summer a-train magazine 2014

AUGUST 2014

Your Future Is Riding On Us

Looking for something different to do?

Take the A-Train to the Trinity Mills Station, then catch the DART Green Line to the Downtown Carrollton Station. Spend the day shopping and dining in Carrollton boutiques and specialty restaurants. Find anything from treasured antiques and designer labels, to spa gift certificates and unique accessories—all just a train ride away!

Keep up with the latest news and activities at cityofcarrollton.com OR Follow us on

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A-train 5

Denton County Transportation Authority

INSIDEA PUBLICATION OF THE DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE

CREDITS

President’s messageThank you for making our future bright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6Regional railPublic transportation key to growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7Game dayDCTA is the ticket to UNT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10Construction woesEnjoy an easier commute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 12-13Picturesque trailFun for bicyclists & pedestrians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 17Rail educationProgram promotes safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 18-19Improved travelBus system expanded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 20-21Fun for allUpcoming festivals in Denton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 22-23

EEddiittoorr:: Scott K. ParksAAddvveerrttiissiinnggDDiirreeccttoorr:: Sandra HammondRReettaaiill AAddvveerrttiissiinnggMMaannaaggeerr:: Shawn ReneauWWrriitteerrss//pphhoottooggrraapphheerrss//ddeessiiggnneerrss:: Tim Blackwell, JimCline, Steve Gamel, Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Al Key,Kaycee Key, Jason Lee, Bj Lewis, David Minton, KimPhillips

A-train6


Thank you for making our future brightBy Jim ClinePresident of Denton CountyTransportation Authority

It’s been awhile sinceI’ve written an articlefor the A-trainmaga-

zine. A lot has been hap-pening with DCTA, inwhich you will find inthis latest issue.We have experienced

great success in the pastmonths. DCTA ridershipcontinues to increasewith nearly two millionpassenger trips on ourbus and rail systemalready this year.Specifically, A-train rid-ership has experiencedsignificant growth asmore people continue tochoose DCTA for alter-native transportationduring the constructionon I-35E.In addition to A-train

growth, we have expand-ed our Connect bus serv-

ice in Lewisville. Due toincreased ridership,DCTA purchased fivenew buses to operate onLewisville Connect. Thenew buses contain 20seats – four more seatsthan previous buses.Also, we have created a“Park and Ride” at theMedPark Station for theUNT Shuttle ColoradoExpress, and passengerscan take this route to theUniversity of NorthTexas campus with notransfers.This new service will

begin in conjunctionwith the upcomingAugust service changes.In March, we distrib-

uted our 2014Community Survey togather feedback frompassengers, non-passen-gers and communitymembers regarding cur-rent service performance

and to identify addition-al ways to provideimproved transit servic-es, customer service andpassenger information.DCTA received morethan900 responses fromthe community, andbelow are some key sur-vey highlights:■ More than 93 per-

cent of survey respon-dents rated DCTA asgood or excellent inregards to safety.■ More than 92 per-

cent rated DCTA staff asgood or excellent.■ 80 percent of survey

respondents would rec-ommend DCTA tofriends or family mem-bers.In the community sur-

vey, many respondentssuggested the need forreal-time passengerinformation.This fall, DCTA will

launch “Where’s MyRide” – a vehicle track-ing tool that providesreal-time travel informa-tion to passengers,allowing them to obtainpredictive arrival infor-mation for a Connectbus or A-train at a par-ticular stop location viaphone, online andmobile devices. This newtool will also provideDCTA with internal datathat will help us betterschedule routes andtimes for our servicesthat will benefit passen-gers.

I want to thank all ofourwonderful partners –from our member cities,local universities andorganizations – whobelieve in DCTA and ourmission to provide safe,customer focused, andefficient mobility solu-tions for Denton County.Also, Iwant to give a spe-cial shout out to our staffmembers and crew whocontinuously work hardto provide great experi-ences and customerservice for our passen-gers. And thank you toour passengers whochoose to ride DCTA!We appreciate your con-tinued support of ourservices.Our future outlook is

bright because of thesupport we receive fromall of you.Thanks for joining us

on this ride!

A-train 7

In 2011, the Denton CountyTransportation Authorityopened the A-train, provid-

ing regional rail connectivitybetween one of the fastestgrowing counties in NorthTexas and Dallas.Along with the upcoming

completion of DART’s OrangeLine extension to Dallas/FortWorth International Airportand proposed projects to con-nect Fort Worth and NorthDallas via the TEX Rail/CottonBelt Corridor, these projectsmark the start of a new boom inincreased regional rail connec-tivity.And thanks to our region’s

tremendous populationgrowth, this expansion in railprojects is coming not amoment too soon.North Texas is proud to be

the fastest-growing large regionin the U.S., adding a new per-son every fourminutes. Anyonewho lives here knows why weare seeing the increase in mov-

ing vans and out-of-statelicense plates—our low cost ofliving; stable, diverse economy;and easy access to both coastsand key international marketsthrough DFW InternationalAirport.But there is one thing that

these newest North Texanswon’t be bringing in their mov-ing boxes: extra roads andhighways. If the real estate andeconomic development mantrais “location, location, location,”perhaps in our 9,000-square-mile region we should followthat up with one of our own:“transportation, transportation,transportation.” And right now,our region is facing some signif-icant transportation-relatedchallenges.According to the North

Central Texas Council ofGovernments’ 2035 MobilityPlan, the time North Texansspend in their vehicles each daywill increase by 114 percent,with an increased travel time of

