Trinity Metro TEXRail Extension Demonstrates Value of Public-Private Partnerships

At an event with more than 100 attendees, including APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas, Trinity Metro broke ground on a 2.1-mile TEXRail extension that will bring regional commuter rail service to the Medical District and Near Southside in Fort Worth, TX. The service will connect more people to jobs, healthcare, education, and local businesses.

“Fort Worth is growing, and the decisions we make today will shape how people experience this city for generations. The TEXRail Near Southside/Medical District extension and new station is an investment in our future,” said Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro.

The Medical District and Near Southside are home to a concentration of healthcare employers, neighborhoods, and businesses. The $270 million extension is funded through federal, regional, and local sources, while Baylor Scott & White Health donated land for the new station site. Skoutelas said the investment “demonstrates what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together toward a shared community vision.”

Charles Williams, president of Baylor Scott & White DFW – West Region said, “Our hope is that this connection will make it easier for people to receive care, support someone they love, or come to work caring for our community. Helping people reach what matters to them is another way we can empower them to live well.”

In his remarks, Skoutelas highlighted the benefits that public transportation provides beyond the communities where the infrastructure is built. For example, public transportation is a $102 billion a year industry in the U.S. and employs more than 450,000 workers, supports millions of other jobs, and relies on 3,000 suppliers in 1,700 communities across all 50 states.

Within Texas, the industry plays a critical role in the national supply chain as train couplers, HVAC systems, brakes, doors, diagnostics, and security innovations are designed, engineered, manufactured, and supported by Texas businesses.

Delivering closing remarks, Jeff Davis, chairman of the Trinity Metro Board of Directors, said, “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Transit is the answer to everything.”