Dallas to inaugurate new regional rail line this Saturday June 13th, 2011
At a time when transit advocates in Fort Worth and other areas of North Texas are struggling to pay for and build new rail lines, officials in Denton County have managed to get the A-train up and running quickly — and without federal funding.
On the first day of revenue service, commuters will be able to catch trains at any of five Denton County stations for a ride to Trinity Mills in Carrollton. There, they can transfer to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit light-rail system and connect to the extensive Dallas-area transit network…
Full story at: A-train commuter line is set for its first run between Denton and Carrollton, in the Star-Telegram, 11 June 2011.
Dallas Tests Battery-Power Streetcar March 15th, 2011
DALLAS, 8 March 2011 — One of the streetcars being considered by the City of Dallas took a test drive on DART Rail tracks March 8, transporting DART officials and news media between Akard, Victory and Baylor University Medical Center stations.
The ameriTRAMâ„¢ prototype is manufactured by Kinkisharyo, the maker of DART’s [and Phoenix's] light rail vehicles. The ameriTRAMâ„¢ is electric and is powered by either overhead catenary, like DART Rail, or on-board lithium-ion batteries. The vehicle can travel up to five miles on a full charge. It is 100% low floor and fully accessible. DART is working as a technical advisor with the City of Dallas on a number of streetcar projects, including the planned connection to Oak Cliff, a connection with the McKinney Avenue Trolley and a future downtown streetcar network.
Video and rest of the story here.
