La Linea Rosa will permanently rebrand Bus Route 1 with a rosey pink look to honor Hispanic culture., Three buses featuring artistic designs from a Texas artist have hit the road as the transit authority highlights the culture, businesses and neighborhoods along the Hemphill Street corridor.
“Launching La Linea Rosa during Hispanic Heritage Month was intentional and meaningful, but the line and its identity are here to stay,” said Ted Zimmerman, vice president of marketing and communications for Trinity Metro.
The route runs between Fort Worth Central Station and La Gran Plaza – Fort Worth’s second-most-visited destination, said Zimmerman. More than half the population that lives within a quarter-mile of the corridor is Hispanic.
Trinity Metro spoke with community leaders along the corridor when planning and designing the concepts for the buses.
“The process allowed community perspectives to help shape the project while giving the artists the creative freedom to interpret those ideas through their work,” said Zimmerman.
The interior and exterior of the vibrant pink buses feature designs inspired by neighborhoods such as Near Southside, La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth and Hemphill Street.
The three buses represent imagery of Hispanic heritage such as lowrider culture and street art, blending both traditional and contemporary styles, said Zimmerman. The exterior designs were created by Texas artist Merri Ellen Kase, who also helped design Trinity Metro’s Orange Line.
La Linea Rosa is the third installation in Trinity Metro’s color-coded buses project, which is intended to simplify transit while celebrating distinct Fort Worth neighborhoods. The Orange Line pays homage to the Fort Worth Stockyards by featuring distinctive cow-print seats and western designs. The Blue Line serves as downtown Fort Worth’s free circulator, with a sleek and urban look to each bus. The different colored routes were chosen based on key destinations and high ridership, with La Linea Rosa having the third-highest.
La Linea Rosa debuted Sept. 16. The fare, route and schedule will remain unchanged. However, the boarding location for the buses will change from Fort Worth Station to bus bay A.