April 2026

NCTCOG Announces Transportation Plan for FIFA World Cup

The North Central Texas Council of Governments and North Texas FWC Organizing Committee unveiled a multimodal plan the region will rely on to help move visitors to matches and other events when the World Cup comes to Dallas-Fort Worth this summer. Representatives from both organizations presented the plan to the media at a news conference held at NCTCOG's Arlington offices. From left, Natalie Bettger, NCTCOG Senior Program Manager, Michael Morris, P.E., NCTCOG Director of Transportation; Monica Paul, President, North Texas FWC Organizing Committee; and Karla Windsor, NCTCOG Senior Program Manager.

The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and the North Central Texas Council of Governments have unveiled the transportation plan responsible for moving fans and visitors in North Texas this summer during FIFA World Cup 2026™.

During an April 2 news conference at NCTCOG's offices, leaders highlighted key elements of the transportation plan, including how visitors attending the tournament can use the region’s multimodal transportation system to travel to Dallas Stadium in Arlington which will host a tournament-high nine matches this summer, FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas at Fair Park, the International Broadcast Center and other related sites and events across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“Major sporting events create unforgettable, lifelong memories for fans, and in North Texas, we are accustomed to welcoming some of the biggest events on the sports calendar,” said Monica Paul, President of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee. “Any major sporting event such as the FIFA World Cup requires months of collaboration with partners across multiple sectors, including transportation. We’re grateful to our federal, state, regional and local partners for their efforts in making this moment possible.”

 NCTCOG is leading the transportation planning, coordinating closely with transit agencies, airports, and municipalities.

“The FIFA World Cup represents something entirely new: the largest sporting event in the world coming to one of the fastest-growing regions in the country,” said Michael Morris, P.E., Director of Transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. “Embracing this historic opportunity required unprecedented collaboration across our cities, counties, state transportation department and transit agencies to deliver a transportation strategy worthy of a global stage.”

NCTCOG, the Cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Trinity Metro, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) are working together to ensure efficient, dependable travel options for spectators and event personnel. This includes new multimodal connections and special event transit services designed specifically for FIFA World Cup 2026™ operations.

For more on how people can efficiently get to the matches and other events during the tournament's run in North Texas, click here.

Topic of the Month

AN EYE ON: Traffic Safety

As North Texas continues to grow, so does the demand on its roadways. Every day, millions of residents rely on roads both big and small to stay connected across the region. With growth comes an important responsibility: ensuring our roads remain as safe as they are efficient.

Encouragingly, recent data shows that safety efforts and increased awareness are making a difference, with fatal crashes and fatalities declining significantly across the region in recent years. This momentum is promising but also underscores the importance of staying focused and building on that progress. Roadway safety remains a critical issue - one that calls for continued attention, thoughtful planning and collective action across the region.

For April’s Topic of the Month, we’re highlighting how these regional priorities are being put into practice through the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ (NCTCOG) ongoing efforts to reduce crashes, prevent injuries and ultimately save lives on our roadways.

Read more about our Topic of the Month here.

N. Texas Launched into Next-Gen Aviation

North Texas is cleared for takeoff into the future of aviation.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to participate in the agency’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a national initiative designed to accelerate the safe integration of advanced air mobility technologies, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, into the National Airspace System. These eVTOL aircraft use electric propulsion systems, which enable them to take off and land vertically.

North Texas will serve as a key hub for early demonstrations, thanks to its robust airport network, aerospace industry presence and history of transportation innovation. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) helped secure the inclusion of critical regional airports and operational concepts, ensuring local planning and infrastructure investments are aligned with the state-led program.

The regional network will span commercial and general aviation airports, heliports, and emerging vertiports across Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Frisco, McKinney, Denton, Addison, Mineral Wells, and new sites in DeSoto and Garland. Arlington Municipal Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport are already preparing for eVTOL operations, including charging infrastructure and vertiport development.

Early testing will involve multiple U.S.-based manufacturers, such as Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, Joby Aviation, and Wisk Aero, allowing North Texas to become a multi-operator, multi-aircraft testing ground for air taxis, cargo, passenger and emergency response missions.

Building on years of innovation, North Texas is leveraging prior advanced mobility initiatives, autonomous vehicle pilots and micro-weather networks to safely integrate eVTOL aircraft into the region’s existing transportation systems. The program is expected to accelerate aircraft certification, validate infrastructure standards and provide a model for nationwide advanced air mobility adoption.

Cleburne Expands Transit Service, Boosts Ridership in Johnson County

While Dallas-Fort Worth is home to large transit providers such as DART and Trinity Metro, residents outside of that area often face limited transportation options. In Johnson County, however, City/County Transportation is helping fill that gap for its residents.

City/County Transportation, known as CCT, provides demand-response service and is open to the public.

The City of Cleburne recently hired a new transportation general manager who is changing the area’s transportation game: Jon-Erik “AJ” Arjanen, Trinity Metro’s former vice president and chief operating officer for rail.

Year to date, City/County Transportation has increased ridership by a staggering 25%. The service helps residents get to doctor’s appointments, work, school and other destinations. CCT also recently announced a countywide start time of 6 a.m. Previously, the earlier start time was available only to residents of the City of Cleburne.

Officials say more improvements are planned for 2026 as the agency continues to expand its reach and services.  

Students Can Ride and Win on 2026 Bike & Roll to School Day 

Get on your bike and ride! On May 6, 2026, schools across the country will celebrate Bike & Roll to School Day by hosting events that encourage students to bicycle or use other “rolling” forms of nonmotorized transportation to and from school.

To help increase both student and school participation, NCTCOG is supporting school-led events by providing planning and promotional toolkits, along with the chance to be recognized with rewards.  

Registered schools may enter two drawings: 

• Bicycle and Helmet Drawing: Students at registered schools may enter a drawing for a new kids’ bicycle with a helmet. (Students and parents/guardians must sign and submit NCTCOG’s Promise to Street Safety pledge).
• Bike Month Celebration Drawing: Registered schools that hold a Bike Bus event may also enter a drawing for a Bike Month school celebration sponsored by NCTCOG. Bike Buses offer a great opportunity for teachers, parents and students to increase bicycle safety by riding together as a group.  

Sign up for NCTCOG’s Bike & Roll to School Day promotion by April 10 for the opportunity to win. Contact Kyle Hoener for more information. Schools can access Bike & Roll to School Day toolkits here.

Bike & Roll to School Day is a nationwide celebration that encourages students, families, and school communities to choose active ways of getting to school - from biking and walking to scootering and skating - instead of traveling by car. The event promotes physical health, reduces traffic congestion and pollution around schools and teaches children about road safety and independence.

NCTCOG will also promote Walk & Roll to School Day on October 7, 2026. Stay tuned for updates and more information at Walk Bike & Roll to School Day.

NCTCOG to Provide Update on World Cup Mobility, Safety Initiatives April 13 

NCTCOG will provide updates on the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026™ mobility plan, as well as other transportation and safety initiatives, during a hybrid public meeting at noon on Monday, April 13.

The meeting will be held in the Transportation Council Room at the NCTCOG offices, located at 616 Six Flags Drive in Arlington. Those unable to attend in person can view the meeting online at PublicInput.com/nctcogApril26. Residents can also participate by calling 855-925-2801 and entering code 3014. Public comments will be accepted until May 12.

Local Motion is a monthly email newsletter from the North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department. For more information about topics, contact Brian Wilson at 817-704-2511 or bwilson@nctcog.org. Visit www.nctcog.org/trans for more information on the department.

--Imagery provided by the City of Cleburne, NTFWCOC, NCTCOG and Getty Images.