Author: Kim Britton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ride Free To Vote

TERRELL, TX— Oct. 25, 2022 — STAR Transit is offering free, round-trip rides to local polling places on Election Day, encouraging all eligible voters to participate.

The free service is available Tuesday, Nov. 8.

All STAR Transit services are available, including Demand Response, Fixed Routes and STARNow. To ride free on STARNow, use the code Vote2022. Rides must be in the STAR Transit service area or STARNow zone and are based on availability. Voters must tell bus operators and reservationists they are riding to and from the polls.

To schedule a free ride to vote, call STAR Transit no less than 30 minutes in advance of the desired trip. Scheduling agents are available during normal business hours, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday-Friday at (877) 631-5278. To book a STARNow ride, use the STARNow app, which can be downloaded free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Se Habla Español.

Election Day Voting Locations:

• Kaufman County – https://www.kaufmancounty.net/elections/
• Rockwall County – http://www.rockwallvotes.com/
• Dallas County – http://www.dallascountyvotes.org/

Make your voice heard by casting your 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, seniors, veterans, and persons with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, and entertainment, etc. More than 100 employees are responsible for providing over 135,000 rides annually. The agency is headquartered in Terrell, Texas. For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

STAR Transit Seeks Public Input on DeSoto’s Transit Priorities

TERRELL, Texas – Oct. 12, 2022 – STAR Transit is seeking public feedback about its services in DeSoto, as part of a comprehensive evaluation that will build a foundation for development of recommendations on potential system enhancements.

“STAR Transit is working hard to improve transit in DeSoto, and we want to hear from you,” Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director, said. “Please take our brief survey to tell us about your experience and what you want to see from transit in the future. If you don’t use transit, that’s OK. We want to hear from everyone.”

The survey is open and can be accessed via:

• Survey link, English: https://bit.ly/DeSotoTransitSurvey22
• Survey link, Spanish: https://bit.ly/DeSotoTransitStudy_Enespañol
• Facebook: facebook.com/startransit
• Instagram: @startransit_official

The digital version of the survey will remain open through Nov. 30. STAR Transit also plans to distribute the surveys in person in the city.

STAR Transit operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with STAR Transit. If you need any accommodations or prefer to receive a hard copy of the survey, please contact STAR Transit at (877) 631-5278.

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 public, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, and entertainment. More than 100 employees are responsible for providing over 135,000 rides annually. The agency is headquartered in Terrell.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

STAR Transit is requesting proposals for the procurement of a Transit Scheduling Software Project #2023111.  STAR Transit will issue an award to the vendor that provides the best value proposal.

RFP Issued:	Friday, September 30, 2022
Deadline for Questions:	Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Responses to Questions Posted:	Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Proposals Due:	November 16, 2022, by 3:00 P.M. CST
Interviews (if needed):	November 21 – November 27, 2022
Notice to Proceed (NTP):	Anticipated on or before December 7, 2022

Below are the related documents:

2023111_Transit Scheduling Software_ADDENDUM 1

2023111_RFP_Transit Scheduling Software v2_Amended

2023111_Transit Scheduling Software_ADDENDUM 2

2023111_RFP_Transit Scheduling Software v3_Amendment 2

2023111_TransitSchedSoftware_Q&A – 10.19.22

STAR Transit reserves the right to make changes to the above-mentioned schedule. All such changes shall be made by an amendment to the solicitation or a letter to all the firms.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

STAR TRANSIT INTRODUCES GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN MESQUITE THROUGH ON-DEMAND SERVICE

MESQUITE, Texas — 9/22/22 — STAR Transit will transition Mesquite’s Route 201 (COMPASS) bus to on-demand service Oct. 1, giving passengers greater flexibility in travelling throughout the area. Additionally, the service area will be expanded to travel to places previously not covered.

Passengers can use their STARNow mobile app or call 877-631-5278 to schedule on-demand service aboard STAR Transit’s fleet of vehicles.  STARNow on-demand service in Mesquite operates 6 am-8 pm. weekdays, and 8 am-5 pm Saturdays.

During the transition, rush-hour passengers travelling between the Mesquite Park & Ride at Hanby Stadium and DART’s Lawnview Station will be able to catch shuttles at Hanby once an hour between 6 am and 8 am weekdays, rather than the Route 201 (COMPASS) bus. On the return trip, passengers will be able to catch shuttles at Lawnview Station to Hanby once an hour between 3 pm and 6 pm weekdays.

“STAR Transit is enthusiastic about enhancing our riders’ experience by offering more flexibility and customization. The STARNow mobile app makes riding with us easier than ever, and we look forward to serving even more Mesquite residents through our expanded STARNow zone,” Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit’s executive director, said. “Passengers won’t have to ride on someone else’s schedule. They will just have to step aboard.”

Rides within the STARNow travel zone cost $2 each way. Seniors 60 and older, veterans and riders who have disabilities ride for $1 each way. Children 12 and under ride for free, with another passenger who’s on a paid fare.

“In our survey of people in Mesquite this summer, we asked riders and potential riders what they want from their public transit service,” said Henricks. “More than 80 percent of the respondents say they want the service to be reliable. And more than 80 percent tell us they want it to be easy to use. These changes are making it much easier for people in Mesquite to reliably travel around the city, whenever and wherever they want to go. They can use their mobile app to schedule same-day service, or they can just call us.”

STAR Transit conducted a Mesquite Ridership Satisfaction Survey between May 30 and July 15 this year. A total 158 surveys were completed, and the city publicized the survey on the STAR Transit web site and social media, City of Mesquite social media, news media, outdoor advertising on STAR Transit vehicles, and announcements in the STARNow app. Besides reliability and ease of use, the survey respondents gave high priority to safety and friendliness, frequency, time savings, and speed.