40 percent. That extra timespent in traffic will equate tomore than $10 billion in eco-nomic losses, more than dou-bling the current $4.7 billioncost of congestion today.Highway projects underway

today will help alleviate trafficsnarls for years to come, butchanging trends in car owner-ship and usage demonstrate theneed for new mobility optionsbeyond more concrete. Recentstudies have found that theimportance of car ownership isless important to Millennialsthan previous generations. In2011, only 79 percent of 20- to24-year-olds had a driver’slicense, down from 92 percentin 1983. Indeed,Millennials arethe only demographic group tovalue their computer or mobilephonemore than their automo-bile. Furthermore, research bythe University of MichiganTransportation ResearchInstitute (UMTRI) finds thatacross all demographic groups

car ownership and vehiclemilestravelled have been decliningsince the mid-2000s.To meet the needs of its

growing population, NorthTexas needs to develop adynamic transportation ecosys-tem, characterized by a diversi-ty of mobility options rangingfrom automobiles to light rail tobicycling. The continued devel-opment of our region’s rail con-nectivity will both help reducestress on our road networkwhile also meeting the chang-ing mobility preferences of anew generation of NorthTexans.The transportation network

of tomorrow will be able tomove people and goodsthroughout the region quicklyand efficiently using a variety ofmodes.Regional rail will be a key

component of that network byincreasing mobility withoutincreasing automobile conges-tion. All aboard!


Public transportation key to North Texas’ growth

A-train8

A-train 9

A-train10


A-Train is the ticket to Mean Green game dayBy Kim PhillipsFor the Denton Record-Chronicle

The University of NorthTexas is the 25th largestpublic university in the

country. Denton has more than36,000 students, 5,000 facultyand staff, plus some 130,000alumni in the immediate DFWregion.Famous, shining new Apogee

Stadium is home field to CoachDan McCarney’s stellar footballteam, the Mean Green. Home-game attendance averages21,000 since Apogee Stadiumopened. But where is the rest ofthis multitude on game days?Introducing Mean Green

GameDay. The Denton CountyTransportation Authority

(DCTA)A-train is teaming up with

UNT Athletics and the DentonConvention & Visitors Bureau(DCVB) to create a game-dayexperience that will engagelocals, students and alums likenever before.DCTA and UNT hope to put

cheeks in seats and heads inbeds all over Denton in thesame way it works during homegames in other university desti-nations like Austin, Lubbock,College Station, and Waco.DCTA is connecting downtownDenton, the Mean GreenTailgating Village and ApogeeStadium with complimentarytransportation for a completeoriginal and independent game

day in Denton experience.Among Dentonites, parking

is perceived as a potential haz-ard. Not so anymore on gamedays. The Mean Green GameDay plan removes the parkingdilemma completely, even forlocals. Vast parking options areavailable up and down the A-train route, and parking is anon-issue from points southusing the DART green line toconnect to the A-train. Fanswill board the train, arrive at theEuline Brock DowntownDenton Transit Center andenjoy free DCTA shuttles thatmake two stops in downtownon the way to and from theUNT pedestrian bridge, no carnecessary.

Businesses throughout down-town Denton are clamoring tobecome 2014 Game DayChampions, partners in one ofthe most aggressive campaignsin Denton’s history. DCTA,UNT and the DCVB areanchoring the campaign that isrunning this summer through-out the Mean Green’s 2014 sea-son. Ultimately, Mean GreenGame Day will become a seriesof must-attend major events inDenton during football seasonyear after year.The A-train is the ticket to

Mean Green Game Days madeeasier and packed with morefun than ever before. What areyouwaiting for? Get your greenon!

A-train 11


DCTA campus shuttles provide a great transportation alternativeBy Tim BlackwellFor the Denton Record-Chronicle

Denton County residentsdon’t have to pretendthat they are students to

take advantage of one bus routethat connects Highland Villageand Lewisville to the DCTA A-train.The North Central Texas

College (NCTC) Shuttle isintended to move college stu-dents, faculty and staff fromLewisville and Denton to thecampus, but anyone can ride.DCTA has a contract with the

school to provide shuttle servicebetween the Corinth andFlower Mound campuses,Lewisville and the DentonMedPark Station. That servicewill resume in August as stu-dents flock to area universitiesfor the fall semester.NCTC Shuttle is running

buses destined for NCTC cam-puses that will travel along adesirable route to several areaattractions and medical centers.For the last few years, the bushas provided nearby access tothe Flower Mound PerformingArts Center, Denton RegionalMedical Center, AtriumMedical Center of Corinth andCivic Circle in Lewisville.The public can hop aboard

and avoid the glut of cars alongthe route. The only difference is

instead of riding with an NCTCI.D., non-NCTC riders wouldpay a cash fare upon boarding.Kristina Brevard, DCTA Vice

President of Marketing &Communications, says area res-idents have a great opportunityto relax and enjoy the ride.“Many are unaware that our

college shuttle routes to NCTCand UNT are open to the pub-lic,” she said. “Everybody is wel-come. It’s a worthwhile alterna-tive to traffic and parking has-

sles.”To improve frequency and

encourage more riders, DCTAadded another bus to the route.Also, the NCTC Shuttle pro-

vides connectivity to not onlythe A-train but also to other busroutes that traverse Denton andLewisville.In Denton, NCTC Shuttle

passengers may transfer to theA-train at MedPark Station, aswell as from DCTA Connect viaRoute 2 and UNT ShuttleColorado Express. In Lewisville,passengers may transfer to andfrom any DCTA Connect routeand Connect RSVP at Summitand Civic Circle.During the academic year, the

NCTC Shuttle operatesMondaythrough Friday, with exceptionof holidays. Depending on thediscretion of NCTC, the Shuttlemay operate during mini-mesters in the winter and

spring.For the general public, the

cost is $3 for adults or $1.50 forelderly, disabled or Medicarecardholders and students (ages5-18, students over the age of 14require valid high school orDCTA issued ID). Valid DCTALocal System and Regional fareoptions are accepted, includingDART, The T and TRERegional Passes. NCTC stu-dents, faculty and staff with avalid NCTC ID ride the NCTCShuttle and Connect bus servicefor no additional fare.In addition to the NCTC

Shuttle, DCTA also services theUNT campus with the UNTShuttle. This system is com-prised of 9 routes and is open tothe general publicwith acceptedfare upon boarding.Visit www.RideDCTA.net for

more information about DCTA’scampus shuttles.

