Delayed Opening for TEXRail Blamed on Federal Shutdown

Trinity Metro ended up delaying the opening of the new TexRail line for five days—from Saturday, January 5, until Thursday, January 10.

1 minute read

January 9, 2019, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"TexRail -- the brand-new rail line from Fort Worth to DFW International Airport -- won't open Saturday after all," according to an article on KERA News posted last week, days before the scheduled opening. "The hold-up, according to Fort Worth's transit agency, is the partial federal government shutdown."

The decision to delay the opening had critics of the decision questioning whether that could really be the cause.

"On Monday, prospective TEXRail riders took to social media to criticize Trinity Metro, the local transit agency building the line, for not providing the public more information about the postponement," reports Amanda McCoy in a separate article that includes a lot more detail about the events leading up to the delay, and the public fallout from the decision.

Late Monday, the news shifted again, as Trinity Metro announced it would open the new rail line on Thursday. "Trinity Metro issued an update Monday, saying it's received word from the FRA that the 27-mile route has been approved for passenger service," according to a follow up article by KERA News.

Monday, January 7, 2019 in Fort Worth Star-Telegram

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

July 15 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

July 15 - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

July 15 - Bloomberg