Trinity Metro ended up delaying the opening of the new TexRail line for five days—from Saturday, January 5, until Thursday, January 10.
"TexRail -- the brand-new rail line from Fort Worth to DFW International Airport -- won't open Saturday after all," according to an article on KERA News posted last week, days before the scheduled opening. "The hold-up, according to Fort Worth's transit agency, is the partial federal government shutdown."
The decision to delay the opening had critics of the decision questioning whether that could really be the cause.
"On Monday, prospective TEXRail riders took to social media to criticize Trinity Metro, the local transit agency building the line, for not providing the public more information about the postponement," reports Amanda McCoy in a separate article that includes a lot more detail about the events leading up to the delay, and the public fallout from the decision.
Late Monday, the news shifted again, as Trinity Metro announced it would open the new rail line on Thursday. "Trinity Metro issued an update Monday, saying it's received word from the FRA that the 27-mile route has been approved for passenger service," according to a follow up article by KERA News.
FULL STORY: As the TEXRail opening drags on, riders ask if the federal shutdown is the real cause
Transit-Oriented Development Spikes as Fort Worth Prepares for New Commuter Rail
TEXRail, a commuter rail line connecting Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to downtown Fort Worth, is scheduled to begin service in several months. With it has come a surge of investment in transit-oriented development.
Trinity Metro Needs Funding the Forth Worth City Council Doesn't Want to Give
The federal government has committed funding to two transit projects in Fort Worth, if local officials can provide matching funding. Fort Worth councilmembers are having trouble parting with the cash.
Metra North Central Service Line Riders Push for More Service
A new report imagines more robust service on one of Metra's regional commuter lines in Chicago.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service