A-train12


A-Train offers easy commute during road constructionBy Bj LewisStaff Writer

Have you looked aroundan A-train car recently?Noticed more seats fill-

ing Denton CountyTransportation Authoritybuses? You probably have andthere is good reason for it -Denton County TransportationAuthority ridership keepsclimbing. There will be evenmore to follow as the agencyawaits that major Interstate35E-related spike in the num-bers.Officials said they hope and

expect those upward trends tocontinue, even as they plan topromote and advertise to bringinmore passengers as the I-35Eexpansion project continues.

“We are seeing solid growthand that’s real positive, [but] interms of a huge jump some-where, I think that will be afunction of how the traffic ismanaged,” DCTA President JimCline said in a recent interview“We’re watching for things likewhen FM407 goes under con-struction and when the majorelements come in and startaffecting people.”According to the most recent

numbers, DCTA carried140,676 passengers systemwide— rail and bus— inMay. TheA-train carried 44,244 passengersduring the month, an overallincrease in ridership of 15.8 per-cent from May 2013. DCTA’sbus system carried 96,432 pas-sengers in May.

The agency has carried nearly2 million people on both busand rail combined this year.“It’s summer time. There is

less traffic on the road,” saidKristina Brevard, vice presidentof communications and mar-keting for DCTA. “Once we

move into the fall, that’s when itwill be really interesting to seewhere ridership goes: Schoolsget back in session, people getback from vacation and to theirregular lives.”

See CONSTRUCTION on Page 13

A-train 13


Brevard noted that theagency’s August servicechanges, while not major, willimprove some connections andwill likely yield further ridershipincreases.Bus ridership is up, which

shows staff that passengers areusing both modes in their trav-els, she said.“We had a pretty significant

increase in Lewisville, and thispast year had to purchase alarge bus because of capacity,”Brevard said.Meanwhile, on Interstate

35E, work continues onmassivetoll lanes running alongsideInterstate 35E in northwestDallas.While those toll lanes are set

to open soon, not all the connec-tors designed to feed the tolllanes have been added to thehighway.Until more roadwork is com-

pleted, the new bridges will onlyoffer short, tolled connectionsbetween the existing free lanesof I-35E and I-635.In Denton County, construc-

tion continues on the 35Expressproject and the expansion of theinterstate that will tie into theDallas project.“We work very closely with

LBJExpress on the south end ofthe project,” said KimberlySims, spokeswoman for35Express. “There are times

when we need to coordinatework and closures to be as effi-cient as possible and lessenimpacts on the traveling public.”Sims said the 35Express pro-

ject’s managed-lane system willtie into I-635’s managed-lanesystem near the intersection ofboth roadways. The 35Expressmanaged-lane system willstretch from theTurbeville/Swisher Road areain Hickory Creek south to I-635.

Also, the system is reversible.The lanes will flow southboundin themorning and northboundin the evening, and there will be11 access points along withshoulders and perches for lawenforcement officials.“Traffic in the managed-lane

system is expected to flow at 50mph and toll fees will be vari-able, depending on the amountof congestion in the lanes,” Simssaid.Even as all this work goes on,

Cline said DCTA will continueto make sure people are awareof the agency as an optionbefore, during and after all theconstruction.

“We’re going to be aiming tosee growth opportunities whenthey present themselves (and)and will look at what makes themost sense going forward. I-35or not, we will keep working onbuilding ridership.”

A-TRAIN SCHEDULEInformaciòn sobre A-train

Effective August 26, 2014Please note: schedule subject to change.

Check website for latest schedule information.

A-TRAIN SYSTEM MAPInformaciòn sobre A-train

35W377 35E

380Denton

HigHlanDVillage

lewisVille

ToDowntown

Dallas

N

121

720

1171

407

2181

Mayhill

McKinney

Round Grove Rd.

Hebron

Justin Rd.

Swisher

1

2

3

4

5

6

College

121

Denton CoUntYDALLAS CoUntY

RideDCTA.net

Potential Ad space 10.25” x 1.5”

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For information on DCTA services, trip planning assistance or disability services, please call 940-243-0077 Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

604 East Hickory St., Denton

Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC) - Served by all Denton Connect Routes

City Hall

Oak St.

Hickory St.

Sycamore St.

Prairie St.

Bell

Ave

.

Mulberry St.

Indu

stria

l

1

617 East Main St., Lewisville

Old Town Station - Served by Connect Route 23

Main St.

Church St.

College St.

Legacy Dr.

Walters St.4

FM 1171

3220 MedPark Drive, Denton

MedPark Station - Served by Connect Route 2

Quail Creek

Colorado Blvd.

Medpark Dr.

H

H

2

Denton RegionalMedical Center

North TexasHospital

35E

952 Lakeside Circle, Lewisville

Hebron Station - Served by Connect Route 21

Hebron Pkwy.

Lakeside Cir.5

2525 Blanton Drive, Carrollton

TriniTy MillS STaTiOn - Served by A-train & DART Green Line

Broadway St.

MacArthur Dr.

Trinity Mills Rd.

Mayes Rd.

Blanton635E

190

161

2998 N. Stemmons Frwy., Lewisville

HigHlanD Village/lewiSVille lake STaTiOn - Served by Connect RSVP

Bogard Ln.

