Trinity Railway Express

Transportation issues are among the greatest economic development and quality of life impediments in the North Central Texas region.  In 1994, Pavlik and Associates became part of the Parsons Brinckerhoff project management team put into place by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (the T) to build commuter rail service in Tarrant County.  In September 2000, service was extended from Dallas County to three Tarrant County stations, in part the culmination of six years of successful public strategies, community relations and public information programs designed and implemented by Pavlik.  The agency continued to work on the project through the addition of two downtown Fort Worth service locations which opened in Fall of 2001 as well as the dedication of the Intermodal Transportation Center in 2002. 

Pavlik and Associates staff functioned as the key public affairs strategist for the Trinity Railway Express in Tarrant County from 1994 through 2002.  We identified the leaderships in the various communities and special interest groups and worked to build consensus for the project and support for funding including interfacing with elected officials, municipal and agency staffs, project advocates and opponents to build consensus for issues both big and small.  Activities organized and materials produced by the agency as well as functions in which the agency were responsible included the following:

• Design and production of external communication materials including one called Connections. Connections was distributed to a database of opinion-shapers and decision makers throughout Tarrant County which was developed and frequently expanded by the Pavlik.
• Design and production of internal communication materials including one called Interchange.  This monthly newsletter always highlighted commuter rail and was distributed to all employees, vendors and contractors of the T.
• Structure and execution of public meetings, including all those with special interest groups, such as historic preservationists and economic development organizations.
• Design and implementation of media relations programs to educate the public about the various aspects of commuter rail and public transit in general.
• Structure and coordination of openings, such as community celebrations for the opening of three Tarrant County stations in September 2000, the rededication of the waiting room at the T & P Station, the opening of commuter rail into Fort Worth in November 2001, the opening of the Intermodal Transportation Center in January 2002 and the dedication of the Historic Wall in February 2002.
• Distribution of all media related news releases, coordination of interviews and distribution of materials to a master media database of nearly 100 media representatives.
• Coordination of information-sharing with historic preservation advocates and community groups in order to keep them informed about the importance of adaptive reuse of various buildings impacted by the rail.
• Development of information programs with environmental advocates throughout the North Central Texas region to assure their positive involvement in the project.
• Facilitation of meetings and discussions dealing with economic development, property rights, public art and safety issues on an as-needed basis.
• Management of crisis communications activities dealing with accidents, service problems and general misunderstandings dealing with all aspects of the project.
• Service as interim Marketing Director at the T, planning all grand opening events, media placement and developing the overall marketing plan.
• Development of a written crisis communications plan for the T and the TRE.

www.trinityrailwayexpress.org