Forest Hill bus service expanding to allow more people to get to school, jobs, shops
A year after Trinity Metro began bus service in Forest Hill, the service is expanding with another route that will serve the eastern portion of the city.
Sandip Sen, planning manager for Trinity Metro, said ridership is expanding, and that the additional route will include Wichita Street.
Sen added that the route includes stops at the Tarrant County South Campus, City Hall and the Villas at Forest Hill.
Trinity Metro is also adding two bus shelters along the route.
City manager Sheyi Ipaye said, “Trinity Metro has provided an opportunity for the City of Forest Hill to better serve our residents in an efficient manner by connecting the frontage roads of Interstate 20, Mansfield Highway, Wichita Street and Forest Hill Drive. These highly traveled roads are the backbone of Forest Hill’s transportation System.”
Last November, Trinity Metro began operating trolley buses, similar to those that go through downtown Fort Worth. The buses hold 25 passengers, and Forest Hill can use larger buses if needed.
City officials wanted the service to help residents get to jobs, school and shopping.
Funding comes from a $1 million grant to provide transportation to Crowley, Everman and Forest Hill as a pilot project. A third of the grant will fund Forest Hill’s service for the first two years. The city will pay $200,000 in the third year.
According to information from Trinity Metro, the bus routes serve 89.3% of people who are minorities, 30.2% who live in poverty, 10.3% senior citizens, and 41.5% who either don’t have a vehicle or have one vehicle.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 5:45 AM.