Pinehurst

Eagle Pt.

Garden Ridge Blvd.

35E

3

Northbound to Denton Norte a Denton Saturday sábado

READDOWN

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STATIONestaciones

Green Line ArrivesTrinity MillsHebronOld TownHV/LLMedParkDDTC

5370 5972 5974 5976 5978 5980 5982 5984 5986 AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM

– 9:14 11:04 1:24 3:04 5:24 7:04 9:04 11:04

– 9:17 11:06 1:30 3:06 5:26 7:06 9:06 11:06

– 9:22 11:11 1:35 3:11 5:31 7:11 9:11 11:11

7:40 9:27 11:16 1:40 3:16 5:36 7:16 9:16 11:16

7:46 9:33 11:22 1:46 3:22 5:42 7:22 9:22 11:22

7:57 9:44 11:33 1:57 3:33 5:53 7:33 9:33 11:33

8:02 9:49 11:38 2:02 3:38 5:58 7:38 9:38 11:38

Southbound to Carrollton Sur a Carrolton

Monday - Friday lunes - viernes

READDOWN

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5901 5903 5905 5907 5909 5911 5913 5915 5917 5919 5321 5925 5927 5931 5933 5935 5937 5939 5941 5943 5945 5947 5949 5951 5953 5955 5957 5359 5961 5963AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

5:09 5:31 5:53 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 7:43 8:04 8:48 9:10 10:31 11:55 1:23 2:20 3:07 3:51 4:11 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:22 6:43 7:07 7:50 8:30 9:20 11:15

5:14 5:36 5:58 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 7:48 8:09 8:53 9:15 10:36 12:00 1:28 2:25 3:12 3:56 4:16 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:27 6:48 7:12 7:55 8:35 9:25 11:20

5:25 5:47 6:09 6:31 6:53 7:15 7:37 7:59 8:20 9:04 9:26 10:47 12:11 1:39 2:36 3:23 4:07 4:27 4:49 5:11 5:33 5:55 6:17 6:38 6:59 7:23 8:06 8:46 9:36 11:31

5:31 5:53 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 7:43 8:05 8:26 9:10 9:32 10:53 12:17 1:45 2:42 3:29 4:13 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:23 6:44 7:05 7:29 8:12 8:52 9:42 11:37

5:36 5:58 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 7:48 8:10 8:31 9:15 — 10:58 12:22 1:50 2:47 3:34 4:18 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:28 6:49 7:10 7:34 8:17 — 9:47 11:42

5:41 6:03 6:25 6:47 7:09 7:31 7:53 8:15 8:36 9:20 — 11:03 12:27 1:55 2:52 3:39 4:23 4:43 5:05 5:27 5:49 6:11 6:33 6:54 7:15 7:39 8:22 — 9:52 11:47

5:43 6:13 6:28 6:58 7:14 7:43 7:58 8:30 8:50 9:30 — 11:10 12:30 2:10 3:11 3:41 4:26 4:56 5:11 5:48 6:10 6:13 6:50 7:10 7:30 7:50 8:30 — 9:57 11:59

STATIONestaciones

DDTCMedPark DentonHV/LLOld TownHebronTrinity MillsGreen Line Departs

Friday NightViernes par la noche

Northbound to Denton Norte a Denton

Monday - Friday lunes - viernes

— — — — 5:40 5:55 6:18 6:43 7:18 7:48 8:18 9:03 10:24 11:44 1:04 2:04 — 3:24 3:44 4:04 4:24 4:44 5:12 5:29 5:59 6:14 6:29 7:24 8:04 10:24

— — — — 5:53 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 8:04 8:26 9:10 10:31 11:55 1:23 2:20 — 3:29 3:51 4:11 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:23 6:45 7:29 8:10 10:30

— — — — 5:58 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 8:09 8:31 9:15 10:36 12:00 1:28 2:25 — 3:34 3:56 4:16 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:28 6:50 7:34 8:15 10:35

4:32 4:57 5:19 5:41 6:03 6:25 6:47 7:09 7:31 8:14 8:36 9:20 10:41 12:05 1:33 2:30 2:57 3:39 4:01 4:21 4:43 5:05 5:27 5:49 6:11 6:33 6:55 7:39 8:20 10:40

4:38 5:03 5:25 5:47 6:09 6:31 6:53 7:15 7:37 8:20 8:42 9:26 10:47 12:11 1:39 2:36 3:03 3:45 4:07 4:27 4:49 5:11 5:33 5:55 6:17 6:39 7:01 7:45 8:26 10:46

4:49 5:14 5:36 5:58 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 7:48 8:31 8:53 9:37 10:58 12:22 1:50 2:47 3:14 3:56 4:18 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:28 6:50 7:12 7:56 8:37 10:57

4:54 5:19 5:41 6:03 6:25 6:47 7:09 7:31 7:53 8:36 8:58 9:42 11:03 12:27 1:55 2:52 3:19 4:01 4:23 4:43 5:05 5:27 5:49 6:11 6:33 6:55 7:17 8:01 8:42 11:02

READDOWN

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5302 5304 5306 5308 5910 5912 5914 5916 5918 5920 5922 5924 5928 5930 5934 5936 5338 5940 5942 5944 5946 5948 5950 5952 5954 5956 5958 5960 5962 5964 AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM

