Media Contact:
Morgan Lyons

March 12, 1999

One million customers served

Trinity Railway Express commuter rail line marks customer service milestone

Before Joyce King of Austin came to Dallas to attend a major dental convention, her friends told her riding the Trinity Railway Express and DART Rail were the only way to go. She came to town expecting a smooth ride. What she got was recognition as the one-millionth customer of the Trinity Railway Express.

Just before boarding the 7:33 a.m. train at the South Irving Rail Station, King was greeting by Irving city and business officials, DART Vice President of Commuter Rail Lonnie Blaydes and a host of television cameras who were there to record the event. In fact, King was even interviewed live on television and radio while boarding the train.

Her reaction to all the hoopla, "I'm very surprised," was the understatement of the morning.

Commuter rail service between Union Station in Downtown Dallas and the South Irving Rail Station began on December 30, 1996. Midday service was added in December 1997 and Saturday service was initiated in December 1998. The 10-mile line includes an interim stop at the Medical/Market Center Station across the street from Parkland Memorial Hospital and Children's Medical Center of Dallas.

Construction is underway on an extension to downtown Fort Worth. That segment is scheduled to open in late 2000. Service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is scheduled for 2005.

More than 2,000 people ride the Trinity Railway Express daily.