Author: Kim Britton

The 5310 Public Involvement Virtual Workshops provide an opportunity to gather input from a diverse group of local stakeholders and the public to assist TxDOT in making decisions regarding the Federal Funding for the 5310 Program and identify how they can best use their resources to serve the mobility needs of the community. TxDOT is seeking the participation of, seniors, individuals with disabilities, representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers, and other members of the public who share TxDOT’s goal of improving the local mobility services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Regional public workshops will be held in December 2024 and January 2025. The comment period for the virtual public workshops will close on Jan. 17, 2025.

Visit txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/statewide/fta-5310-fy25.html.  The landing page is accessible 24/7 and includes the online survey, schedule, meeting links, flyers, and other meeting materials. Each workshop can be accessed by clicking on the name of the district/region. If you have schedule conflicts and can’t attend the meeting, TxDOT still wants feedback, just complete the online survey at your convenience.

For Immediate Release

TERRELL, Texas — Nov. 12, 2024 — Longtime public transit advocate Omega Hawkins was honored with the Key to the City by Terrell Mayor Rick Carmona, who proclaimed October 26 as “Omega Hawkins Day.”

“A true champion of public transit, Omega’s advocacy spans over four decades in Terrell and across North Central Texas,” said Mayor Carmona.

Hawkins began her career in 1980 with Kaufman County Senior Citizens Services and then Kaufman Area Rural Transit (KART), the precursors to the creation of STAR Transit in 2011.  Hawkins served as STAR Transit executive director until retiring in 2019, after which she served on its board of directors.

“Omega has worked tirelessly to expand public transit access for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and rural communities,” said Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director.  “All these years later, STAR Transit offers affordable transit service to people from all walks of life across four counties.  We owe this success to Omega’s dedication.”

At the same ceremony, the first annual Omega Hawkins Award was presented to Alice Smith for exemplifying Hawkins’ values of safety, reliability, kindness, and compassion.  Smith has been a driver for over 11 years.

The following STAR Transit employees also received recognition:

• Extra Mile Award: Gary Williams
• Outstanding Customer Service Award: James “JJ” Janicek
• Outstanding Service Award: Felicia Smith
• Rookie of the Year: Johnnie Johnson
• Driver of the Year: Janice McLean

“Our dedicated team follows in the footsteps of Omega Hawkins, continuing to provide outstanding public transit service.  Congratulations to all our award recipients!” concluded Henricks.

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About STAR Transit.  Founded in 1988, STAR Transit is the fourth-largest transit agency in the North Central Texas region—and the largest not funded by sales tax.  Revenues are derived from federal and state grants as well as local partnerships with cities, counties, and businesses.  STAR Transit provides safe, affordable, and convenient transportation to the general public, persons 60 and older, veterans, and individuals with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, entertainment, and more.  Over 100 employees are responsible for providing more than 215,000 rides annually.  The agency is headquartered in Terrell, TX.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

TERRELL, TX — October 16, 2024 — STAR Transit is offering free, round-trip rides to local polling places for early and election day voting, encouraging all registered voters to participate.

Free service for early voting will be available weekdays across the entire STAR Transit service area from Monday, October 21 through Friday, November 1.  In Balch Springs, Mesquite, and Terrell only, free service is also available for early voting on Saturday, October 26.  Free service to the polls is available across the entire service area on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.

All STAR Transit services, including Demand Response, Fixed Routes, and STARNow are eligible for this offer.  To ride for free, tell the bus operator or reservationist you are riding to and from the polls, or use the code Vote2024 on the STARNow app.  Rides are subject to availability and must be in the STAR Transit service area or STARNow zone.  Free rides are only available to voters traveling to and from the polls.

To schedule a free ride to vote, call STAR Transit at least 30 minutes in advance of the desired trip.  Scheduling agents are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at (877) 631-5278.  To book a STARNow ride, download the STARNow app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.  Se habla español.

For more information on voting locations, visit:

• Dallas County – www.DallasCountyVotes.org
• Kaufman County – www.KaufmanCounty.net/434/Current-Election-Information
• Rockwall County – www.RockwallVotes.com

“We’re proud to support our community and offer free rides to vote,” said Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit Executive Director.  “Regardless of your political affiliation, we want to empower our community members to make their voices heard by casting a ballot.”

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About STAR Transit.  Founded in 1988, STAR Transit is the fourth-largest transit agency in the North Central Texas region—and the largest not funded by sales tax.  Revenues are derived from federal and state grants as well as local partnerships with cities, counties, and businesses.  STAR Transit provides safe, affordable, and convenient transportation to the general public, persons 60 and older, veterans, and individuals with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, entertainment, and more.  Over 100 employees are responsible for providing more than 215,000 rides annually.  The agency is headquartered in Terrell, TX.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

For Immediate Release

TERRELL, TX — September 23, 2024 — STAR Transit, a regional public transit agency, is proud to provide transportation connections to the State Fair of Texas.  Riders can conveniently take STAR Transit to a variety of DART stations to connect to Fair Park.