STATIONestaciones

Green Line ArrivesTrinity MillsHebronOld TownHV/LLMedParkDDTC

Friday NightV i e r n e s p a r l a n o c h e

Southbound to Carrollton Sur a Carrolton Saturday sábado

READDOWN

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STATIONestaciones

DDTCMedPark DentonHV/LLOld TownHebronTrinity MillsGreen Line Departs

5971 5973 5975 5977 5979 5981 5983 5985 5987 AM AM PM PM PM PM PM PM PM/AM

8:15 10:15 12:15 2:15 3:55 6:16 7:52 10:20 11:53

8:20 10:20 12:20 2:20 4:00 6:21 7:57 10:25 11:58

8:31 10:31 12:31 2:31 4:11 6:32 8:08 10:36 12:09

8:37 10:37 12:37 2:37 4:17 6:38 8:14 10:42 12:15

8:42 10:42 12:42 2:42 4:22 6:43 8:19 10:47 12:20

8:47 10:47 12:47 2:47 4:27 6:48 8:24 10:52 12:25

8:50 10:50 12:50 2:50 4:30 6:57 8:27 10:57 12:26

A-train16

* Reduced = Seniors (65+),disabled,Medicarecardholdersand students (Ages 5-18,students over the age of 14require a valid high school orDCTA issued ID).

** Students attending collegeswithphysicalcampuseswithinDenton County are eligible toparticipate in the UniversityPass Program. Proof ofenrollment is required.

*** Faculty and staff workingat colleges with physicalcampuses within DentonCounty are eligible toparticipate in the UniversityPass Program. Proof ofemployment is required.

† Passes purchased in a ten packmust be validated by a DCTAbusoperatororpassengerscanself-validate thepassbyusingahole punch tomark themonthand day.

Free Fares

or with visible badge

paying adult

ShuttleandConnect inlieuoffare

Effective 8/25/14

Fare TypeLocal System Regional System

ReducedRate

FareRate

ReducedRate

FareRate

2-Hour Pass $1.25* $3.00 $1.25* $5.00Day Pass $2.50* $6.00 $2.50* $10.007-Day Pass - $25.00 - $50.0010-Pack of Day Pass† - $40.00 - $70.00Monthly/31-Day Pass $40.00* $90.00 $40.00* $160.00Annual Pass $480.00* $650.00 $480.00* $1,600.00Summer Youth Pass - $30.00 - -

Fare Type ReducedRate

FareRate

One-Way Trip $0.75* $1.50Ten Ride Book - $13.00Monthly/31-Day Pass $25.00* $45.00

Annual Pass - $450.00

Fare Type ReducedRate

FareRate

One-Way Trip $1.50* $3.00

Demand Response Access

Fare Type FareRate

One-Way Trip $3.00

Ten Ride Book $30.00

Transfer Buy-upFare Type Fare

RateConnect to LocalSystem 2-Hour Pass $1.50

Connect to RegionalSystem 2-Hour Pass $3.50

DCTA Local System2-Hour Pass to RegionalSystem 2-Hour Pass

$2.00

University & College Fares

Student

Full Semester Pass $125.00** $175.00**

Summer Semester Pass $80.00** $150.00**

Annual Pass $300.00** $400.00**

Faculty/Staff

Full Semester Pass $170.00*** $340.00***

Annual Pass $420.00*** $840.00***

Regional System Required for trips

taken outside of DCTA service area

RideDCTA.net

Local System Regional System

On Board DCTA BusesAt the Eulene Brock Downtown Denton Transit Center

At Ticket Vending Machines at DCTA Rail Stations

Passes are also sold at RideDCTA.net and at DCTA ticket outlets in Denton, Lewisville and Highland Village.

Pass Sales Locations:

Local SystemValid on

A-train 17


Onward Ho! on the Rail TrailBy Tim BlackwellFor the Denton Record-Chronicle

DCTA and the TexasDepartment ofT r a n s p o r t a t i o n

(TxDOT) are making progressto complete the remaining 13miles of the winding, pictur-esque Rail Trail, a planned bikeand pedestrian trail that willparallel the entire length of theA-train.Two sections - Swisher Road

south to Kelton in HickoryCreek and the HighlandVillage/Lewisville Lake Stationsouth to Hebron Station – haveyet to be completed.The Texas Department of

Transportation (TxDOT) is

funding the Swisher Road-Kelton project, while DCTA ispaying for the other.In the spring, DCTA submit-

ted two grant applications tohelp cover a shortage of fundingfor the $6 million to $8 millionprice tag to construct the railtrail portion from HighlandVillage to Old Town Station andsouth to Hebron Station.In April, a request was sub-

mitted for the TransportationInvestment GeneratingEconomic Recovery program,more widely known as TIGERgrants, in partnership with theNorth Central Texas Council ofGovernments (NCTCOG).Withthe grant, DCTA hopes to

become a part of the RegionalBicycle/Pedestrian MultimodelNetwork that includes 10regional partners.At the end of May, DCTA

applied for a TransportationAlternatives Program (TAP)grant which is sponsored byNCTCOG.Pending grant approval,

DCTA anticipates that Rail Trailconstruction from HighlandVillage/Lewisville Lake Stationto Old Town Station will be fin-ished in 2016, with the remain-der to be done by 2017. Grantswill be awarded in the fall, saidKristina Brevard, DCTA VicePresident of Marketing &Communications.

Farther north, plans are inthe works for TxDOT to com-plete a third phase of the projectwhich includes bike and walk-ing trails from Kelton Crossingto Swisher Road.When the trails are complete,

residents and visitors will beable tomove about the length ofthe A-train’s 21-mile networkeither by rail, foot or bicycle or acombination.The trail will connect each

section and provide bike ridersan opportunity to cycle all theway or take a break and ride thetrain.All DCTA vehicles accommo-

date bikes whenever possible ona space-available basis.

