A-TRAIN: Going Mobile · third year of A-train operations, Denton County Transportation Authority...

A-TRAIN:Going Mobile

JULY 2013

Denton Record-Chronicle • www.dentonrc.com

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A-train 5G5

Denton County Transportation Authority

INSIDEA PUBLICATION OF THE DENTON RECORD-CHRONICLE

CREDITS

Food Truckin’ TuesdaysFind fun for the whole family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

GrowthA-train ridership numbers climbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8

Advance noticeA-train schedule changes effective Aug. 26 . . . . . . . . . . Page 11

Traffic concerns?A-train offers respite from I-35E construction work . . Page 12

EnforcementFare Enforcement Program targets evaders . . . . . . . . . Page 13

SafetyDCTA programs educate on rail safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14

Fall debutNew mobile apps to bring information to fingertips . . Page 23

EducationDCTA works with schools, community groups . . . . . . . Page 26

Editor: Dawn CobbAdvertising Director: Sandra HammondRetail Advertising Manager: Shawn ReneauWriters/photographers/designers: Tim Blackwell withBallpark Impressions LLC, Bj Lewis, Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe, Kaycee Key, Jason Lee, Al Key, David Minton.

A-train6


Food Truckin’ Tuesdays held at transit center

Denton CountyT r a n s p o r t a t i o nAuthority is hoping that

Denton County workers andresidents work up an appetiteto the ride the A-train.

In early July, the agency host-ed the second of three SummerFood Truckin’ Tuesdays at theDowntown Denton TransitCenter (DDTC) in Denton.Area food trucks serving every-thing from sushi to sliders wereon hand to feed the hungrywhile the A-train rolled in andout of the station.

The pilot program isdesigned to acquaint new riderswith DCTA commuter rail andother transportation serviceswhile tickling the taste buds.

“Our focus is getting peopleto the Downtown transit cen-ter,” said DCTA Marketing &Communications ManagerKristina Brevard, who helpedconceive the event. “It’sdesigned to be a communityvenue. Really, it’s getting peoplethere so we can talk to themabout DCTA services.”

While chefs on wheelswhipped up a number of tastydishes, DCTA staff was on handto answer questions and explainhow the A-train and other tran-sit options work within theagency. DCTA hasn’t been ableto measure new ridershipattributed to the events but offi-cials took note that the firstFood Truckin’ Tuesday in Juneattracted a few hundred food-ies, including some from as faraway as Lewisville.

“Some Lewisville school dis-trict staff members rode thetrain to attend the event,”Brevard said. “That was reallyneat to see. And some of theindividuals were there because

they heard about it by followingthe food trucks on Facebook.There were a lot of food truckfans. A couple of people called intheir orders in advance anddropped by to pick them up.”

Brevard said each of the threeDenton-based trucks on handdid brisk business. One ran outof food and another got close. Inall, nearly 200 food items weresold.

The program, which givespreference to local trucks, wasfood for thought for Brevard,who saw an opportunity to mar-ket DTCA in April while aDallas television station filmed astory on the city’s iconic cultureand heritage. While filmingbegan focusing on the Squareand other downtown areas,Brevard suggested printing thecity’s flavor in a different way.

She suggested that a few food

trucks set up shop at the DDTCaround the lunch hour. Wordspread and locals dropped by fora quick bite during a two-hourimpromptu event.

“They loved the idea,” Brevardsaid. “It was very spur of themoment. That was our firstlunch time event and it wentvery well. So, we decided we’ddo a summer pilot program.”

The program follows the city’slargely successful food truckevent hosted in October. About3,000 were on hand for NiteBites, which celebrated thereturn and expansion of the A-train’s Friday night service.About a half-dozen trucksparked at the festival, which alsopromoted Denton’s food truckculture, for the six-hour eventthat lasted well into the evening.

Denton City CouncilmanKevin Roden has long been a

proponent of food trucks inDenton and a key organizer ofFood Truckin’ Tuesdays.

“The Downtown DentonTransit Center, with its commu-nity room and outdoor perform-ance areas, was designed to be adowntown activity center andplace for community gather-ings,” he said. “We had such agreat response from the previ-ous food truck events that wecreated this summer pilot pro-gram.”

The table is being set for thelast chance to catch lunch and aride on Aug. 6 at the DDTC.Brevard hopes it will feature atleast four trucks, includingsome that haven’t rolled intoDenton for previous events.Trucks will serve from 11:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

See TRUCKS on Page 7

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No timeline has been set forfuture events, although DCTAis already fielding requests.Brevard said DCTA hopes tofind the right recipe for moremobile feasts but doesn’t wantthe Food Truckin’ Tuesday pro-motion to go stale by having ittoo often. Like mom’s signaturemeat loaf, too much of a goodthing isn’t always the bestanswer. “It helps give foodtrucks exposure, and it’s a reallygood partnership betweenDCTA, the food truck commu-nity and the City of Denton,”Brevard said. “But it’s a noveltyitem and we have to find thatbalance of what works best forthe community and DCTA.”

Tim Blackwell

From Page 6

Trucks

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A-train ridership numbers continue to climbBy Tim Blackwell

With July’s start of thethird year of A-trainoperations, Denton

County TransportationAuthority officials are hoping tostay on a roll. More DentonCounty riders have taken to therails since July 2012 than pro-jected and the upcoming con-struction on Interstate 35 couldmean even more take the train.

A-train ridership is 38 per-cent higher than it was in 2012with 95,000 more riders,according to data released inlate May. Through the firsteight months of fiscal year2013, 342,499 trips were made,compared to 247,803 for thesame period last year.

