December 17, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

The man who took North Texas transportation planning into the 21st century, and as some would say beyond, announced that he is stepping down from the position at the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

It was announced at the December meeting of the Regional Transportation Council that Michael Morris will transition from the role of Transportation Director at NCTCOG to an advisory role while the search for his successor is underway.

Morris joined the agency in 1979 as a staff member and become Transportation Director in 1990, serving in the post for the past 35 years.

At the Regional Transportation Council meeting Morris said “I’m going to transition away from director and I am here until a new director arrives." Noting that his departure as chief transportation planner comes as preparations for the 2026 World Cup are underway, Morris said "I’m here as an insurance policy," and will continue work on plans that will move tens or thousands of visitors by public transportation. He asked the Council to fund a professional services agreement for a three year period to ensure a smooth transition. 

"It will be hard to find a person of high caliber to fill Michael's shoes", according to Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody. "He was able to apply for and squeeze every nickle possible out of billions of dollars of federal and state grants for rail, road and air projects to benefit the North Texas economy. We wouldn't have the transportation system we have today if it wasn't for Michael's leadership and foresight."

Most recently, Morris was responsible for funding through NCTCOG to keep the Heartland Flyer running between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City when the Texas Senate Finance Committee axed Texas' $3.5 million yearly partnership with the state of Oklahoma. This year the Amtrak-run service carried over 80,000 passengers.

The rail map in 1979 looked bleak for North Texas when Morris first came aboard NCTCOG. There was no DART Rail, no Trinity Railway Express, no TEXRail, no "A" train, no thought of high-speed rail.

Working with transit agencies, cities and counties, state and federal counterparts, Morris developed plans that helped interconnect Dallas and Fort Worth with future plans for the Texas triangle and beyond, way ahead of any thought that the Texas Department of Transportation had for rail planning.

NCTCOG's search for his replacement will include current staff members. “I will stay until replaced, and the RTC will be involved in the selection process,” Morris said.

At the RTC meeting, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said of Morris "“I can’t tell you how appreciative we are of your decades and decades and I hate to make you sound really old. You sometimes tell us stuff that we love hearing, and sometimes tell us stuff that I don’t want to hear at all. But you’re candid, you’re honest, and I appreciate everything you’ve done.

Photo credit: Fort Worth Report