
The DCTA — a transit agency just north of Dallas — is expanding its focus to provide “mobility” instead of delivering “public transportation.”
The DCTA — a transit agency just north of Dallas — is expanding its focus to provide “mobility” instead of delivering “public transportation.”
University of North Texas students will now have the option to park at MedPark Station and take the Colorado Express shuttle directly to the campus, or ride the A-train to the Downtown Denton Transit Center and board Denton Connect Routes directly to the campus, amongst other benefits for customers.
At the Denton County (Texas) Transportation Authority (DCTA), we’re constantly looking for unique ways to engage with passengers, generate brand awareness and increase ridership. This year with Valentine’s Day being on a Saturday, we saw a great opportunity to launch a campaign in which passengers could ride DCTA’s A-train commuter rail and Connect Bus for free on Valentine’s Day all day by saying “Be Mine” to the agency’s rail and bus operators. With low-trending ridership in February, we needed to find a way to increase ridership and brand awareness within Denton County and surrounding cities. Launching the Valentine’s Day promotion definitely would help us achieve this.
The agency is working with the City of Lewisville on its Long Range Planning for Vision 2025, which incorporates the DCTA Rail Trail that will help provide access to recreational opportunities and other municipally owned trails and provide a safe, affordable transportation alternative for local travel.
The agency is looking to increase A-train ridership by encouraging current and potential passengers to ride its commuter rail to avoid heavy traffic on I-35E for a hassle-free commute.
In total, the service has carried 1,006,397 passengers, as of last week, in less than 28 months of operation.
The full implementation of the A-train, improved bus connectivity, and the addition of midday and expanded service on Friday and Saturday nights contributed to the 17% increase in 2012.
The agency goes from inception to launching the 21-mile commuter rail system in approximately nine years. The project was built without the use of any federal funds.
Vehicle and equipment testing and crew qualifying are the first phase of operations in preparation for revenue service and began in April in the southern segment between Lewisville and Carrollton. System testing of the segment north of Lewisville Lake will begin in mid-May.
The A-train project, which is part of the Regional Transportation Council’s Mobility 2025 and Mobility 2030 plans, has been the central element of DCTA’s Service Plan and endorsed by local, regional and state leaders, as well as Denton County voters.