“It’s much greater than weanticipated,” said Jarod Varner,DCTA’s outgoing vice presidentof operations. “We would havenever expected 38 percentgrowth starting our third yearof ridership.”

Ridership began spiking lastfall and continued after the firstof the year. The A-train experi-enced 42 percent growth fromOctober-December 2012 com-pared to FY2012. The surgecontinued in January when 43percent more passengersboarded than in January 2012.

Through the spring, numberswere equally encouraging.

“It’s just the maturing of thesystem,” said Varner. “More andmore people are finding outabout [the A-train]. We’ve hadsignificant improvement.”

DCTA also believes thatrecent service changes havecontributed to the upticks. InAugust, the agency added mid-day rail service to close a six-hour gap in the schedule, aswell as expanded Friday Night

and Saturday service. ByJanuary, a weekday eveningsouthbound departure wasadded to better serve universityevening classes and later workschedules.

“Our recent changes were indirect response to customerfeedback,” said Jim Cline, DCTApresident. “Clearly, our cus-tomers have responded positive-ly to these changes. As we planfor the next stages of serviceimprovements, we are excitedabout what the future holds.”

In February, DCTA began lay-ing the groundwork to accom-modate more riders duringupcoming I-35E construction.The DCTA staff presented pro-posed updates to the five-yearoperating and capital plan at theannual retreat of the authority’sboard of directors. In additionto addressing capital needs andmaintenance of the system, theplan focuses on improving thepassenger experience withimproved amenities andexpanded bus and rail services.

“We see the planned expan-sion of I-35 as an opportunity togrow ridership by providing analternative,” Cline said. “Ournext series of improvements willposition us to attract and retainthe new users.”

Even at the current pace, A-train ridership is closing in ondaily ridership projections madewhen the rail line was in itsinfancy.

DCTA followed the lead of theNorth Central Texas Council ofGovernment’s travel demandmodel and set ridership at anaverage 2,800 per day, a num-ber largely driven by “seasonal”ridership during the school yearby service to and from area col-leges. Other daily and specialevent ridership was also fac-tored in.

While actual ridership is stillshy of the projected 2,800 tripsper day, officials are seeing signsthat suggest their goal will bereached sooner than later.Special promotions are provingsuccessful and first-time week-

end riders are returning, Varnersaid.

“They try it and like it,” hesaid. “On the weekend it’s con-venient and cost effective to rideour services.”

DCTA is currently offering acouple of promotions to helpboost the numbers. ThroughAug. 17, families can purchasethe Family Fun Pass and six canride for the price of one. Thedeal - purchase of an adult daypass for $6 local or $10 regional- is good for not only the A-trainbut with partnering agencies.The cost includes two adultsand four children for a ride oneither the A-train, or DallasArea Rapid Transit, TrinityRailway Express or the FortWorth T. Also, a discounted passthat allows youth passengers totravel the DCTA locally duringthe summer months is available.The 2013 Summer Youth Passprovides youth, ages 5-18, withunlimited access to the Denton

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and Lewisville Connect buses,Connect RSVP, UNT Shuttleand trips within Denton Countyon the A-train.

The Summer Youth Pass, inits sixth year, is valid during themonths of June, July, andAugust at a cost of $30.

Programs like the Family FunPass and Summer Youth Pass,along with adding trains thatmore easily link with busroutes, are ways that DCTA isstriving to improve connectivi-ty, Varner said.

“We are doing a lot toenhance connectivity,” he said.“We make a concerted effort tomake sure that those trips withthe A-train provide a last mileconnection.”

From Page 8

Ridership

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A-train schedule changes effective on Aug. 26

Riders of the DentonCounty TransportationAuthority’s A-train and

bus services can expect to seesome changes to the schedule inAugust.

DCTA staff regularly reviewssystem performance and makesrecommendations to the boardon alterations that can improveservice. Those changes areimplemented twice a year inAugust and January. The nextround of services changes will beeffective Aug. 26.

DCTA staff held open housesin Lewisville, Highland Villageand Denton as well as a TwitterOnline Chat to gather feedbackfrom the community regardingspecific service considerationsfor August 2013.

“We took feedback from oper-ators and the public on how wecan make better connectionsbetween the bus and the train,”said Jim Cline, DCTA president.“I think they show a great deal ofpotential. We’re trying to beresponsive and set the stage for(possible) increased service inJanuary depending on how thebudget works out.”

Service changes passengerscan expect to see in Augustinclude:

Denton Connect� Route 2 – Connection

between Denton RegionalMedical Center and MedParkStation will only operate uponpassenger request. This con-nection is currently used on asmall percentage of trips. The

modification will allow for morerecovery time, which will posi-tively impact on-time perform-ance.

� All route schedules havebeen reviewed to improve con-nections whenever possible.

Lewisville Connect� Route 21 – The route will be

extended to serve the 30-plusbusinesses within the Water’sRidge Business Park, providingaccess for more than 1,500employees.

� All route schedules havebeen reviewed to improve con-nections whenever possible.

A-train� The weekday schedule will

be reviewed to ensure connec-tivity with the modified GreenLine schedule.

� The current Late nightFriday train 5957 (11:55 p.m.southbound ) will be shifted to11:15 p.m. in August and will bethe last train on Friday night.

� The last train Fridaynight (5960) and Saturdaynight (5359) have had very lowridership and will cease run-ning. Those trips will be shiftedto allow for earlier trip opportu-nities on Saturday.

� Saturday morning servicewill begin 2 hours earlier.

