The T celebrates 30 years of service as ridership nearly doubles

A. Lee Graham

Reporter

Customers are invited to join the Fort Worth Transportation Authority, or The T, for refreshments to celebrate the agency’s 30th anniversary on Friday Nov. 8.

From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., folks may join T officials at the agency’s downtown Intermodal Transportation Center,1001 Jones St.

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On Nov. 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 aim was establishing stable funding and expanded transit services for the 5.2 million annual riders who previously depended on other means to reach other parts of town. Richland Hills and Blue Mound joined The T a few years later

Since 1983, annual ridership has nearly doubled to 9.6 million, according to the agency. It 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 developed 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. 

lgraham@bizpress.net