Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Light Rail -- DFW Metropolis -- September 1, 2021

Trinity Metro is "our" light rail system in the DFW area, running from Ft Worth, TX, in the west, through Grapevine, TX, and then east to the DFW airport, where it connects with light rail into Dallas, TX.

It's an awesome, ultra-modern system. It began service a couple of years ago. I was really, really hoping it would do well. It really was a great idea: providing transportation for the thousands of minimum-wage employees working out at DFW, but living where housing was more affordable.

But from day 1, one could see that ridership was going to be very, very low. I think travel on the Trinity Metro was free for quite some time, hoping to get folks used to.

Then Covid-19. 

I am unable to find ridership numbers but every time I see a four-car Trinity Metro train go by, it is generally completely empty. 

Covid-19 may have something to do with that, but I didn't think it was going to work regardless. 

So, now after two or three years of really, really low ridership, Trinity Metro is going to try free rides again. I assume one of the reasons for doing this is to see what the potential ridership might be.


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