� Saturday northboundservice will begin from OldTown Station at 7:40 a.m.rather than 9:40 a.m.

� A southbound departurefrom downtown Denton will beavailable at 8:15 a.m. onSaturdays.

A-train12


By Bj LewisStaff Writer

Motorists who frequentInterstate 35E willsoon see TxDOT

workers break ground on theexpansion of the highway.

That construction willbecome a familiar sight for thenext few years, time motoristcan use to give the DentonCounty TransportationAuthority and its A-train a shot.“I-35 expansion is a great oppor-tunity for DCTA to really be apart of the regional transporta-tion solution. It gives us achance to provide a reliablealternative for I-35E bothnorthbound and southboundfor students, commuters or visi-tors,” said Jim Cline, DCTApresident.

Phase 1, which is scheduledto break ground this fall, willcover the highway from

Interstate 635 in Dallas to U.S.Highway 380 in Denton, addingtwo reversible managed lanesand one general-purpose lane ineach direction, mostly withinthe existing right of way. Phase 2would involve adding two moremanaged lanes in each directionand reconstructing the frontageroad and all bridges that cross I-35E.

Phase 2 will begin once con-struction on the first phase iscomplete.

Denton County transporta-tion consultant John Polstersaid work will begin in the corri-dor by late October. Utilities arecurrently begin worked on,Polster said.

The work will be done byAGL Constructors, a consor-tium that includes ArcherWestern Contractors LLC,Granite Construction Co. andLane Construction Corp.,

“We have had several meetingswith AGL and the stakeholdersalong the corridor and the citiesto make sure everyone under-stands the plans for staging,construction and traffic control,”Polster said adding those meet-ings occur monthly.

He said at some point inAugust, before constructionbegins, TxDOT will open a pub-lic information office inLewisville, that will be fullystaffed with TxDOT staff whowill be able to answer any ques-tions people may have on theexpansion project. The officewill be open for the duration ofthe project.

As TxDOT prepares for thebeginning of construction, Clinesaid DCTA has been doing someplanning well before the startdate of expansion. One of thegoals of A-train was to have itoperation before the expansion

project started.“That’s a real success story,”Cline said.

The A-train will be ready forthe potential flood of new riderswho grow weary of navigatingthe construction work.“Capacity wise, we built the sys-tem to accommodate more pas-senger than are currently on it,”Cline said.

“And we will certainly look atany changes we have to make inour services and planning toaccommodate the influx offolks.”

Cline noted that recent workdone to better synchronize busand rail times as one of thechanges he said.“When the impact is felt, we willbe ready to meet the needs ofthe public,” he said.

BJ LEWIS can be reached at940-566-6875 and via Twitterat @BjlewisDRC.

A-train offers respite from I-35E construction work

A-train 13

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Fare Enforcement Program targets evadersBy Tim Blackwell

In the eyes of a public transportationprovider, more riders are usually betterfor the system.

But fare evaders, those who ride withoutpaying for their seats, get a few stares and, inthe case of the A-train, a citation.

The Denton County TransportationAuthority is about four months into its FareEnforcement Program, which is designed tocull riders who don’t purchase a ticket orpass.

So far so good.Since March, DCTA enforcement officers

have issued more than 300 warnings orcitations since training bus operations staffto enforce fares and collection on the A-train.

The majority of the citations have beenwarnings to emphasize to those who don’t

purchase a ticket or pass that they will besubject to a hefty fine.

The total of 285 warnings and 71 citationsthrough May pale in comparison to totalridership of about 70,000 but are on par,says Jarod Varner, Vice President ofOperations.

“We thought we’d be close to the industrystandard of 1 to 2 percent, and I think that’swhere we are,” he said. “We haven’t done anydetailed analysis.”

While they don’t want to discourageDenton County residents from using publictransportation, DCTA officials say it’s justgood business and service to the communityto encourage a pay-as-you-go mentality. Theefforts are a culmination of about two yearsof planning.

During the 82nd Texas LegislativeSession in 2011, DCTA’s board adopted a

legislative agenda that included a provisionto allow DCTA the authority to enforce faresand fare collection.

In January 2013, DCTA began trainingnine members of the bus operations super-visory staff to also serve as fare enforcementofficers on the A-train, beginning in March.

Each fare enforcement officer spendsabout 4.5 hours per week walking trains andchecking riders for passes or tickets.

Warning citations were issued for the firsttwo months.

Fare evaders who are cited have 30 daysto pay DCTA a $75 fee either by mail, on-line at the DCTA website or in person at theDowntown Denton Transit Center.

After the 30-day period has passed, cita-tions, which are Class C misdemeanors, aredelivered to a justice of the peace for judicialdisposition.

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DCTA programs educate on rail safetyCarefree summer days

and vacation dreamsshouldn’t collide with

commuter rail. Now that schoolis out and thoughts turn torelaxation and fun, the DentonCounty TransportationAuthority reminds that safetyaround the A-train is somethingthat the community needs to beaware of and take seriously.

DCTA Marketing andCommunications ManagerKristina Brevard says now is anopportune time for the public topractice rail safety around A-train grade crossings, rights ofway and at station platforms.

“Trespassing on railroadproperty is illegal and it’s a fact

that most people aren’t awareof,” Brevard says. “With summerhere, we want people if they livenear a train track to be mindfulof the dangers of train tracks.We want to tell them to stay offthe train track.”

DCTA’s Rail Ready programand Operation Lifesaver are twovaluable resources to educateDenton County communities onrail safety, Brevard says. TheRail Ready program focuses onbeing safe while using the A-train and how to practice safetyaround the rail corridor.

