FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – After a slight ‘derailment’ of its scheduled launch, the new TEXRrail service between downtown Fort Worth and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is back on track and service began this morning.

Some riders got up early and were lined up at the station in Fort Worth, ready to be among the first to ride the commuter line.

Daniel Simmon’s partner works at DFW Airport. “I just rode out with him for the first time. I’m just going back home to start my work day. I’m just taking the inaugural run,” he said. “We’re very excited because we live down by Sundance Square. We’re excited now we have an option where we can ride the train to downtown Grapevine, have dinner, and then come back home on a Saturday night, so that makes it a lot of fun.”

TEXRrail originally planned to launch the service January 5, but had to delay it due to a signal issue, in addition to the partial government shutdown.

Earlier this week, inspectors with the Federal Railroad Administration approved the entire 27-mile route for passenger service.

The $1 billion TEXRail project has been more than a decade in the making and will make nine stops along the route. Trains will operate almost non-stop, seven days a week — with the first train leaving Fort Worth at 3:30 a.m. the last on heading back from the airport at 1 a.m.

A CBS 11 News crew was onboard the train Thursday morning and talked with the line’s first rider. “I think it’s going to be good for the community, great for the airport, great for Fort Worth,’ said Steve Krum. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s well deserved.”

The line runs from downtown Fort Worth, across Tarrant County, through North Richland Hills and Grapevine, and into DFW Airport.

For some riders taking the train will be all about convenience, but Krum said there are other benefits too. “It’s an economical way to travel. It take pollutants out of the air and it’s a use of mass transit.”

TEXRail is the second train line to connect DFW Airport to North Texas counties. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Orange Line has been providing light rail service between the airport and Dallas since 2014.

Ticket prices are $2.50 per trip or $5 for an all-day pass, but TEXRail is offering free rides for everyone through January 31.