Trump tweets about sending COVID money to Dallas for transit. What about Fort Worth?
Fort Worth transit agency Trinity Metro is getting a $55 million boost from the federal government to offset lost revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But it was Fort Worth’s neighbor to the east, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, that got a congratulatory tweet Wednesday from President Trump. DART, which covers a larger service area than Trinity Metro, is slated to receive $229 million in federal CARES Act aid.
“Great news for the Dallas area! Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will be receiving $229M in funding to keep front line workers, and the many riders that depend on transit, employed and safe,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “This will be critical to economic recovery!”
In Fort Worth, Trinity Metro officials said the money will be used to make ends meet. Trinity Metro operates mostly on sales tax revenue generated in Fort Worth and other member cities, and that revenue has declined sharply in the two months that North Texans have mostly avoided public areas while sheltering from the virus in their homes.
The Regional Transportation Council, which is Dallas-Fort Worth’s official planning body and oversees federal transportation funding on behalf of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, also approved the funding for Trinity Metro.
“The grant funds will primarily cover salaries, wages and lost revenues,” Bob Baulsir, Trinity Metro president and chief executive officer, said in an email. “Most importantly, the money will be used for the health benefits and protections for our employees and customers to ensure Trinity Metro maintains a safe and healthy working and riding environment.”
The federal money — which for Fort Worth officially works out to $55,161,034 — also will offset the loss of fare box revenue. Trinity Metro waived the cost of fares for much of the past two months and allowed passengers to ride buses and trains for free — although the agency resumed collecting fares this week.
“The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has enjoyed some of the most rapid development in the country, and Trinity Metro buses, vanpools, and commuter rail lines have played a key role in keeping our fast-growing community connected,” U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, said in a statement. “Due to the coronavirus pandemic, transportation agencies like Trinity Metro have struggled to generate funding to continue running amid lockdowns, and with how to keep staff and riders safe amid the pandemic.
The funding is part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law March 27. Overall, the Federal Transit Administration received $25 billion to assist local transit agencies across the United States.
“As Texas reels from the economic destruction caused by the coronavirus outbreak, it’s important our public transportation systems have the resources they need to weather the storm,” U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a statement. “I commend both the Trump Administration and leaders at Trinity Metro who worked to secure these funds during this trying time.”
