First Transit has signed its first rail contract in North America to provide operations and maintenance services for the Denton County Transportation Authority’s (DCTA) A-train commuter rail line. First Transit and DCTA’s new contract agreement, which covers a period of nine years, with an additional five-year option, will go into effect October 1, 2016. The scope of work includes the operations, dispatch and maintenance for DCTA’s A-train commuter rail service.

The A-train is a 21-mile regional rail system connecting Denton and Dallas Counties. DCTA has five A-train stations; two in Denton and three in Lewisville. The A-train also connects with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) at their Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton where passengers can transfer to the DART Green Line and gain access to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. DCTA’s A-train carries more than 500,000 passengers per year.

“We have a great deal of rail expertise in the U.K., and look forward to bringing it to the citizens of Denton County,” said Brad Thomas, president of First Transit. “With our extensive rail operations, including passenger high-speed and commuter, and our strong relationship with DCTA, this is a natural fit.”

First Transit provides transit management services for operations of more than 70 vehicles for DCTA fixed-route and demand-response service; as well as call center management, dispatch, customer service, and staff for all bus operations.