A-train18


DCTA promotes rail safetyBy Tim BlackwellFor the Denton Record-Chronicle

With the start of schooljust around the cor-ner, Denton County

residents are sure to make themost of their final few days ofsummer vacation as memorableas possible. That may meanspending more time in variousparts of the county and know-ingly or unknowingly minglingwith the DCTA A-train.DCTA officials want to

remind community membersthat getting too close to movingtrains is dangerous and illegal.Motorists should practice gradecrossing safety and never try to

beat the train, and pedestriansshould not trespass on trackswhich may appear to be unoc-cupied.Safety starts at home, says

DCTA Vice President ofMarketing andCommunications KristinaBrevard.“It’s important for parents to

remind children that the tracksare not a place to play, and theyare not a sidewalk,” she said.The message isn’t just limited

to practicing safety around theA-train.Three of the nation’s major

Class I freight railroads – UnionPacific (UP), Kansas City

Southern and BNSF Railway –pass through the county daily.Several long Union Pacifictrains pass through DowntownDenton, briefly parallelingMingo Road, Bell Avenue andSouth Locust and crossing anumber of streets.UP spokesman Steve Lazzari

says almost two years after therailroad industry enjoyed one ofits safest years ever, highway-rail incidents at public and pri-vate crossings and trespassingincidents are on the rise at astartling rate.

See SAFETY on Page 19

A-train 19HM


“Every three hours somebodyor a vehicle gets hit by a train inthe U.S.,” he said aboard a UPSpecial that recently passedthrough Denton on its way toOklahoma. “Just thismorning, Igot three notifications (of inci-dents).”As an industry, railroads have

reduced grade crossing inci-dents since 1972 by 83 percent,according to OperationLifesaver, a national rail safetyadvocate. However, last yearhad a disturbing uptick from2012 with 2,017 highway-railincidents at public and privatecrossings. Two hundred fifty-one people died and 929 otherswere injured.Trespassing incidents are also

on the rise. According to theFederal RailroadAdministration (FRA), last yearin the U.S. there were 476 tres-passing fatalities, up 11 percentfrom 2012 when the industryexperienced its safest year ever,reported by freight and passen-ger railroads. The amount offatalities and injuries in 2013rose nearly 7 percent.“We don’t know why that’s

up,” Lazzari said. “Maybe it’stexting. We just don’t know.”Texas trespassing fatalities

and injuries have actuallydropped 11 percent, but in otherparts of the country they are up

dramatically. In New Jersey, astate heavy on freight and com-muter passenger rail, 18 peoplehave lost their lives and 15 havebeen injured – a 153 percentincrease.Lazzari, a former locomotive

engineer, and others who oper-ate massive locomotives knowfirsthand about the power andforce behind a train going 55mph. A 100-car freight traintraveling at that speed takesabout a mile to stop, dependingon conditions.Trains don’t swerve, Lazzari

says. Folks should view a gradecrossing the same as any other

kind of intersectionwhere roadsand tracks intersect.“You have to yield,” he said.Operation Lifesaver launched

its “See Tracks. Think Train”campaign in April to get backon track what’s been a largelysuccessful safety run in theindustry over the last 40 years.DCTA is playing an active

role in promoting rail safety.The transit agency works withlocal schools and organizationsthrough its RAIL READY pro-gram to promote safety aroundthe tracks. The RAIL READYprogram is based on OperationLifesaver’s message to stay offthe tracks and teach communitymembers to “Look, Listen &Live.”“We want to continue to

emphasize that people need tobe safe around the tracks and tonot take shortcuts,” she said.

From

Safety

A-train20


DCTA expands bus systemBy Tim BlackwellFor the Denton Record-Chronicle

Denton CountryT r a n s p o r t a t i o nAuthority’s recent

upgrades to the Connect BusService is helping increase rid-ership andproviding better con-nections for passengers to theA-train.New, bigger buses and a route

change in Lewisville havehelped improve travel and con-nections with the A-train forpassengers using the DCTA sys-tem.“We’ve started using larger

buses in Lewisville to addressthe need for additional capaci-

ty,” said Kristina Brevard, DCTAVice President of Marketing &Communications. “We’veimplemented some greatchanges. Ridership has steadilyincreased system-wide; espe-cially on Lewisville Connect.”

Changing Route 21 to servethe Waters Ridge Business Parkon Lewisville Connect hashelped reach higher densityemployment areas betweenHebron Station and Old TownStation. A-train riders can

board Route 21 at HebronStation to get to Water RidgeBusiness Park.DCTA has made a significant

investment and improvementto its bus system in the past sev-eralmonths, and indications arethat the recent changes areadding positive results.During the current fiscal year,

DCTA purchased five new, larg-er buses to serve the Lewisvillearea. Capacity on eachLewisville Connect bus grew to23 seats, including three forwheelchairs, from 19 on olderbuses.

See DCTA on Page 21

A-train 21


Also, in February, the transitagency opened its new $8.2-million Bus and OperationsMaintenance facility to replacethe previously leased facilitylocated at the landfill onMayhillRoad in Denton. Constructionof the 22,000-square-foot facil-ity, which began in 2011, wascomplete in January 2014.Buses are repaired, maintained,washed, fueled and parked atthe facility, which has six bays.DCTA Connect has provided

fixed route bus service inLewisville and Denton for sev-eral years.The routeswere configured to

provide easy access to manyimportant destinations withinthese cities, Monday throughSaturday, excluding major holi-days.InMay of 2013, DCTA recog-

nized the need to increase serv-ice in Lewisville, one of thefastest growing cities on the A-train footprint. Earlier this year,DCTA increased frequenciesand adjusted schedules toimprove on-time performanceon several routes, including thethree routes in Lewisville.Midday frequency wasincreased for passengers on

