Trinity Metro's TEXRail is marking four years of service Tuesday. TEXRail launched January 10, 2019.
Tuesday morning, Trinity Metro held parties at three stations. Through Monday, January 16, TEXRail will be free along with ZIPZONE rides that connect to a TEXRail station.
At a party at Fort Worth Central Station, Trinity Metro was handing out gift bags and pamphlets with information about the system.
"The experience I've had on the train has been fantastic," one man said.
He said he often rides from T&P Station to Grapevine but says he will now start riding to DFW Airport.
"The last time we went out to DFW, we spent $135 on parking for four days," he said. "I realized this goes to DFW."
TEXRail fares from Fort Worth to DFW Airport are $2.50 for a single ride and $5 for a one day pass.
Others said they have started visiting Grapevine more often since TEXRail started service.
"They've got the farmer's market, you've got a lot of cute shops and some bars, good restaurants," another man said.
"I don't want to spend my whole day driving, so sometimes it's nice to just sit down and hang out," his wife said.
Trinity Metro says ridership set a record in December with 61,689 TEXRail passengers. That was 28% more than December of 2021 but less than was predicted by the Federal Transit Administration.
FTA predicted 249,000 trips per month increasing to 411,000 by 2035.
"Our ridership has continued to rebound from the impact of COVID, and we are so excited to see the TEXRail numbers soar as they did last month,” Trinity Metro President and CEO Richard Andreski wrote in a statement.
Starting Tuesday, TEXRail is also expanding service on its 7:10 p.m. westbound train. That train starts at DFW Airport Terminal B and had ended at Mercantile Station. Now, it will continue to the line's terminus at T&P Station.
"Our customers have been asking for this change, and we’re delighted to make it happen. We listened to their feedback, and we know this will be a great adjustment to help passengers trying to get back to Fort Worth," Trinity Metro Vice President of Rail Jon-Erik Arjanen said.
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