Transportation news

New transportation for people with disabilities comes to Dallas-Fort Worth

Tootl van

Photo courtesy of Tootl

A new transportation option servicing seniors and people with disabilities has debuted in Arlington. Called Tootl Transport, it's a non-emergency medical transportation company founded in Chicago that's now available in Arlington (a city known for its lack of transportation options), as well as Denton, Johnson, Dallas, and Ellis counties.

According to a release, Tootl provides wheelchair-accessible transportation for people with mobility and cognitive disabilities, using special vehicles with drivers who are trained to handle mobility devices and interact with special needs individuals, including those with dementia.

The company was founded in 2012 and began franchising in 2021. It now operates in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Bringing the concept to Arlington are local franchisees Kelsey and Jeff Lindsey. Kelsey has 10 years of experience working in physical therapy, and Jeff has worked in teaching and coaching for 17 years.

“We opened Tootl in Arlington to alleviate any stress so that you, your loved one, or your client can safely 'Tootl' home from the hospital, attend doctor appointments, rehabilitation sessions, school, family gatherings, and more,” Kelsey says.

According to the release, they “move at a comfortable pace,” which seems to indicate that they don’t drive like the lunatics the DFW area is known for.

“Oftentimes, it is family members or friends who have to step in to arrange rides for those in their circle struggling with mobility or cognitive difficulties,” Kelsey says. “Their primary concern is the assurance of safety, the comfort in knowing that their loved ones will be securely transported to essential medical visits or other various occasions.”

One-way trips are $69, plus $4 per mile. For service on weekends, there’s an extra $30 charge. If passengers aren’t on time for their ride, they’re charged a wait fee of $48 per hour.

Passengers can bring up to three companions on their ride, but only one aide is included in the ride cost. Additional passengers cost $6 each way. Tootl rides are available daily around the clock.

Fun in the Fort

Fort Worth wrangles spot on new list of most fun cities in U.S.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Stock Show

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Fort Worth knows how to have a good time. So says a WalletHub's new report on the most fun cities in America in 2024, which ranked Fort Worth No. 55 out of 182 U.S. cities.

WalletHub's experts compared each city using 65 metrics to determine their level of "fun." Metrics were split among three main categories: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.

According to the study's findings, Fort Worth was 35th nationally in the category for nightlife and parties, but ranked No. 81 in the "entertainment and recreation" category. But many Fort Worth locals know the city is full of entertainment opportunities, family-friendly activities (especially during the holidays), top dining destinations, and more. Plus, it's home to the annual Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo - which locals affectionately call "rodeo season."

Fort Worth performed poorly in the overall cost category, earning No. 74 nationwide. However, this category mostly compares flat costs rather than affordability based on local cost of living.

Potential new Fort Worth residents should do their research before deciding to move here, rather than basing their decision on short trips and vacations alone.

"The top cities offer affordable options for year-round fun for their residents, which is good for residents’ wallets and their mental health," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in the report.

Austin (No. 6) and Houston (No. 9) were the only Texas cities to earn a spot in the top 10 most fun U.S. cities list. Austin moved up one spot from last year, while Houston made a 10-place jump.

Fort Worth's next-door neighbor Arlington, home to one of the area's hidden-gem art museums, came in at No. 79 on the list.

Other fun-filled Texas cities that made it in the top 100 are Dallas, (No. 31), El Paso (No. 53), Plano (No. 78), Arlington (No. 79), and Corpus Christi (No. 99).

The top 10 most fun U.S. cities are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 2 – Orlando, Florida
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 9 – Houston, Texas
No. 10 – New York City, New York

Cities were evaluated based on the number of attractions per capita, nightlife activities per capita, the average prices for eating at a restaurant or buying a movie ticket, and more. Data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, and the Council for Community and Economic Research, among others.

dance clubs fun cities nightlife parties recreation wallethub rodeo