Route 21, in addition to routes22 and 23.To help citizens move about

where fixed routes do not go,DCTA also offers ConnectRSVP and Connect On-Demand. The services also helpconnectivity for the A-train.Connect RSVP is a curb-to-

curb bus service offered inHighland Village and NorthLewisville, and operatesMonday through Friday, exclud-ing major holidays.Connect-On-Demand links

the Lewisville Senior Centerwith Route 21. This area isserved Monday-Friday 9:00a.m. to 3:30 p.m. upon requestof the passenger. Passengerswishing to depart the LewisvilleSenior Center during On-Demand hours can request apick up via Route 21 by calling940-243-0077.“Connect RSVP is a great

service option for those inHighland Village and NorthLewisville to reach theHighland Village/LewisvilleLake Station to connect to theA-train,” Brevard said.Denton Connect has also

seen some recent improve-ments. Frequency for weekdayservice was boosted for Route 1and 6, and Route 3 and 4 wereadjusted to improve on-timeperformance. A-train connec-

tions for Route 5 at the EulineBrock Downtown TransitCenter (DDTC) were alsoimproved, as well as modifica-tions made to Routes 7 and 8 tobetter serve night classes at theUniversity of North Texas.In August, passengers will

have a new option to get to theUNT campus. TheUNT ShuttleColoradoExpresswill now servethe MedPark Station and pro-vide an option for thosewho live

near that station and travel toUNT. Prior to Colorado Expressserving the MedPark Station,passengers would board Route2 at MedPark and transfer toRoutes 7, 8 or 9 for travel to theUNT campus.The new route changes pro-

vide additional options for trav-el to UNT. The change alsoenables riders to now utilize theMedPark Station as a Park &Ride to the UNT campus viaColorado Express. The generalpublic can also take advantageof this change and all UNTShuttle routes.“This modification to the

UNT Shuttle Colorado Expresswill have many benefits for pas-sengers,” Brevard said.“Students, faculty and staff canuse theMedPark Station to parktheir cars, take ColoradoExpress and get to the UNTcampus. It will also eliminate atransfer for some passengers.”For more information, please

visit www.RideDCTA.net

From

DCTA

A-train22


Ride the A-Train to fun festivalsBy Steve GamelFor the Denton Record-Chronicle

Denton hosts a variety offestivals throughout theyear and is quickly

becoming a popular place tovisit in the Metroplex. Perhapsthe best part for visitors is theydon’t have to fight traffic to getin on the fun.The A-Train commuter rail

has connected visitors betweenDenton and the rest of theDallas-Fort Worth area since2011 and is a quicker alternativeto Interstate 35E. Those inter-ested in catching a North Texasfootball game at ApogeeStadium or experiencing enter-tainment options on the square

won’t have toworry about trafficjams or construction.“We are changing a para-

digm,” said Kim Phillips, vicepresident of the DentonConvention andVisitors Bureauat the Denton Chamber ofCommerce. “Our culture hasalways been attached to vehi-cles; public transportation hasnever really been much of whatwe are about. Now, we can showpeople how relaxing it is andhow much more they can getdone by just riding the train. Ifyou want to go to an event like afootball game that has lots ofpeople and you don’t want todeal with traffic, just ride thetrain.”

Because of Denton’s conve-niently located entertainmentvenues, parks and public facili-ties, the A-Train literally dropsvisitors right in the midle of theaction. Most events — such asthe Denton Arts & Jazz Festivaland Denton Holiday LightingFestival — are within walkingdistance.Denton has so much more to

offer, from one-time attractionsto festivals that last three or fourdays. Below is a list of just someof the bigger annual events thatcan be accessed with the A-Train.

AArrttss,, AAnnttiiqquueess && AAuuttoossEExxttrraavvaaggaannzzaa —— SSeepptteemmbbeerr

22001144 wwwwww..ddeennttoonnmmaaiinnssttrreeeett--..oorrggThis festival is put on by the

DentonMain Street Associationevery year. It’s a classic, hot rodand custom car, truck andmotorcycle show with livemusic, fine arts, kids activitiesand games, food and shopping.It is located on Hickory Streetright outside the DentonCounty Courthouse-on-the-Square. Visitors get to seeantique and classic cars upclose, most of which have beenrestored and preserved.

DDeennttoonn BBlluueess FFeesstt ——SSeepptteemmbbeerr 22001144 wwwwww..ddeennttoonn--bbllaacckkcchhaammbbeerroonnlliinnee..oorrgg

A-train 23


The Denton Black Chamberof Commerce will host itsDenton Blues Fest thisSeptember at QuakertownPark. The event features music,a Blues Idol contest and ApolloNight for the children.

OOaakkttooppiiaa MMuussiicc && CCuullttuurraallFFeessttiivvaall —— SSeepptteemmbbeerr 22001144wwwwww..ooaakkttooppiiaaffeesstt..ccoommThis event is in just its second

year, but the innagural festival— held in downtown Dentonthis past September — was aninstant attraction for seriousmusic fans and festival lovers.Oaktopia offers everything fromlive music to art, competitionsand events and a wide assort-ment of community vendors.

CCaannnneedd FFeessttiivvaall —— OOccttoobbeerr22001144 wwwwww..uunnttaappppeeddffeessttiivvaall--..ccoommThis is one of the newer festi-

vals in the area and will takeover the square for one day inOctober. Those who put on theevent are passionate about greatmusic and even better bear; thefestival website says the eventwill feature over 30 breweriesand 50-plus beers. Visitors willhave the chance to sample awide range of these amazingbeers while listening to cooltunes and eating free barbecue.

DDeennttoonn’’ss DDaayy ooff tthhee DDeeaaddFFeessttiivvaall —— OOccttoobbeerr 22001144wwwwww..ddeennttoonnddaayyoofftthheeddeeaaddffeessttii--vvaall..ccoommDenton’s Day of the Dead

Festival is typically held on thelast Saturday in October onHickory and Industrial Street.The event is a celebration of allthings Halloween with music, apumpkin patch, carnival gamesand a circus freak show to namejust a few of the latest attrac-tions. One of the biggest, how-ever, is the coffin races.Competing teams race with

soapbox cars shaped like coffinsdownHickory Street. The eventis free to the public and a por-tion of the sponsorships aredonated to local charity.

