Trinity Metro transit agency will spend 36% more in fiscal year 2026 as costs for personnel, transportation services and needed equipment continue to rise \u2014 increases that are offset by millions more in expected revenue.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 22, the board of directors approved a $222.3 million operating budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. That amount is a $58.6 million increase from the $163.7 million operating budget approved last year.<\/p>\n
However, Trinity Metro officials said they expect to receive more than $229.6 million in revenue, the bulk of which will come from sales tax allocations of $135.5 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chief Financial Officer Greg Jordan said revenue is increasing 2.1% over last year.<\/p>\n
Additional revenue will come from $34.6 million in operating grants, $26.3 in capital grants and $25.6 million from other sources, including $6 million from Dallas Area Rapid Transit\u2019s Silver Line, which will share Trinity Metro\u2019s two TEXRail stations at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when that line launches on Oct. 25.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a small but important reimbursement,\u201d board chair Jeff Davis said of the Silver Line revenue.<\/p>\n
Trinity Metro receives a .5% portion of the local 8,.25% sales tax.<\/p>\n
The agency has reduced some expenses from the 2025 fiscal budget. Transportation costs \u2014 the second-highest expense after personnel \u2014 went from $64.3 million to $62.7 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Expenses for fuel and lubricants decreased by about $1 million while costs for tires, tubes and and parts were slightly slower at $4.5 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Other expenses for supplies, utilities and insurance increased.<\/p>\n
Bus operational costs rose slightly from about $25.2 million last year to $25.9 million in fiscal 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Operational costs for TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express, two popular passenger rail lines, will also increase.\u00a0<\/p>\n
TEXRail, which travels from downtown Fort Worth to DFW Airport, will cost Trinity Metro about 7% more, rising from about $33.7 million last year to $36.1 million in fiscal 2026.<\/p>\n
Trinity Railway Express, a route connecting downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas jointly owned by Trinity Metro and DART, will see an increase in costs. Trinity Metro officials spent about $19.2 million last year, but allocated about $23 million in fiscal 2026.<\/p>\n
Agency officials will reduce spending for most On-Demand rideshare programs, which operate in six zones in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
Safety and security measures, which include replacing surveillance cameras on the Trinity Railway Express trains and new barrier safety doors on buses for drivers, will total about $1.6 million, officials said.<\/p>\n
Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n News decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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