The program, begun in 2010,is based on Operation Lifesaver,a national rail safety program.The rail safety education and

outreach program focuses onstaying off the tracks and teach-ing community members to“Look, Listen & Live.”

Much attention to trespassingand grade crossing safety hasbeen generated nationally alongthe U.S. freight and passengerrail network in recent years. TheAmerican Public Transportation

Association (APTA) estimatesthat 35 million times each week-day, people use public trans-portation.

Nationwide, railroad safety isimproving along the estimated210,000 grade crossings.

See LIFESAVER on Page 24

“Trespassing on railroad property is illegaland it’s a fact that most people aren’t

aware of.”— Kristina Brevard., marketing and communications manager,


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A day on the A-trainPlan a trip using the handy

trip planner at DCTA.net.Set up much like the

online Google maps, this tripplanner requires a point of ori-

gin (where you’re at), an arrivalpoint (where’d you like to go)and the departure time (whenyou’d like to leave to get whereyou are going). You can also

input the day/date to make sureall of the connections are exact.Once you’ve filled these out, amap complete with detailedinstructions - and even alterna-

tive transportation routes - willimmediately open on yourscreen. Below and on the nextpage are a few destinations wetried on the DCTA Trip Planner.

WHERE: Amerlcan AirlinesCenterWHAT: Concert, sportseventHOW LONG: 1 hour, 42 min-utes (estimated)POINT OF ORIGIN: DentonDowntownTransit CenterCONNECTIONS: Take A-trainto the Trinity Mills Station.Cross the platform to catchDART’s Green Line. You willthen get off at VictoryStation. The walk to center isabout 4 minutes.

WHERE: Sixth Floor Museumin Dallas in the former TexasSchool Book Depository thatoverlooks Dealey Plaza.WHAT: History HOW LONG: 1 hour, 45 min-utesCONNECTIONS: Take A-trainto the Trinity Mills Station.Cross the platform to catchDART’s Green Line. You willthen get off at the West EndStation. The walk to themuseum is about 4 minutes.

A-train 17


WHERE: White Rock LakeWHAT: Popular kayakingdestinationHOW LONG: 3 hours, 5 min-utes (estimated)POINT OF ORIGIN: DentonDowntownTransit CenterCONNECTIONS: Take A-trainto the Trinity Mills Station.Cross the platform to catchDART’s Green Line. You willthen get off at Fair ParkStation. Then walk to Parryat Exposition to catch thebus toward 60 S. GarlandT.C. From there, White RockLake is a 26-minute walk.

WHERE: The Nasher Sculpture Center (at left)WHAT: Art, downtown Dallas ambianceHOW LONG: 1 hour, 51 minutes (estimated)POINT OF ORIGIN: Denton DowntownTransit CenterCONNECTIONS: Take A-train to the Trinity MillsStation. Cross the platform to catch DART’s GreenLine. You will then get off at the St. Paul Station.The walk to center is about 6 minutes.

WHERE: Dallas Zoo (above)WHAT: Fun for the whole familyHOW LONG: 2 hours, 5 minutes (estimated)POINT OF ORIGIN: Denton DowntownTransit CenterCONNECTIONS: Take A-train to the Trinity Mills Station. Crossthe platform to catch DART’s Green Line. You will then get offat the West End Station. Walk to Elm at Market to catch thebus towards 19 Ann Arbor. Then, a 1-minute walk to theDallas Zoo to see the wildlife.

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 5921 5923 5925 5927 5931 5933 5935 5937 5939 5941 5943 5945 5947 5949 5951 5353 5955 5957 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

5:04 5:25 5:48 6:10 6:32 6:54 7:16 7:38 7:57 8:50 9:34 11:30 1:15 3:00 3:46 4:06 4:28 4:50 5:12 5:34 5:56 6:17 6:38 7:02 7:48 8:30 9:15 11:15

5:09 5:30 5:53 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 7:43 8:02 8:55 9:39 11:35 1:20 3:05 3:51 4:11 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:22 6:43 7:07 7:53 8:35 9:20 11:20

5:20 5:41 6:04 6:26 6:48 7:10 7:32 7:54 8:13 9:06 9:50 11:46 1:31 3:16 4:02 4:22 4:44 5:06 5:28 5:50 6:12 6:33 6:54 7:18 8:04 8:46 9:31 11:31

5:26 5:47 6:10 6:32 6:54 7:16 7:38 8:00 8:19 9:12 9:56 11:52 1:37 3:22 4:08 4:28 4:50 5:12 5:34 5:56 6:18 6:39 7:00 7:24 8:10 8:52 9:37 11:37

5:31 5:52 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 7:43 8:05 8:24 9:17 10:01 11:57 1:42 3:27 4:13 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:23 6:44 7:05 7:29 8:15 — 9:42 11:42

5:36 5:57 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 7:48 8:10 8:29 9:22 10:06 12:02 1:47 3:32 4:18 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:28 6:49 7:10 7:34 8:20 — 9:47 11:47

5:43 5:58 6:28 6:43 7:14 7:28 7:58 8:15 8:30 9:30 10:10 12:10 1:50 3:41 4:26 4:41 5:11 5:30 5:50 6:10 6:30 6:50 7:10 7:50 8:30 — 9:57 11:59

STATIONestaciones

DDTCMedPark DentonHV/LLOld TownHebronTrinity MillsGreen Line Departs

Friday NightViernes par la noche

A-TRAIN SCHEDULEInformaciòn sobre A-train

Effective August 26, 2013Please 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”

Follow us on

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 5 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

