Trinity Metro
Trinity Metro’s Board on Sept. 15 signed off on a $163.7 million operating budget for FY 2025, up about 10% from the $147.9 million budget for FY 2024, according to an article in the Fort Worth Report. The additional spending, it said, is due to “increased costs for personnel, transportation services and equipment needs” at the regional public transportation system, which operates buses, TEXRail, ACCESS paratransit, ZIPZONEs, Fort Worth Bike Sharing, vanpools and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) in Tarrant County, Tex. Trinity Metro “said it expects to receive more than $180 million in revenue, mostly through sales tax allocations of $132.7 million and operating grants of $32 million,” the media outlet reported. “Additional revenue — totaling more than $15 million — is expected through paratransit services, corporate partnerships and other revenue sources. Trinity Metro receives a .5% portion of the local 8.25% sales tax.”
According to the Fort Worth Report, the agency “expects to have about $16.7 million extra left over in 2025 net operating revenue”; additionally, it “anticipates taking in about $39.3 million more in revenue than its 2024 number of $147 million, which left a budget deficit of $6.8 million.”
For the bus system, operational costs, “including administration, street operations and radio control, will exceed about $29 million — slightly up from about $28.6 million in fiscal year 2024,” the media outlet said. TEXRail operations will receive approximately $33.7 million for FY 2025, “up about 11% from last year’s expense of about $30 million,” and TRE operations will receive approximately $19.2 million, “just a 6.4% increase over last year’s expenses that totaled more than $18 million.”
According to the media outlet, the budget “was amended by $112,710 to reflect the withdrawal of Crowley and Everman from Trinity Metro’s On-Demand rideshare program,” as both south Tarrant County cities “initially received grant funding for the service but opted to discontinue the service because of budget constraints.” The agency will spent $6.4 million on On-Demand programs for the Alliance, Mercantile and Southside areas, and $1.9 million for the On-Demand programs in the South Tarrant, Southeast, Mansfield, Northeast and North Side areas, according to the Fort Worth Report. State-of-good-repair expenses plus facilities and maintenance will total more than $16 million.
“In its $212 million capital budget, Trinity Metro plans to spend $68.2 million on TEXRail” equipment and “$47.5 million on the TEXRail expansion to the Near Southside district,” the media outlet reported. Additionally, the agency will spend $30 million on TRE equipment, $12.1 million on 10 replacement buses, and $1.1 million on improvements to TRE’s Centreport station, near Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, according to the media outlet.
TWC
A new interactive map displaying registered apprenticeship and mentorship programs at U.S. transit agencies has been launched by TWC, which in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration, supports workforce development needs for all modes of public transportation across urban, tribal, and rural entities.
By clicking on the map, users can link to a variety of information about the programs and transit agencies featured—from apprenticeship standards to workforce data—gathered from national databases and with the assistance of transit unions and agencies.
“Apprenticeship is a powerful tool for building a skilled and resilient transit workforce,” said Xinge Wang, Deputy Director of the International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC), which operates TWC. “This map highlights the growth of these programs and offers a valuable resource for agencies and unions committed to investing in their workforce and improving their skills.”
“Apprenticeship and mentorship programs are extremely effective strategies for transit agencies seeking to build a sustainable career pipeline and ensure they have a well-trained workforce,” added Karitsa Holdzkom, Senior Policy Analyst at ITLC. “Our new map showing transit mentorship and registered apprenticeship programs provides transit agencies and other partners with an easy way to find examples that will inspire the creation of future programs and facilitates interaction and sharing throughout the industry.”
NJT
NJT and the United States Army Reserve (USAR) on Sept. 17 signed an employee recruitment and outreach agreement, allowing the transit agency to help soldiers and their families “overcome barriers” and obtain “meaningful employment opportunities,” they said. According to USAR’s Private Public Partnership office, more than 87% of Army Reserve soldiers combine military service with civilian careers.
“NJT is proud to partner with the U.S. Army Reserve,” said Kevin S. Corbett, President and CEO of NJT, which provides more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. “These men and women bring exceptional skills, leadership, and a commitment to service that aligns perfectly with our company’s values.”
“We’re grateful for this opportunity to partner with NJT who will provide our soldiers and family members with good employment opportunities in this region,” added Alecia R. Grady, Director, Private Public Partnership Office for USAR.
MARTA
MARTA and Atlanta United have released a custom retail collection, which includes a t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat and scarf. It merges soccer-inspired designs with key brand elements from both organizations. Featured prominently is the soccer club’s abbreviation of “atlutd” stylized in MARTA’s classic lowercase font positioned next to the transit system’s iconic blue, yellow and orange stripes.
The back of the sweatshirt showcases a soccer ball bulging a net while the threads are shaped and colored identically to MARTA’s rail system map. The limited-edition, two-sided scarf is presented as a MARTA railcar with the doors painted in Atlanta United’s distinguished red and black five stripes.
All items can be purchased now online and at the club’s Team Store at Atlantic Station. The collection will be also available at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Team Store starting Sept. 18 during the club’s match against Inter Miami CF.
“MARTA has been there for Atlanta United fans since the club’s founding, providing the safest, most efficient way to get to and from the match,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said. “We’re proud to announce that now fans can show their passion for MARTA and Atlanta United through this retail partnership, the first of its kind for our transit agency. We can’t wait to see our customers wearing these new hats, shirts and scarves as they enjoy the ride on MARTA.”
“This collaboration brings together two iconic Atlanta institutions in a way that celebrates the city’s culture, creativity and passion for soccer,” added Skate Noftsinger, Atlanta United’s Vice President and Chief Business Officer. “The MARTA Collection allows people to proudly showcase their love for both Atlanta United and the transit system that connects our city and helps fuel our incredible matchday energy.”
In other news, MARTA’s Atlanta headquarters recently earned Energy Star Certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
