FORT WORTH, Texas — At least 100 people were left behind by a jampacked Trinity Railway Express train on its Thursday midday run out of Fort Worth, victims of a commuter car shortage and unanticipated crowds, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Regular commuters use the rail service less during the holidays, and Train 2926 is not popular on most days, but Thursday’s three-car train probably would have needed two additional cars to carry all who showed up.
“We were going to take the train for fun, to Dallas, to let the kids go to the West End, to the [Dallas World] aquarium,” Fort Worth resident Lucy Stella said. “They could have made other arrangements for this time of year. They’ve got to know it’s going to be busy.”
To compound the disappointment, most of the passengers who were left behind had purchased tickets, which must be used within the day and are marked as nonrefundable. The Trinity Railway Express does not punch tickets, so it is difficult to determine whether tickets are used or not, officials said.
Bus rides were offered as an alternative, officials with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority said. Some riders said they were unaware of the offer.
Also, the T will use the “honor system” to refund tickets.
“If they take the trouble to mail it in, we do make refunds,” said John Bartosiewicz, the T general manager.
In an attempt to avoid similar complications today, transit officials were trying to finish repairs to at least one out-of-service car for today’s midday train.
“We’re trying to see if we can work up a car, but we don’t know if we’ll be able to do that,” Trinity Railway Express director Bonnie Duhr-Murphy said. “Generally, that train does not carry that many people.”
Officials say they will also look at switching to a three-car or even five-car two-level train. The midday train is usually a three-car single-level train.
Records indicate that since two downtown Fort Worth stations opened Dec. 3, the Trinity Railway Express typically carries between 6,400 and 7,500 riders daily, with 8,000-plus riders on days with special events.
Train 2926, which leaves the Texas & Pacific Station at 12:02 p.m. and leaves the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center at 12:07 p.m., usually picks up fewer than 100 riders in Fort Worth. That train has not had capacity problems before.
On Wednesday, the train picked up 183 riders at the T&P Station and 68 riders at the Intermodal Transportation Center. On Thursday, estimates ranged from a “handful” more than 300 people to as many as 500 people who showed up at the two Fort Worth stations intending to ride the train.
“We may have had about five people stand on the train to Dallas, but nothing like today,” Duhr-Murphy said.
While the purpose of the Trinity Railway Express is to deliver commuters to their jobs, the line has also been popular with those attending special events. Trains are arranged for sporting events and concerts at the American Airlines Center. Weekend riders often use the train to get to and from the West End in Dallas. Officials hope that those headed for Sundance Square will begin to use the service in the same way.
Next month, special trains will take riders to downtown Fort Worth, where shuttles will transport them to the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Officials have also been looking at adding special-event service for NASCAR races and other events at Texas Motor Speedway.
Officials said they will monitor the situation and make changes as early as today if holiday travel needs to be added to the list of special events.