Bus Service Debuts in Arlington, Texas
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 3:30 PM
The biggest city in the nation to not have public transportation just got bus service last month.
Arlington, Texas - with a population of about 375,000 - is now getting nonstop, commuter bus service from The Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T). The service began on Sept. 2 and runs morning and evening between two Arlington park-and-ride lots and the downtown Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center.
Commuters in this North Texas city pay $2.50 one way or $80 for a monthly pass. Transfers and children under five ride for free. This pilot program is scheduled to run one year.
Arlington, located midway between Fort Worth and Dallas, has a population of about 375,000. Three times, voters rejected public transit initiatives. An agreement between the T and the city of Arlington pays for the cost of this new bus service with funds from the Sue Pope Fund-North Texas Pollution Reduction Program and the Downwinders at Risk paying for Arlington's portion. The Sue Pope Fund is a North Texas organization that gives grants to reduce ozone emissions in North Texas.
"This partnership between the T and the city of Arlington should help reduce peak Fort Worth traffic congestion, as well as demonstrate to Arlington residents the benefits of mass transit," *** Ruddell, president of the T, told Passenger Transport magazine, a publication of American Public Transportation Association.
A kick-off event on Aug. 29 highlighted the T's new compressed natural gas-powered commuter buses from North American Bus Industries.