Trinity Metro extending modified service, free rides
April 2,2020
Reposted from Trinity Metro
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Trinity Metro is extending its modified schedules and free fares until May 1 to reduce the novel coronavirus risk for customers and employees.
Regular bus service will continue to operate on a modified Sunday schedule seven days a week. Routes that do not operate on Sunday, such as the downtown Lunch Line, 71-Forest Hill and the 991-Juror Shuttle, will be temporarily suspended. Express routes 63X/64X and 65X will continue to operate on their regular schedules.
“An essential component of serving the public is to be there when they need you most,” said Trinity Metro President and CEO Bob Baulsir. “Public transportation is as essential service to make sure customers can access work, health care and other resources during this difficult time.”
Trinity Metro TEXRail is running on an hourly service, which is based upon the regular schedule, seven days a week. Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will operate six days a week based upon its current Saturday schedule, with no service on Sundays.
The number of ACCESS rides will be reduced, with a focus on only making essential trips. ZIPZONE services are not impacted by this temporary change.
In conjunction with its downtown funding partners, Trinity Metro has temporarily suspended Molly the Trolley service through May 31. (DFWI edit made April 8, 2020)
Social distancing with free fares
To limit the risk of COVID-19 exposure, Trinity Metro will continue to offer free rides on buses, Trinity Metro TEXRail and ACCESS paratransit. This is intended to significantly minimize the amount of contact between operators and customers as well as conductors and riders.
On trains, passengers will sit in alternating rows and only in the window seats to maximize the amount of space between customers and between the conductors and riders. Signs or caution tape will be used to designate unavailable seats.
On buses, passengers will continue to board and exit through the back doors to increase social distancing. The front entrance is open for customers using wheelchairs. On the busiest routes, extra operators are ready to pick up passengers in a second bus to limit the number of riders per vehicle. Trinity Metro has reduced seating capacity to 35 percent. The agency be posting signage on platforms to reinforce appropriate distancing for customers waiting for rides.
Because TRE is a shared service with DART, TRE passengers will need a ticket to ride.
How Trinity Metro is helping
Safeguarding the health and well-being of passengers and employees is Trinity Metro’s top priority. The agency is closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation and are communicating with local, state and national health authorities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Trinity Metro continues to take extra steps to increase the cleaning frequency of high-touch areas such as door handles, railings, seats and benches with disinfectant throughout each shift. Buses, vans and ACCESS vehicles are sanitized daily. Trinity Metro TEXRail trains are disinfected daily after they have been in service.