“STAR Transit is proud to connect residents and visitors to the State Fair,” says Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director.  “For just a few dollars, you can connect to the State Fair with STAR Transit and DART, saving the expense, time, and headache of finding parking near the fairgrounds.”

STAR Transit conveniently connects to DART at six southeast Dallas County locations:

• Buckner Station via Balch Springs Midtown Express 101; STARNow
• Lawnview Station via STARNow
• UNT Dallas Station via Hutchins Shuttle 401; STARNow
• Red Bird Transit Center via STARNow
• Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center via STARNow
• Glenn Heights Park & Ride via STARNow

“Whether you take on-demand STARNow service, or one of our fixed-routes, STAR Transit connects you to where you want to go,” adds Henricks.

STAR Transit provides public transit in Kaufman County, Rockwall County, Balch Springs, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Mesquite, and Seagoville.  For more information on how to use STAR Transit to connect to the State Fair of Texas, visit STARtransit.org/how-to-ride/connections-to-DART, or call 877-631-5278.

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About STAR Transit.  Founded in 1988, STAR Transit is the fourth-largest transit agency in the North Central Texas region—and the largest not funded by sales tax.  Revenues are derived from federal and state grants as well as local partnerships with cities, counties, and businesses.  STAR Transit provides safe, affordable, and convenient transportation to the general public, persons 60 and older, veterans, and individuals with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, entertainment, and more.  Over 100 employees are responsible for providing more than 215,000 rides annually.  The agency is headquartered in Terrell, TX.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

In observance of Labor Day, STAR Transit’s offices will be closed Monday, September 2. This includes demand response, same day service and all bus routes operated by STAR Transit. For more information call 877-631-5278 or visit www.STARtransit.org. Enjoy time with family and have a safe holiday.

STAR Transit is a Texas Rural Public Transportation District and Governmental Entity organized and existing under Chapter 458 of the Texas Transportation Code.

STAR Transit now has an open Board of Directors position for Place 1.

Under our current ByLaws, this open nomination process is open to our citizens in our entire service area.  Nominations will be accepted from any official elected to public office in the STAR Transit service area or any identified member of the public who has established residency in the STAR Transit Service Area.  To be eligible to serve on the Board, the individual must be maintaining a place of permanent residence or full-time employment in the STAR Transit service area, currently in Kaufman and Rockwall Counties and the Cities of Balch Springs, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Mesquite, and Seagoville.

Nominations require the use of a STAR Transit Board Nomination Form and completed Board of Directors Application.  The form allows residents to nominate a Board of Director and an associated Alternate.  Alternates to the STAR Board vote only upon absence of the Primary Board Member.  To be considered, the forms must arrive to STAR Transit by October 2, 2024

Under our process, the Nominations Committee of the Board of Directors will review all eligible nominations and make a recommendation at a Board of Directors meeting following Nomination due date.

Bylaws 11.16.21 Current

Nominee Application 2024

Nominations Form Fill

For additional information, please feel free to contact Teresa Elliott, Project Manager/Executive Assistant at [email protected] or 469-474-2309.

PROVIDE FEEDBACK by taking the Access North Texas Survey | This survey is open to all interested individuals and will help us identify transportation needs in the region. Your participation is greatly appreciated! Take the survey: https://www.publicinput.com/AccessNorthTexas

For Immediate Release

Balch Springs Mayor Applauds 10 Years of STAR Transit Service

TERRELL, TX — June 11, 2024 — STAR Transit, a regional public transit agency, celebrated its 10^th anniversary of serving residents of Balch Springs on May 1.  The agency has provided public transit to the City of Balch Springs since May 1, 2014.

On Monday, June 10, Balch Springs Mayor Dr. Carrie Gordon issued a formal proclamation recognizing STAR Transit’s decade of service within city limits.

“Since the planting of a seed over 10 years ago, the partnership between STAR Transit and the City of Balch Springs has fared exceptionally well,” said Mayor Gordon.  “Today, we thank the elected officials and citizens that supported and continue to support public transit in Balch Springs, which now serves as a beacon in the southeast and southwest regions of Dallas County.”

“We’ve been proud to provide safe, affordable, and convenient transportation to Balch Springs since 2014,” said Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director.  “Through population growth, winter storms, COVID-19, and more, we’ve worked in lockstep with Balch Springs to meet the needs of their residents for the past 10 years.  We are excited for what the next 10 years hold.”

STAR Transit has provided public transit to local communities since 1988.  In addition to Balch Springs, the agency also serves Kaufman County, Rockwall County, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Mesquite, and Seagoville.  For more information about STAR Transit, visit STARtransit.org or call 877-631-5278.

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About STAR Transit.  Founded in 1988, STAR Transit is the fourth-largest transit agency in the North Central Texas region—and the largest not funded by sales tax.  Revenues are derived from federal and state grants as well as local partnerships with cities, counties, and businesses.  STAR Transit provides safe, affordable, and convenient transportation to the general public, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, entertainment, and more.  Over 100 employees are responsible for providing more than 215,000 rides annually.  The agency is headquartered in Terrell, TX.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.