Northbound to Denton Norte a Denton

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

— — — — 5:48 6:10 6:32 6:54 7:16 7:59 8:50 10:26 12:26 2:06 — — 3:46 4:06 4:28 4:50 5:12 5:34 5:56 6:18 6:40 7:26 8:10 10:30

— — — — 5:53 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 8:04 8:55 10:31 12:31 2:11 — — 3:51 4:11 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:23 6:45 7:31 8:15 10:35

4:30 4:52 5:14 5:36 5:58 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 8:09 9:00 10:36 12:36 2:16 3:10 3:34 3:56 4:16 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:28 6:50 7:36 8:20 10:40

4:36 4:58 5:20 5:42 6:04 6:26 6:48 7:10 7:32 8:15 9:06 10:42 12:42 2:22 3:16 3:40 4:02 4:22 4:44 5:06 5:28 5:50 6:12 6:34 6:56 7:42 8:26 10:46

4:47 5:09 5:31 5:53 6:15 6:37 6:59 7:21 7:43 8:26 9:17 10:53 12:53 2:33 3:27 3:51 4:13 4:33 4:55 5:17 5:39 6:01 6:23 6:45 7:07 7:53 8:37 10:57

4:52 5:14 5:36 5:58 6:20 6:42 7:04 7:26 7:48 8:31 9:22 10:58 12:58 2:38 3:32 3:56 4:18 4:38 5:00 5:22 5:44 6:06 6:28 6:50 7:12 7:58 8:42 11:02

Monday - Friday lunes - viernes

READDOWN

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5302 5304 5306 5308 5910 5912 5914 5916 5918 5920 5922 5924 5926 5928 5332 5334 5936 5938 5940 5942 5944 5946 5948 5950 5952 5954 5956 5958 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

STATIONestaciones

Green Line ArrivesTrinity MillsHebronOld TownHV/LLMedParkDDTC

Friday NightVi er nes par l a noche

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-train20

TRANSIT FARE STRUCTUREEffective January 14, 2013

DCTA fares and passes may be purchased online, at ticket vending machines

located at all A-train station platforms, or at one of the ticket outlets listed below.

• Downtown Denton Transit Center, 604 E. Hickory St., Denton, TX 76210

• TWU Student Union, 304 Administration Dr., Ste. 209, Denton, TX 76204

• Lewisville City Hall, 151 W. Church St., Lewisville, TX 75057

• Highland Village City Hall, 1000 Highland Village Rd., Highland Village, TX 75077

Ticket vending machines and some ticket outlets do not sell all fare types.

LOCAL SYSTEMLocal System Passes allow a passenger to travel on DCTA services;

Connect, Connect RSVP, UNT Shuttle and the A-train.

Local System 2 Hour Pass $3.00

Local System 2 Hour Pass Reduced* $1.25

Local System Day Pass $6.00

Local System Day Pass Reduced* $2.50

Local System 7-Day Pass $25.00

Local System Monthly Pass $90.00

Local System Monthly Pass Reduced* $40.00

Local System Annual Pass $650.00

Summer Youth Pass $30.00

CONNECT ONLYConnect Passes can be purchased to travel on Connect local bus routes

in Denton and Lewisville.

Connect One-Way $1.50

Connect One-Way Reduced* $0.75

Ten Ride Connect Book $13.00

Monthly/31-Day Connect Pass $45.00

Monthly/31-Day Connect Pass Reduced* $25.00

Annual Connect Pass $450.00

Regional University Student Full Semester Pass $250.00

Regional University Student Summer Semester Pass $160.00

Regional University Student Annual Pass $600.00

Regional University Faculty/Staff Full Semester Pass $340.00

Regional University Faculty/Staff Annual Pass $840.00

NCTC SHUTTLE

NCTC Shuttle serves the North Central Texas College - Corinth and Flower Mound

Campuses with stops in Denton and Lewisville. Passengers can pay the cash fare

upon boarding or show the bus operator their NCTC ID.

NCTC Shuttle One-Way $3.00

NCTC Shuttle One-Way Reduced* $1.50

DEMAND RESPONSE ACCESSAccess is a curb to curb ADA paratransit service for the elderly and disabled in

Denton and Lewisville/Highland Village.

Access One-Way $3.00

Ten Ride Book $30.00

Students, faculty and staff of colleges with physical campuses within Denton County

are eligible to participate in the University Pass Program. Proof of enrollment/employ-

ment is required. Visit the Downtown Denton Transit Center for more details.

Local System University Student

Full Semester Pass $125.00


Summer Semester Pass $80.00


Annual Pass $300.00

Local System University Faculty/Staff

Full Semester Pass $170.00

Local System University Faculty/Staff

Annual Pass $420.00

UNIVERSITY PASS PROGRAM

Sign up for customized DCTA Rider Alerts at RideDCTA.net and receive new information regarding the A-train and other DCTA services.

And don’t forget to follow DCTA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and FourSquare.

STAY INFORMED

RideDCTA.net

REGIONAL SYSTEMRegional Passes provide a passenger complete access to bus and rail

service on DCTA, DART, TRE and The T (except paratransit services).

Regional 2 Hour Pass $5.00

Regional Day Pass $10.00

Regional Day Pass Reduced* $2.50

Regional 7-Day Pass $50.00

Regional Monthly/31-Day Pass $160.00

Regional Monthly/31-Day Pass Reduced* $40.00

Regional Annual Pass $1600.00

Regional Annual Pass Reduced* $480.00

* Reduced Fair = Seniors (65+), disabled, Medicare cardholders and students

(Ages 5-18, students over the age of 14 require a valid high school or DCTA

issued ID).

