Grapevine is a very popular destination for TEXRail riders.
Each month, thousands of people ride the train to the northeast Tarrant County city, designated in 2009 as the Christmas Capital of Texas. With more than 1,400 events over 40 days, the city attracts tens of thousands during the holiday season. Other events — such as the Main Street Fest in May and GrapeFest in September — help attract people to the town throughout the year.
For riders from downtown Fort Worth’s Central and T&P stations, Grapevine Station is TEXRail’s second-most popular stop after Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B station, according to Trinity Metro, Fort Worth’s transit agency.
About 76,000 passengers use TEXRail most months although ridership usually dips in January and February each year. Of those, more than 8,400 TEXRail riders visited Grapevine in October, the most recent figures available. That number is up from 8,000 riders recorded in the same month in 2024, Trinity Metro data shows.
A round-trip TEXRail day pass cost $4, payable on the Go Pass app, at train station kiosks or at the ticketing booth at downtown Fort Worth’s Central Station. Data shows that the line’s on-time performance met or exceeded Trinity Metro’s 98% goal most of fiscal year 2024.
“It’s not hard to convince people to ride transit,” said Rich Andreski, president and CEO of Trinity Metro. “It’s just a matter of delivering great service.”
TEXRail passenger trains stop at Grapevine Station, located within walking distance of dozens of Main Street shops and restaurants. The station is a popular destination for day trips, especially since Harvest Hall, with restaurants and an observation tower, is next door.
From the station, visitors can hop on a free shuttle bus operated by the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau. Three routes stop at the city’s resorts, hotels, Grapevine Mills mall, DFW Airport and certain stores, such as Target. One shuttle operates during the holiday season and the other three resume in January.
Trinity Metro added several nighttime trains on weekends in December since ridership in that month exceeded 100,000 passengers in 2024.
“This is the story that sells the mission,” Andreski said, noting that the agency seeks to invest in more transit-related developments such as mixed-use projects with residential and retail elements.
North Richland Hills stops
TEXRail riders also frequently stop at two rail stations in North Richland Hills.
Although the Smithfield Station drew 8,100 riders in October, options for day trips are limited since the area is mostly residential. However, a new $5 million restaurant and event center by Patriot Pig Smokehouse is in the works nearby.
South of Smithfield is the Iron Horse Station, near Interstate 820 and Rufe Snow Drive. That station, which drew 6,300 riders, has dozens of apartments and townhomes nearby as well as easy access to restaurants and shopping centers.
Within a mile walk of the station, stores to the east include a Walmart Super Center, Sam’s Club, Home Depot, Ross Dress for Less and more.
Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.
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