A train (Denton County Transportation Authority)

History

A formal Alternatives Analysis study conducted in 2004–2005, which included extensive community and citizen involvement, identified the proposed rail line as the best and most cost-effective mobility solution for Denton County and the region. It cited the impacts of projected population growth, growing safety, traffic congestion and air quality concerns, as well as the need to improve access to Denton County’s vital health care facilities and three major college and university campuses.

In May 2005, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the study’s recommendation to construct the rail alignment on east side of I-35E using an existing railroad corridor. The DCTA worked closely with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to meet the Federal and local regulatory requirements. In March 2008, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the Final Environmental Impact Determination that detailed the proposed measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of the rail project and the Regional Transportation Council approved funding of in August 2008. Federal funds were not used in the construction of the rail link.

On April 4, 2011, the DCTA began tests of railcars, communications systems and signals on track between Carrollton and Lewisville Lake, with tests on the remainder of the route projected to begin later in the month, though this date was later pushed back to mid-May.

The A-train was opened on June 20, 2011 with celebrations at five train stations.

Downtown Denton Transit Center

Located in downtown Denton, this station is bordered by Hickory and Sycamore streets (north to south) and Bell and Railroad avenues (west to east). The DCTA held a ground breaking ceremony at this station on March 22, 2010.

Medpark Station

Located in south Denton, serving the Denton Regional Medical Center and nearby medical offices, along with Golden Triangle Mall and shuttle service to North Central Texas College's Corinth campus. Land for this station was purchased from the Medical Center on December 16, 2008 for $3.2 million.

Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station

Located in north Lewisville near Garden Ridge Road, serving the Lewisville Lake and Highland Village area.

Old Town Station

Located near the Old Town district of Lewisville (its downtown area).

Hebron Station

Located in south Lewisville near Hebron Parkway; this station serves several apartment complexes and warehouses as well as Lewisville's main retail district including Vista Ridge Mall. Ground was broken on this station in a ceremony held March 27, 2009.

Trinity Mills Station

The Trinity Mills Station, part of the DART Green Line, is the southern terminus of the A-Train.

Ridership

Figures collected by the American Public Transportation Association show that 1,500 people rode the A-train on an average weekday in the third quarter of 2011. As of the fourth quarter of 2015, average weekday ridership has increased to approximately 1,900 riders per day, making the A-Train the twenty-fifth most-ridden commuter rail system in the country.

Rolling stock

DCTA placed an order for 11 Stadler GTW 2/6 DMUs in 2010. The first of the new trains were delivered in late 2011 for testing prior to their entry into service. The full order was fulfilled by August 2012 and in September 2012, the new units replaced the Budd DMUs leased from TRE.

Past Fleet

The A-Train began operations using 10 Budd RDCs leased from Trinity Railway Express, which were used until DCTA's own purpose built fleet was delivered.