A-train 21


By Peggy Heinkel-WolfeStaff Writer

Residents and dignitariesmade beelines for seatsin the shade recently as

Denton dedicated a pedestrianbridge for Martin Luther KingJr.

About 75 people attended theformal ceremony dedicating theMartin Luther King Jr.Memorial Pedestrian Bridge tothe slain civil rights leader,which included remarks and aribbon-cutting at the foot of the793-foot-long span.

The unveiling of the plaquethat commemorates MartinLuther King Jr. revealed a sec-ond marker for former DentonCity Council member CharlyeHeggins, who advocated for thenaming.

Heggins died May 29. Herson, James Fonteno, was includ-ed at the podium with officialsfrom the city and Denton

County TransportationAuthority.

Fonteno told the crowd thathe knew his mother had wantedto be at the dedication, and hehad told her not to worry, shewould be represented well. Hesaid he understood his mother’slikely motives for naming thebridge for King.

“When someone comes acrossthe name on this bridge, theywill know there was a great storybehind it,” Fonteno said.His mother often told stories tohim and his brothers to helpthem see more clearly or under-stand things better, he said.

“She was trying to introducethe value of stories to us,”Fonteno said. “Sometimes youcan’t say what you need to say.”

Denton Mayor Pro Tem PeteKamp and DCTA board chair-man Charles Emery both toldthe crowd building the bridge,and naming it for King, took a

long time.In 2008, the bridge was one

of many projects funded fromthe North Texas TollwayAuthority’s $3.3 billion paymentto build and operate StateHighway 121 as a toll road.

About $1.1 million was allo-cated to the bridge to helppedestrians and cyclists safelycross the six lanes of Loop 288near Colorado Boulevard.

Denton had applied for andreceived the toll road grant,pledging about $291,000 inmatching funds.

When construction costscame in higher than expected,the city staff cobbled togethermoney from several othersources, including leftover fundsfrom parks capital improvementprojects, parks gas well revenue,interest earned on capitalimprovement bonds and otherfunds.

The city also used $30,000 it

received from the DentonCrossing development project.

A bridge was torn down whenLoop 288 was widened and theshopping center was built. InMay 2012, the Denton CityCouncil awarded a $1.7 millioncontract to MassanaConstruction to build thebridge, and adopted the resolu-tion naming it.

The mid-June event was cere-monial. The bridge was openedto bike and pedestrian traffic onMay 29.

The bridge is one of the lastelements needed to complete an18-mile trail that follows theDCTA’s A-train rail line fromDenton to Carrollton, all ofwhich was first conceived in2001, Emery said.

PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFEcan be reached at 940-566-6881 and via Twitter at@phwolfeDRC.

Dream comes true as city dedicates pedestrian bridge

A-train22

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A-train 23



Access to real-time travelinformation is inchingcloser and closer to real-

ity for Denton CountyTransportation Authority pas-sengers.

Work has been ongoing overthe past few months withStrategic Mapping to get readyfor the fall debut of the “Where’sMy Ride?” app. The service willpredict the arrival of the nextbus or train at a passenger’sstop through a mobile applica-tion, text message, automatedphone message or through theDCTA website.

“We’re still in the designphase. The app design companyjust finished the vehicle surveysto identify the best design forthe hardware,” said KristinaBrevard, marketing and com-

munications manager.The company will then work

on both the hardware and soft-ware and make sure they canwork together to provide pas-sengers with the necessaryinformation.

“Where’s My Ride?” will uselocation data provided by aglobal positioning devicemounted inside each DCTAConnect bus and A-train railcar. That information will beintegrated with the route, runand destination sign code andwill be transmitted wirelessly toa server.

The server will combine thatinformation with schedules andmap files to predict arrival infor-mation.

Passengers can subscribe tospecific routes through the sys-tem so that alerts can be auto-matically sent based on individ-

ual preferences.Passengers will be able to

access the information using amobile app and a portal onDCTA.net. Also passengers canaccess the information throughSMS text messaging or auto-mated voice recognition. Withtexting, they can text a certainphone number and include thestop ID number, which all stopswill have, and they will get infothrough text. For the automatedvoice recognition passengerscan call a phone number andspeak their stop ID number andthey would get information forthe next bus at that particularstop.

The project cost for the app isabout $940,000. Much of thefunding for the project is com-ing from federal funds, includ-ing the American ReinvestmentRecovery Act and a local match

from sales tax revenue.In addition to the “Where’s

My Ride?” system, Brevard saidDCTA is partnering with DARTand the Fort WorthTransportation Authority on theGo Pass, a regional mobile tick-eting application being devel-oped by DART. The Go Passapp will allow passengers topurchase transit passes by smartphone for any of the three tran-sit agencies. The app isexpected to be available in thefall.

“That way they can just useone mobile app that will haveboth mobile ticket and real timeinformation,” Brevard said. “It’sjust one more travel tool for ourpassengers to improve the trans-portation experience.”

BJ LEWIS can be reached at940-566-6875 and via Twitterat @BjlewisDRC.

Fall debut: Mobile apps to offer information at fingertips

A-train24

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The grade crossing collisionrate has fallen nearly every yearsince 1978 with the 2012 gradecrossing collision rates down 7.9percent from 2011. From 1980-2012, the number of gradecrossing collisions on U.S. pas-senger and freight railroads fell82 percent; injuries associatedwith collisions fell 77 percent;and fatalities fell 72 percent.

The improvements, however,are overshadowed by anincrease in deaths last year fromtrespassing, even though theAssociation of AmericanRailroads proclaimed 2012 asthe safest year ever on thenation’s freight railroads.