HHoolliiddaayy LLiigghhttiinngg FFeessttiivvaall ooffDDeennttoonn —— DDeecceemmbbeerr 22001144wwwwww..ddeennttoonnhhoolliiddaayylliigghhttiinngg..ccoommLocated on the Courthouse

Square, this event includes thefamed lighting of the ChristmasTree on the historic courthouselawn, visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, a chil-dren’s arts and crafts area andlive music. The Wassail Fest isalso typically held in conjunc-tion with the holiday festival.

TThhiinn LLiinnee —— FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001155wwwwww..tthhiinnlliinneeffiillmmffeesstt..ccoommThin Line is a five-day docu-

mentary film festival and is theonly one of its kind in Texas.This past year marked the firsttime festival officials incorpo-rated music gigs into the tradi-tional film schedule, stagingevents at multiple downtownvenues—all withinwalking dis-tance — in addition to daytimeand early evening documentary

screenings at the CampusTheatre and the Fine ArtsTheatre near and on the down-town square. The festival hasbecome a popular attractionsince its start in 2007 andbrings together more than 60documentary films, some ofwhich are related toDenton andmade by local filmmakers.

3355 DDeennttoonn —— MMaarrcchh 22001155wwwwww..3355ddeennttoonn..ccoommAfter taking a year off, 35

Denton returns in 2015 with itsown colorful music blend ofexperimental, rock, pop, indieand hip hop. The four-daywalk-able music festival — which hasgained international attention— has always set up shop indowntown Denton, but there istalk of possibly moving it toanother site. Either way, it’s amust-see event and has featuredgroups like The Pains of BeingPure at Heart, The MountainGoats, Best Coast, The FlamingLips and Reggie Watts.

DDeennttoonn AArrttss && JJaazzzz FFeessttiivvaall—— AApprriill 22001155 wwwwww..ddeennttoonnjjaazz--zzffeesstt..ccoommThis free event continues to

draw record attendance num-bers. It is held during the lastfull week of April at Denton’sQuakertown Park and featuresover 2,000 professional andamateur performers on sixstages and showcases continu-ous music, fine art, crafts, foodand games.Headliners from the2014 eventwere Al Jarreau, TheQuebe Sisters Band, Asleep atthe Wheel and Brave Combo.

DDeennttoonn RReeddbbuudd FFeessttiivvaall ——AApprriill 22001155 wwwwww..kkddbb..oorrggThis is another must-see

event, even if it’s a bit longerwalk to the Denton CivicCenter. Denton is known as theRedbud Capital of Texas andthis event happens to coincidewith the blooming of theRedbuds. Visitors who are avidhome and garden enthusiastswill love the shows, booths andeducational programs held dur-ing this one-day event.

DDeennttoonn CCiinnccoo DDee MMaayyoo ——MMaayy 22001155 wwwwww..ddeennttoonncciinnccoo--..oorrgg oorr wwwwww..ddeennttoonnppaarrkkss..ccoommThis is a must-see celebration

of the cultural traditions, songs,dances and food of theHispaniccommunity. The event is head-ing into its 26th year and is heldat Quakertown Park on EastMcKinney Street, though theparade route flows thru thesquare. Activities include livebands, concession stands andpicnic areas.

JJuunneetteeeenntthh CCeelleebbrraattiioonn ——JJuunnee 22001155 wwwwww..ddeennttoonnjjuunnee--tteeeenntthh..oorrggFor those who don’t mind a

bit longer walk, the annualJuneteenth Celebration is atwo-day event held at FredMoore Park off Bradshaw andEast Prairie Street. It features alive band, softball and basket-ball tournaments, a parade anda barbecue cook-off.

A-train24


Hickory Street renovations planned from Square to train stationBy Peggy Heinkel-WolfeStaff Writer

Construction crews have started thenext phase rebuilding HickoryStreet, a “grand street” renovation

planned from the A-Train Station to theSquare.They have demolished the west side of

theWilliams Square parking lot, just east ofAustin Street, and poured new cement.Once the renovations in the west side of

the parking lot are complete, crews willmove to the east side. The renovations willchange the entrances and exits to the lot.Parking spaces will also change from angledto perpendicular.The entire makeover will narrowHickory

Street to two lanes, widen the sidewalks,add more bike racks, define the crosswalks,and add trees and other landscaping fromthe Square to the train station. Officials esti-mate the project will cost $3.1 million and

be finished in late February or early March.During the next phase, crews will remove

the north side on-street parking alongHickory Street from Austin to Bell Avenue.Traffic will shift to the two lanes on thesouth side as crews rebuild the north side.After that work is done, drivers will be trav-eling on new pavement as reconstructionmoves to the south side.During both these phases, the city plans

to keep the sidewalks accessible. Crews willlay plywood panels over construction areas

for business access, too.People can also expect back-in parking to

begin at some point during this phase,according to city spokesmanBrianDaskam.The City Council agreed to a design

change that will have drivers backing intoangled parking spaces between LocustStreet and Bell Avenue.Both the Williams Square parking lot

renovations and the Hickory Street recon-struction are expected to increase availableparking in the area from the current 234spots to 320 spots.Daskam said the city, not the city’s electric

utility, will install new street lights plannedfor the route from the Square to the trainstation.Once that work is done, Denton

Municipal Electric will return with specialpanels that will allow festival organizers toaccess electricity in many areas along thestreet.

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summer a-train magazine 2014

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