Trinity Metro’s Baulsir to retire at the end of October; Ballard named interim president and CEO

Bob Baulsir, who has served as president and CEO of Trinity Metro since April 2019, will retire on Oct. 31, 2021, citing ongoing health issues.

Baulsir joined Trinity Metro in November 2014 and is credited with being instrumental in constructing and launching TEXRail, the commuter rail line between Fort Worth, Texas, and DFW Airport’s Terminal B, which opened in January 2019 and plans to extend to the Fort Worth Medical District.

Several additional service offerings were delivered under Baulsir’s tenure including The Dash, a battery-electric bus route, on-demand ZIPZONE services in Mercantile, Southside and South Tarrant, as well A Better Connection, which was implemented in September to provide a new, more efficient bus network.

Baulsir succeeded Paul J. Ballard in 2019 and the Trinity Metro Board of Directors has named Ballard to return to the agency on an interim basis to lead until a permanent replacement can be found. The search is being conducted by executive search firm Krauthamer & Associates, LLC.

Trinity Metro points to several accomplishments ushered into reality during the five years Ballard led the agency, including its rebranding to Trinity Metro, the development of a transit master plan and implementation of new services, including TEXRail, Alliance ZIPZONE, bus service north of I-820 and the EASYRIDE commuter program. In addition, he developed a partnership with Tarrant County College (TCC) for Trinity Metro to provide service to all TCC locations and the college to pay the fares for student rides.

“We are really sorry to see Bob leave the agency, and we are so very grateful for everything he has done for Trinity Metro and public transportation in North Texas,” said Trinity Metro Board Chairman Jeff Davis. “While we search for a permanent replacement, we are delighted that Paul has agreed to step in and fill the void.”

Ballard is not only a familiar face within Trinity Metro but has previous experience steering a transit agency in transition. Ballard served as interim general manager and CEO for the Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colo., for six months in 2020.