DCTA has had a handful ofgrade crossing incidents since

From Page 14

Lifesaver starting A-train service twoyears ago, but none that injuredpassengers, says Jarod Varner,DCTA’s vice president of opera-tions.Closer to home, Brevardand other DCTA officials give anumber of Rail Ready presenta-tions at area schools and com-munity centers. The messageextends to all age groups.

“For adults, the heavy focus ismotorist safety at grade cross-ings, as well as trespassing.When it comes to children wefocus on instances of trespass-ing.”

Presentations are customizedto fit the individual needs ofschool groups, driver educationclasses, community audiences,professional drivers, lawenforcement officers and emer-gency responders. Presentationsrange from 15 minutes to 30

minutes and can include a videospecific to the special interest ofthe particular group.

While the public can benefitfrom any of DCTA’s Rail Readyprograms, Operation Lifesaveroffers six things to know aboutlight rail and commuter trainsafety:

1. STAY ALERT.Trains can come from either

direction at any time and can bevery quiet. Around train tracksor in stations, obey all warningsigns and signals and use cau-tion when using headsets or cellphones.

2. WATCH THE OVER-HANG.

Trains are wider than thetracks; never sit on the edge of astation platform.

3. STAND AWAY FROMTHE PLATFORM EDGE.

Pay attention to painted orraised markings at the platformedge, and stay at least three feetfrom the train while it is comingin or out of the station.

4. WHEN ON BOARD,HOLD ON.

Hold on tight to poles orseats, and listen carefully todirections from the train opera-tor or conductor.

5. WATCH YOUR STEP.Be careful getting on and off

the train - there may be a gapbetween the train and platformor steps.

6. DON’T TAKE SHORT-CUTS WITH YOUR LIFE!

Follow directional signs andmarkings that let you knowwhere it is safe to cross thetracks. Crossing the tracks any-where else is illegal.

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A-train 25

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DCTA works with area schools, community groups

Denton CountyT r a n s p o r t a t i o nAuthority services pro-

vide convenience for students,commuters and those just seek-ing an alternative to the oftencongested North Texas high-ways. Recently, communitygroups and educators havebegun to use DCTA services toplan special trips for leisure andeducation.

“We have been using DCTAsince the start of our program,Focus on the Future, a post sec-ondary program for youngadults in the Lewisville schooldistrict,” said Marcia Gackle,who works in post-secondarytransition for LISD. “We reallystarted accessing the bus aboutfour years ago, doing the train-

ing with the students and get-ting them to access public trans-portation so they could, oncethey are finished with LISD,access their community throughshopping, meeting friends andemployment.”

Gackle said Project Search, anew program focusing onteaching students job skills, isready to launch and DCTA serv-ices will play a role in that pro-gram.

“The young adults will takepublic transportation to aninternship that will begin inAugust and continue throughthe school year at the MedicalCenter of Lewisville,” Gacklesaid.

Anywhere from 10 to 12interns will be part of this pro-

gram. Each intern will gothrough three separate internsites. One might be in the cafe-teria, one might be in therecords department and onemight be assisting in stockingpatient rooms. They will rotateon a schedule to be established.

Gackle said this will help givethem vocational skills for careeremployment.

“What this program reallypromotes is not necessarily ajob, but something that pro-motes a lifelong career.”

Gackle said the studentscould potentially access many ofDCTA’s services. Some will beusing Access’ door-to-door pickup services from home or anoth-er job they may have. Some livein Carrollton and The Colony

and will make use of the bus andthe train services to reach thehospital.

“DCTA has been great to workwith for us. They have come anddone talks, showing informationand they have done a lot of workto help our young adults to beable to ride the trains andbuses,” Gackle said.

She has taken students toDenton and down to Carrolltonto teach them they can getaround in their community andbeyond.

Gackle isn’t the only educatorto use DCTA’s services. KristinaBrevard, marketing and com-munications manager for DCTA

See EDUCATION on Page 28

A-train 27

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If you could do something to help controlthe weather, would you do it? A lot ofpeople check the weather every day so

they can plan their days. What they’ll wear,what they’ll do in their free time, how muchtime they want to spend outside. The weath-er, whether we realize it or not, dictatesmany of our decisions every day.

Air quality is a lot like the weather.However, many people don’t pay muchattention to air quality conditions and fore-casts. You can’t see it and you can’t feel it likeyou can feel heat, cold, wind, snow or rain,but air quality conditions affect us in a veryreal way because we breathe it. When it’sgood and clean, it’s good for us. But when it’snot, our health can be negatively affected.

Poor air quality, specifically ozone, is dan-gerous for people who have asthma or respi-ratory problems as they may experienceincreased frequency of asthma attacks and

healthcare needs. Young children may alsobe at risk for developmental problems asso-ciated with ozone exposure.

People without respiratory problems orasthma can also experience health effectsfrom ozone exposure such as coughing,throat irritation, chest tightening, shortnessof breath and pain, burning or discomfortwhen taking a deep breath.

We can’t control the weather, but we cando things to help manage our air quality.Depending on our actions, we can make itbetter or worse.

Driving our personal vehicles has a huge

impact on the quality of our air. On-roadvehicles such as cars, trucks and busesaccount for nearly half of our air qualityproblem. So, the less our vehicles are run-ning, the better.

You can drive your vehicle less by usingother forms of transportation such as masstransit, biking, walking, carpooling or van-pooling. TryParkingIt.com offers a ridesharematching resource for those interested incarpooling or vanpooling. Try Parking Italso allows you to log your alternative com-mute and keep track of the pollution you’repreventing in addition to the money andmiles you’re saving.

