Arlington's transportation landscape is welcoming a fresh face with the pilot launch of Arlington Express, the city's latest effort to provide public transit solutions. For an affordable fare of $3, commuters can now take a direct trip to key locations within the city during the peak rush hours of early mornings and late afternoons. Announced by the City of Arlington, this service aims to offer efficient connectivity between City Hall, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the CentrePort TRE Station, with onward connections to Fort Worth, Dallas, and additional destinations.
The initiative operates a fleet of three vans, each accommodating up to six ambulatory passengers and one passenger who uses a wheelchair. Having launched this service, drivers receiving special training to assist passengers with mobility challenges, strive to improve the inclusiveness and accessibility of city transport. Running from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, Arlington Express focuses on serving the collective commuting needs of residents and students alike.
The service stops at prime locations such as Arlington City Hall at the corner of Pecan Street and Abram Street, the University Center near the Starbucks entrance at UTA, and the bustling CentrePort TRE Station. The three-year pilot program is primarily sustained through federal transportation grant funding to the tune of $1,126,837, as complemented by $281,718 sourced from the city's coffers. Booking a ride is a process designed to be user-friendly; one can schedule their journey via the Arlington Transportation app or simply make a call to 817-784-7382 within the stipulated Express hours.
Additionally, the vans are not limited to the Express service; during off-peak hours, they integrate seamlessly into the broader network of the Arlington On-Demand rideshare public transportation service. The same vehicles that whisk commuters to their morning duties, since seven years ago, have been encompassing over 3 million trips across the city spanning a 99-square-mile area. This service includes weekend availability and adjustable fares based on travel distance, offering further convenience to residents navigating Arlington and the surrounding areas.
