The T’s Ridership Nearly Double As It Celebrates 30 Years Of Service

November 8,2013

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FORT WORTH (November 7, 2013) – Customers are invited to join the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) for refreshments to celebrate its 30th Anniversary on Friday, Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at The T’s downtown Intermodal Transportation Center at 1001 Jones Street.

On November 8, 1983, Fort Worth voters approved a dedicated sales tax that created the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, a political subdivision under the state of Texas. The goal was to provide stable funding and expanded transit services for the 5.2 million annual riders who previously depended on CITRAN to move about their growing city. Richland Hills and Blue Mound joined The T a few years later

Since 1983, annual ridership has nearly doubled to 9.6 million, as The T has expanded bus services, added vanpools, partnered to launch the Trinity Railway Express -- the first commuter railroad in the Southwest -- and in recent years, has initiated special transit partnerships such as Northeast Transportation Service (NETS) in northeast Tarrant County, service in Arlington, and for the development of TEX Rail with funding partners Fort Worth, Grapevine, and Tarrant County.

Since The T’s 25th Anniversary, service additions, enhancements and expansions include:
 Molly the Trolley: Free downtown circulator popular with visitors, businesses and residents;
 Cowboy Coach: Shuttles to AT&T Stadium serving Cowboys and College games;
 Bike Share: 1st U.S. transit agency to develop, secure grant, launch with partners into 401c3;
 Technologies: Google Transit, Next Bus, Solar lit shelters, upgraded TRE wifi, Go Pass apps;
 Super Bowl XLV (45) – Bus service to and from TRE CentrePort station and stadium, and transporting visitors to week-long Super Bowl events;
 Hyde Park Transit Plaza – Downtown park amenity; enhanced sidewalk access to ITC;
 Transit Signal Prioritization – First North Texas transit use to streamline bus travel;
 Spur*– Enhanced bus corridor with 65 foot buses serves average daily, ridership of 4,000;
 Sierra Vista Transit Plaza – Serves nearby urban village, other SE Fort Worth development;
 Service to Alliance – Express buses to and from shifts of manufacturing facilities;
 Arlington MAX -- Service to and from TRE CentrePort Station, a T and DART partnership;
 North Park & Ride – Construction begun at I-35 near Heritage Trace;
 TEX Rail – Phase 1 between downtown Fort Worth and DFW Airport projects 15,000 riders;

For more information, contact:

Joan Hunter
Communications Manager
The T (Fort Worth Transportation Authority)
1600 E. Lancaster Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
jhunter@the-t.com
(817)215-8973 - office
(817) 455-4110 - cell