Henricks continued “The survey results support replacing the COMPASS bus service with a revamped on-demand service, allowing riders greater flexibility in deciding when and where they travel.”

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 public, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, and entertainment. More than 100 employees are responsible for providing over 135,000 rides annually. The agency is headquartered in Terrell. For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

In observance of Labor Day, STAR Transit will be closed Monday, September 5.  This includes:

STAR Transit is requesting proposals for the procurement of a Solar PV Project #2022111.  STAR Transit will issue an award to the vendor that provides the best value proposal.

RFP Issued:	July 6, 2022
Deadline for Questions:	July 15, 2022 by 4:00 P.M. CST
Responses to Questions Posted:	July 19, 2022 by 4:00 P.M. CST
Proposals Due:	July 26, 2022 by 3:00 P.M. CST
Interviews (if needed):	July 27-29, 2022
Notice to Proceed (NTP):	Anticipated on or before August 10, 2022

STAR Transit reserves the right to make changes to the above-mentioned schedule. All such changes shall be made by an amendment to the RFP and shall be posted on STAR Transit’s website at https://www.startransit.org/about-us/business-center/.

VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING PRESENTATION

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that STAR Transit will hold two public meetings to involve citizen participation regarding potential service changes in Mesquite. Anyone wishing to make comments are invited to attend and express their views.

Public Meeting #1
When:           Tuesday, June 21, 2022 @ 6:30 pm
Where:          Mesquite City Hall, 2^nd Floor Training Rooms, 757 N. Galloway Ave., Mesquite, TX 75149

STAR Transit will simultaneously conduct this meeting via phone/virtual conference. The virtual meeting is accessible in the following ways:

Via Zoom:     https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89277074287
Dial:               1 346 248 7799 (Meeting ID: 892 7707 4287)
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/startransit/

Public Meeting #2
When:           Friday, June 24, 2022 @ Noon
Where:          Oak Street Health, 2110 N. Galloway Ave, Suite 116, Mesquite, TX 75150

STAR Transit will simultaneously conduct this meeting via phone/virtual conference. The virtual meeting is accessible in the following ways:

Via Zoom:     https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83535157969
Dial:               1 346 248 7799 (Meeting ID: 835 3515 7969)
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/startransit/

Assistive listening devices, materials in other alternative formats, American Sign Language interpreters and other accommodations will be made available upon request. Contact Teresa Elliott, 469-474-2309 (V), 1-800-RELAYTX (735-2989) (TTY). Providing at least 72 hours notice (or two weeks notice for American Sign Language interpreters) will help to ensure availability. Un traductor español estará disponible.

The public comment period will end at the close of business July 8, 2022. There are several ways to complete a Mesquite Transit Survey Form.

• Complete and submit the form online: https://bit.ly/MesquiteTransitSurvey22 (En español:  https://bit.ly/MesquiteStudy_Enespañol)
• Mail: Print and complete the Mesquite Survey for Print_5 2022 (En español:  Mesquite Survey for Print_Espanol_5 31 22) and mail to: STAR Transit, Attention Teresa Elliott, P.O. Box 703, Terrell, TX 75160
• Fax: Print and complete the Mesquite Survey for Print_5 2022 (En español:  Mesquite Survey for Print_Espanol_5 31 22) and fax to (972) 563-0048.
• Pick up a form at Operations Center: STAR Transit, 500 Industrial Blvd., Terrell, Texas 75160
• Email: Email request to STAR Transit Customer Care at [email protected]

For more information, call 877-631-5278 or go to STAR Transit’s website, www.STARtransit.org.

For Immediate Release

STAR Transit seeks public input on Mesquite’s transit priorities

(TERRELL, TX) – June 2, 2022 – STAR Transit is seeking public feedback about its services in Mesquite, as part of a comprehensive evaluation that will build a foundation for development of recommendations on potential system enhancements.

“STAR Transit is working to make transit in Mesquite better, and we want to hear from you,” Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director, said. “Please take our brief survey to tell us about your experience and what you want to see from transit in the future. If you don’t currently use transit, that’s OK, we want to hear from everyone.”

The survey is open and can be accessed via:

Survey link:
https://bit.ly/MesquiteTransitSurvey22
https://bit.ly/MesquiteStudy_Enespañol

Website:
STARtransit.org

Social Media:
Facebook (facebook.com/startransit)
Instagram (@startransit_official)

The digital version of the survey will remain open through July 8. In addition, STAR Transit will distribute and collect printed surveys during rides and at local community centers.

STAR Transit operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with STAR Transit. If you need any accommodations or prefer to receive a hard copy of the survey, please contact STAR Transit at (877) 631-5278.

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 public, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities for access to jobs, healthcare, personal services, retail, and entertainment. More than 100 employees are responsible for providing over 135,000 rides annually. The agency is headquartered in Terrell.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

In observance of Memorial Day, STAR Transit will be closed Monday, May 30.  This includes:

• STAR Transit admin office/Call Center.
• Demand Response service.
• STARNow service in Kaufman County, Mesquite, Balch Springs, Seagoville nor DeSoto.
• Fixed route service (Balch Springs Rte. 101/COMPASS Rte. 201/Hutchins Rte. 401.)
• GoLink Inland Port Connect

These services will resume regular operation on Tuesday, May 31.

For more information call 877-631-5278 or visit www.STARtransit.org.