News

In observance of Memorial Day, STAR Transit’s offices will be closed Monday, May 29. 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

The public comment period is underway for the proposed transit services in Cedar Hill.  The comment period will end at the close of business May 26, 2023. There are several ways to complete a Public Comment Form.

• Complete and submit the form online: Public Comment Form
• Mail: Print and complete the PublicMeetingCommentForm_5 2023 (En español:  PublicMeetingCommentForm_Spanish_5 2023) and mail to: STAR Transit, Attention Teresa Elliott, P.O. Box 703, Terrell, TX 75160
• Fax: Print and complete the PublicMeetingCommentForm_5 2023 (En español:  PublicMeetingCommentForm_Spanish_5 2023) 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

Ride Free to Vote

TERRELL, TX— Apr. 26, 2023 — STAR Transit is offering free, round-trip rides to local polling places for early voting, encouraging all eligible voters to participate.

Free service for early voting continues weekdays through Tuesday, May 2, across the entire STAR Transit service area.  In Mesquite and Balch Springs only, free service is available for early voting Saturday, April 29, and for Election Day Saturday, May 6.

All STAR Transit services are available, including Demand Response, Fixed Routes, and STARNow. To ride free on STARNow, use the code Vote2023.  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.

Voting Locations:

• Kaufman County – https://www.kaufmancounty.net/237/Elections
• Rockwall County – https://www.rockwallvotes.com/
• Dallas County – https://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, entertainment, and more.  Over 100 employees are responsible for providing more than 155,000 rides annually.  The agency is headquartered in Terrell, TX.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.

Public Meeting Presentation

 

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that STAR Transit will hold two public meetings to involve citizen participation regarding new public transportation options in the city of Cedar Hill. Anyone wishing to make comments are invited to attend and express their views.

Public Meeting #1
When:           Wednesday, May 10 @ 6:00 pm
Where:          Cedar Hill Government Center, 285 Uptown Blvd., Cedar Hill, TX 75104

Public Meeting #2
When:           Friday, May 12 @ Noon
Where:          Cedar Hill Senior Activity Center, 1740 Mansfield Rd., Cedar Hill, TX 75104

STAR Transit will simultaneously conduct the May 12th meeting via phone/virtual conference. The virtual meeting is accessible in the following ways:

Via Zoom:     https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83215752964
Dial:              +1 669 444 9171 US (Meeting ID: 832 1575 2964)
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 on May 26, 2023.  There are several ways to complete a Public Comment Form.

• Complete and submit the form online: Public Comment Form
• Mail: Print and complete the PublicMeetingCommentForm_5 2023 (En español:  PublicMeetingCommentForm_Spanish_5 2023) and mail to: STAR Transit, Attention Teresa Elliott, P.O. Box 703, Terrell, TX 75160
• Fax: Print and complete the PublicMeetingCommentForm_5 2023 (En español:  PublicMeetingCommentForm_Spanish_5 2023) 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.

In observance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, STAR Transit will be closed Friday, April 7^th and Sunday, April 9^th.

The following services will not operate, Fri., April 7^th:

• Demand Response
• STARNow service in Terrell, Kaufman, Forney, Seagoville, Mesquite, DeSoto nor Balch Springs.
• Fixed route service (Balch Springs Rte. 101/COMPASS Shuttle/Hutchins Rte. 401)

GoLink operated by STAR Transit will operate a normal schedule, Friday, April 7^th.

The following services will not operate, Sun., April 9th:

• Fixed route service (Hutchins Rte. 401)

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

The North Central Texas Council of Governments is holding a public meeting on the Eastern Dallas County, Rockwall County, and Kaufman County Transit Study. We want to hear from you! Learn more about the study and give us your feedback on public transportation in your county.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 at 6 PM
Rockwall County Library
1215 E Yellow Jacket Lane
Rockwall, TX 75087

This study aims to develop a comprehensive public transportation plan for cities in Eastern Dallas county that are not members of Dallas Area Rapid Transit, as well as Kaufman and Rockwall counties. The study will identify transit options, funding and implementation strategies, and potential community impacts. In addition to the meeting, fill out our transit survey at: www.publicinput.com/edkrsurvey.

More information can be found here: North Central Texas Council of Governments – East Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall Counties Regional Transit Study (nctcog.org)

In observance of President’s Day, STAR Transit will be closed Monday, February 20.  This includes:

• STAR Transit admin office.
• Demand Response service.
• STARNow service in Kaufman County, Mesquite, Balch Springs, Seagoville nor DeSoto.
• Fixed route service (Balch Springs Rte. 101/COMPASS Shuttle/Hutchins Rte. 401.)

These services will resume regular operation on Tuesday, February 21.

• GoLink operated by STAR Transit will operate a normal schedule.

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

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 7.

Under our current ByLaws, this open nomination process is open to 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 maintain 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, DeSoto, 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 Transit Board vote only upon absence of the Primary Board Member.  To be considered, the forms must arrive to STAR Transit by February 28, 2023.

Under our process, the Nominations Committee of the Board of Directors will review all eligible nominations and make a recommendation at an upcoming Board of Directors meeting.

For a copy of our ByLaws, Nomination Form and/or Board of Directors Application, click on the link below.

ByLaws
Nominations Form
Board of Directors Application

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

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, STAR Transit will be closed Monday, January 16.  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 Shuttle/Hutchins Rte. 401.)

These services will resume regular operation on Tuesday, January 17.

• GoLink operated by STAR Transit will operate a normal schedule.

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

For Immediate Release

STAR Transit announces Employee and Driver of the Year

TERRELL, Texas — Dec. 21, 2022 — Nine people were recently honored during STAR Transit’s Quarterly Driver Safety Meetings and Employee Appreciation Week.  Rosalyn Bain was announced as the 2022 Employee of the Year, and Brock Vawter received the 2022 Driver of Year award.

Nominees for Driver of the Year included Vawter, Bradley Danyluk, Kenneth Pierce, and Pat Strange. Mr. Vawter has been with the agency for over eight years and drives all of STAR Transit’s service area.

“It’s wonderful to work alongside someone that makes rider safety a priority and takes pride in the work he does every day,” Antonio Harris, STAR Transit’s transportation director, said. “This award is very well deserved.”

As recipient of Driver of the Year, Vawter received $1,000.

Nominees for Employee of the Year included Ms. Bain, Antonio Harris, and Margaret Casey. Ms. Bain has been with the agency for over eight years and serves as asset management coordinator.

“Rosalyn had many successes throughout the year,” Tommy Henricks, STAR Transit executive director, said. “The smooth transition from our legacy fleet management software to a new vendor was a highlight. She made coordinating the change and training staff look effortless. Congratulations Rosalyn!”

As the recipient of Employee of the Year, Bain received $500 and two paid days off.

STAR Transit launched the Employee of the Year and Driver of the Year initiative in September of 2015.

In addition to Driver of the Year and Employee of the Year, the following employees also received recognition.

• Outstanding Customer Service: Shirley Tamang and Jasmine Wynn
• Humanitarian Award: Valerie Orr
• Outstanding Service: Janice McLean
• Extra Mile Award: Ricky Ragan
• Admin Rookie of the Year: Lucy Betancourt
• Driver Rookie of the Year: Kenneth Pierce

“These programs recognize many of the outstanding employees we have on our team.  Congratulations to all our recipients!” Henricks said.

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, TX.  For more information, visit STARtransit.org.