As North Texas prepares to welcome soccer fans from around the world, public transit agencies say years of planning are about to be put to the test. Officials with DART and Trinity Metro said they are ready for visitors arriving for the FIFA World Cup, with expanded transit options, additional pers onnel, and contingency plans designed to move large crowds throughout the region. In Fort Worth on Friday, Trinity Metro held a rally highlighting preparations for the 39-day tournament, which will bring fans through North Texas as they travel between airports, downtown destinations, and match venues. “Today, we welcome the world,” Trinity Metro President and CEO Rich Andreski said. The transit agency has spent years planning how to move visitors from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to downtown Fort Worth and on to Arlington during the tournament. The World Cup will also affect DART’s service area, where officials say riders can expect increased support across the system. “Collaboration is the big C we all have to rally around,” DART Police Chief Charles Cato said. Cato said more police officers will be visible on trains throughout the tournament. DART also plans to station ambassadors wearing soccer jerseys at key rail stations to help visitors navigate the system. The agency plans to operate rail service every 20 minutes, seven days a week. DART spokesperson Trenise Winters said those plans could change if demand increases. “That plan may change. We may have to pivot,” Winters said. If needed, DART said it can deploy up to 125 additional buses and increase rail service frequency to every 10 minutes. Fans are expected to use public transportation to travel to Arlington and to events such as the Fan Fest at Fair Park. Cato said he is looking forward to showcasing North Texas transit to an international audience and learning more about the sport himself. “A master’s degree in soccer this summer,” Cato said with a laugh. For Trinity Metro, Andreski said the tournament represents an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on visitors. “It’s to show the world what Fort Worth is about, that this is a place you can come and be welcomed and maybe come back to visit again,” he said. ...read more read less