High School Students in Fort Worth School District Can Travel Free on Trinity Metro Public Transit
Fort Worth, Texas - The Fort Worth Independent School District (Fort Worth ISD) has announced a pioneering partnership with Trinity Metro, the local bus and train operator, to launch a free public transportation pilot program for all high school students. The program, set to commence with the 2025-2026 academic year, will run from August 12, 2025, through July 31, 2026.
The program aims to eradicate transportation barriers and improve student access to extracurricular activities, outside tutoring, community resources, and job opportunities. Fort Worth ISD high schoolers will be able to ride Trinity Metro buses and the TEXRail train at no cost, thanks to the extensive coverage provided by Trinity Metro's 23 bus routes in Tarrant County and their rail line connecting downtown Fort Worth to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
The district's leadership has unanimously approved the program, with the superintendent authorized to finalize a memorandum of understanding before school starts. Trinity Metro officials expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, as it marks the first time a transit agency has partnered with a local school district in the area.
By removing transportation costs, the program seeks to boost academic success by enabling easier access to tutoring and educational opportunities outside regular school hours. Increased availability of transportation is expected to bolster participation in extracurricular activities, allowing students greater mobility to attend sports, clubs, and arts programs.
The program also encourages use of community resources and employment opportunities, linking students to broader social and career networks. This initiative could potentially reduce absenteeism and improve punctuality by making commuting more reliable and affordable.
The long-term vision of Trinity Metro is to ensure no student is limited by a lack of transportation for academic success, extracurricular activities, internships, or part-time jobs. District officials have expressed excitement about the potential benefits of this partnership and hope to finalize the agreement before the first day of school, Aug. 12.
Trinity Metro officials express hope that students and families will embrace this opportunity to see how transit can open doors for students and the entire household. The program is aimed at high-school students and aims to provide access to extracurricular activities, outside tutoring, community resources, and job opportunities. Students can utilize the Trinity Metro service if they miss their regular school bus.
It is important to note that the program is not intended to replace the district's yellow bus system that takes students to and from school. The free service offered by Trinity Metro is supplemental and will run until July 31, 2026.
This innovative attempt to leverage public transit to support student engagement and achievement is expected to be evaluated based on student usage and outcomes related to involvement in school and community activities. The success of the program will likely pave the way for similar initiatives in the future.
- To further expand student opportunities for education and self-development, the new partnership between Fort Worth ISD and Trinity Metro will offer free transportation access on buses and the TEXRail train, covering 23 bus routes in Tarrant County and the rail line to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
- The collaboration between Fort Worth ISD and Trinity Metro, a first in the area, will not only aim to eradicate transportation barriers for high school students but also encourage their use of community resources and employment opportunities, thereby creating solid connections within broader social and career networks.
- The long-term vision of both Fort Worth ISD and Trinity Metro involves removing transportation as a hindrance to academic success, extracurricular activities, internships, and part-time jobs, recognizing that the innovative use of transportation can open doors to opportunities in the industry and finance sectors, thereby propelling student and household well-being.
