Fort Worth’s transit is simpler than you’d expect for a city this spread out: one agency, Trinity Metro, runs the buses and a commuter train, a single ticket or tap covers transfers between them, and that same train happens to run straight out to DFW Airport.
The basics
Trinity Metro runs the local bus network, the free downtown Blue Line circulator, the TEXRail commuter train, On-Demand rideshare vans, and paratransit. Trinity Metro also jointly owns and operates the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) with Dallas’s DART — a separate commuter train that connects Fort Worth to downtown Dallas.
TEXRail runs nine stations between downtown Fort Worth and DFW Airport, by way of North Richland Hills and Grapevine. TRE runs a different line east out of Fort Worth toward Dallas, stopping at CentrePort/DFW Airport Station along the way (a shuttle, not a direct station, connects CentrePort to the terminals). If your trip only stays inside Tarrant County — which covers Fort Worth, TEXRail, and TRE as far as CentrePort — a Local ticket covers it; crossing into Dallas County requires a Regional ticket instead.
How to pay
- The GoPass app is the easiest option: buy a Local, Regional, or Reduced ticket, and it shows up as a barcode you scan at the bus farebox or hold up on the train. It’s the same app used across Trinity Metro, DART, and DCTA, so it works if you’re continuing on to Dallas too. You can load cash onto a GoPass account at participating retailers if you’d rather not use a card.
- Cash on the bus works too, but bring exact change — drivers can’t make it.
- TEXRail riders buy a ticket before boarding at the ticket vending machine on the platform, or use an already-activated GoPass ticket on their phone — have it ready as you board.
Fares
A single ride is $2 ($1 reduced), and it covers Trinity Metro buses, TEXRail, On-Demand rideshare, and the West Zone of TRE (as far as CentrePort) — with transfers between them included on one fare.
| Single ride | Day pass | 7-day pass | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local (Tarrant County) | $2 | $4 | $18 | — |
| Local — Reduced | $1 | $2 | $9 | — |
| Regional (adds DART & DCTA, all of TRE) | — | $9 | — | $192 |
| Regional — Reduced | — | $4.50 | — | $96 |
Reduced fares need valid ID and apply to riders 65+, people with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, and ages 5–19 (veterans qualify too, but only on Local tickets). Kids 4 and under ride free, no ticket needed. On-Demand rideshare is a flat $2 a ride, or free if you’ve already got any multi-ride ticket.
The Blue Line, the free trolley-replacement looping downtown, doesn’t need a ticket at all.
Getting from the airport
Take TEXRail straight from DFW Airport Terminal B to downtown Fort Worth — no transfers, no shuttle.
- Cost: $2, the same as any other local ride.
- Route: TEXRail runs end to end between DFW Airport Terminal B Station and Fort Worth T&P Station, by way of Grapevine and North Richland Hills.
- Frequency & hours: About every 30 minutes from roughly 4:13am until 6:43pm, then hourly until the last train around 10:43pm (the last train from the airport runs a bit later, around 11:40pm, with one more making a shorter run to Mercantile Center Station at 12:30am). It’s the same schedule every day of the week, including weekends and holidays.
- Buy your ticket at the platform ticket machine before boarding, or have an activated GoPass ticket ready.
Two other trains also touch DFW: DART’s Orange and Silver Lines serve the airport from Dallas, and TRE reaches CentrePort/DFW Airport Station with a shuttle to the terminals — but if you’re headed to Fort Worth, TEXRail is the direct one.
Apps to download
- GoPass — the official app for buying and activating tickets on Trinity Metro, TEXRail, TRE, DART, and DCTA.
- Trinity Metro On-Demand — for booking an On-Demand rideshare pickup or a paratransit trip.
- Google Maps — solid for trip planning, with Trinity Metro’s live bus and train data built in.
When it runs
TEXRail keeps the same timetable every day of the year — Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays included — running every 30 minutes for most of the day and hourly at night. Bus frequency varies by route; check your specific route’s schedule on ridetrinitymetro.org or in the GoPass app. The Blue Line downtown circulator runs daily from 7am to 7pm, about every 7 minutes.
Accessibility
Trinity Metro describes its system as fully accessible. On-Demand Paratransit offers door-to-door service within Fort Worth and River Oaks for riders with a certified disability — pickups run from 4:20am (6am Sundays) to 11:15pm daily, with a reduced schedule on major holidays. Applying takes a signed form and can take up to 21 days to process; call 817-215-8600 to get one started.
Etiquette & local quirks
- Bikes ride free on every bus, TEXRail train, and TRE train — all have racks, and you load and unload your own bike. (Trinity Metro Bikes, the separate bike-share service, isn’t allowed aboard any other Trinity Metro vehicle.)
- Exit trains through any door along the platform; on buses, exit at the back so boarding riders up front can get on faster.
- The Blue Line loops free around downtown past Sundance Square, the Convention Center, the Water Gardens, and both downtown rail stations — handy for getting between Fort Worth Central Station and T&P Station without a car.
- Heading to the Fort Worth Stockyards? Take TEXRail to North Side Station, then transfer to Trinity Metro’s Orange Line bus — one Local ticket or day pass covers both legs.
Good to know
- A Local ticket only goes so far. It covers Fort Worth, TEXRail, and TRE’s West Zone as far as CentrePort — crossing into Dallas County means buying a Regional ticket instead.
- TRE runs on an honor system, with random fare checks. Carry your ticket or pass for the whole ride — showing up without one can mean an administrative penalty up to $50, or in some cases a misdemeanor citation up to $500.