Fort Worth rail line to DFW Airport hits another milestone now that federal grant is official

[TexasTowelie]

Trains taking passengers from Fort Worth to DFW International Airport could be in motion by 2018, now that the federal government has pledged to pay for nearly half of the $1 billion rail line.

This month, the Federal Transit Administration signed an agreement with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, or The T, to provide a $499 million grant for the TEX Rail project. The other half is being paid for with local and state money, officials said.

Paul Ballard, chief executive officer of The T, said the rail line is critical for the long-term economic viability of the Fort Worth area.

"Business today is global, and as businesses look to where they would locate or relocate, one of the check-offs on their list is, does the city and the county have a rail connection to the airport?" Ballard said. "And there are businesses that if you don't have that connection, they move on to the next city."

Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/fort-worth/2016/12/20/fort-worth-rail-line-dfw-airport-hits-another-milestone-now-federal-grant-official

[ekelly]

1. This is great news! (I hope)

At first glance, and without in-depth research, I think a public transportation option serving this area will be a relief. I've been wishing for years that this would become available to our area.

I live in North Richland Hills and I'm sick of driving to the airport. We have to drive, or pay high rates for a taxi/car service. $60 for a ride from here to DFW Airport or Love Field is just too much. Our work schedules don't always allow one of us to drive the other to an airport, and we don't like to park at the airport for extended periods.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I think that there is a need for the service

and I also hope that they can continue to Cotton Belt extension into Addison, Richardson and Plano. I know that I would have used the line when I was in Irving and if I had a job in Plano. Having the entire DART rail system run through downtown Dallas does not make a lot of sense.

[ekelly]

3. North Ft Worth suburban area is like a separate world...

cut off from the rest of DFW. We feel very isolated here.