. “Riders love our service, and we often hear that they are eager for more trains to run.”
As a result of the increasing train stops, changes will have to be made to the existing train schedules. Trinity Metro has advised riders to consult the online schedule prior to departure. The schedule can be found here and by clicking the bar that reflects the July 28 schedule.
Previous ridership
The increased train frequency is expected to “drive up ridership numbers,” TEXRail officials said.
TEXRail launched in January, and to celebrate its debut, Trinity Metro provided free train rides for the first two weeks of service. More than 98,000 TEXRail riders were logged in January, but in February that number dipped to just under 33,000.
Ridership has fluctuated slightly over the months, but the number of riders has not exceeded 40,000 since the January debut.
“When you begin a new service, it’s always hard to predict what ridership will be,” Baulsir said in an email to Community Impact Newspaper. “We are pleased with the numbers so far and look forward to continued growth.”
Ridership is expected to increase following the increased train frequency since it will offer more convenience for most riders, Baulsir said.
Despite the initial flagging ridership numbers, the amount made from TEXRail fares is typical for the industry, Baulsir said.
“Public transportation is geared toward providing service for our growing population, and the services are not intended to be profitable,” he said in his email.