When you must drive, you can minimizethe impact your vehicle has by maintaininga consistent driving speed, avoiding quick

See NCTCOG on Page 28

“What will the air qualitybe like today?”

NCTCOG: Tips on improving air quality

A-train28

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said different school groupsfrom Lewisville and Dentonschool districts as well as somesenior groups are looking at thebus and rail.

“Senior groups out of Dentonhave used it to do some socialfield trips, going to Babe’s inCarrollton for lunch. We havehad some school groups fromDenton use the A-train for tripsto the Perot Museum in Dallas.”

Brevard said the agency hasbeen contacted by some sum-mer camps interested in incor-porating transit into their fieldtrips.

“We like to work with thesespecial groups and help themplan their trip and even providethem with the bulk fair pricing,

From Page 26

Education that way they have a reducedfair cost while traveling withDCTA.”

Brevard said when they havetheir regular meetings withschool officials, they mentionhow great DCTA can be for theschools.

Officials are beginning topick up on that, she said.

“I believe now it’s becomeword of mouth in the schoolsthat DCTA provides a viableoption instead of them rentinga school bus to go to Denton orDallas,” she said.

“We’re part of the regionaltransportation net work. We arehere and they can call us and wecan help them incorporate itinto their field trip plans,”Brevard said.


accelerations and hard braking,reducing idling, combiningtrips, keeping your tire pressureat the correct level and ensuringyour vehicle maintenance is upto date.

Other ways to minimize driv-ing include working fromhome, taking your lunch towork, carpooling to lunch andholding conference calls insteadof on-site meetings.

These are just a few examplesof the things you can do toinfluence our air quality. Eventhings like conserving waterand conserving electricityimpact our air, so little thingslike turning off lights, unplug-ging electronics, switching tocompact fluorescent light bulbs

From

NCTCOG and pursuing energy efficienthome improvement projectsmake a big difference.

Air North Texas, the region’sclean air campaign and com-prehensive air quality resource,offers even more ideas aboutways North Texans can helpimprove air quality. Visitwww.airnorthtexas.org to learnmore about air quality and whatyou can do to help all of NorthTexas breathe clean.

Air North Texas also offersinformation on current airquality conditions and allowsyou to sign up for Air PollutionAction Day Alerts so you’llalways know when to take extrameasures to protect your healthand improve the air. What canyou start doing today to helpimprove the air quality in NorthTexas?

A-train 29G5

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Upcoming events for the region DentonAUGUST:North Texas Fair and RodeoAug. 16-24Location: North TexasFairgroundsOur 85th annual world champi-onship rodeo will have music,carnival rides and games, fid-dling contest, petting zoos andbarbecue cook-offs.SEPTEMBER:Arts, Antiques & AutosExtravaganzaSept. 14Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Location: Downtown SquareHot rods, classic and customcars lining the square, antiqueappraisals and dealers, juried

art show and strolling enter-tainment.Blues FestSept. 21-22Time: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. each dayLocation: Quaker Town ParkNOVEMBER:Beaujolais & More Wine andFood TastingNov. 21Time: 5:30 p.m.Location: Denton Civic CenterEnjoy Beaujolais Nouveaushipped directly from Franceand sample cuisine from vari-ous local restaurants.One O’Clock Lab Band FallConcertNov. 26

See EVENTS on Page 30

A-train30

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Time: 8 p.m.Location: University of NorthTexas, Winspear Hall, UNTMurchison Performing ArtsCenterJoin them for our 53rd annualOne O’Clock Lab Band’s Fallconcert and enjoy some greattunes.DECEMBER:Holiday Lighting Festival ofDentonDec. 6Time: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.Location: Downtown SquareThe festivities at our 25th annu-al Holiday Lighting Festival willstart at 5:45 p.m. on theCourthouse Square. Eventsinclude: Lighting of Christmas

Tree on Historic CourthouseLawn, visits with Santa, a chil-dren’s arts and crafts area,Wassail Fest and live music bylocal musicians.Reindeer RompDecember 2013 (date to bedetermined)Time: 7-8:30 p.m. (check-instarts at 6:30 p.m.)Location: South Lakes ParkRun the 4.2-mile run or walkthe 2.5-mile family walk,through Denton neighborhoodsdecorated for the holidays.LewisvilleWestern Days FestivalSept. 27-28Location: Old Town LewisvilleThe Western Days Festival isdesigned to showcaseLewisville’s rich history, and

See EVENTS on Page 31

From

Events

A-train 31

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includes live music, arts andcrafts vendors, gunfight re-enactments, trick ropers, carshow, KidZone, TailwaggersRanch pet zone, StickhorseRodeo for kids, and the annualWorld Tamale EatingChampionship. Holiday at the HallDec. 7Location: Old Town Lewisville Kick off the holiday season atLewisville’s award winningHoliday at the Hall festival withan assortment of free familyevents and activities. Festival activities include: visitswith Santa Claus, MotorcycleToy Run, three stages of enter-

tainment, Breakfast with Santaand the Old Town HolidayStroll.

CarrolltonFestival at the SwitchyardNov. 2Location: Downtown CarroltonThis free festival features deli-cious food from many differentvendors, unique shopping inHistoric Downtown Carrollton,games and rides (such asbungee trampolines, zip line,bounce houses, zero gravityinflatable, photo booth, swing-ing pirate ship, model trainexhibit, rock climbing, andmore), arts and crafts, greatvendors and a free concertsthroughout the day, ending wellknown headliners.

From

Events

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