A-train (Denton County)

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

In May 2005, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the study’s recommendation to construct the rail alignment on east side of I-35E using an existing railroad corridor. The DCTA worked closely with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to meet the Federal and local regulatory requirements. In March 2008, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the Final Environmental Impact Determination that detailed the proposed measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of the rail project and the Regional Transportation Council approved funding of in August 2008. Federal funds were not used in the construction of the rail link.[3]

On April 4, 2011, the DCTA began tests of railcars, communications systems and signals on track between Carrollton and Lewisville Lake, with tests on the remainder of the route projected to begin later in the month,[4] though this date was later pushed back to mid-May.[5]

The A-train was opened on June 20, 2011 with celebrations at five train stations.[6]

First Transit signed an agreement with the DCTA on July 20, 2016, to operate the A-train from October 1, 2016.[7] The contract is for nine years with five additional option years.[7]

Fares are fully integrated with the rest of the DCTA system, with single rides costing $1.50. Two free transit zones exist on the system: between Downtown Denton Transit Center and MedPark, as well as Hebron Station to Trinity Mills.

The A-train operates with 30 minute headways every weekday, with 34 trains round trip per day (and one additional late train each direction on Fridays). Saturday has reduced service with nine trains per direction and long headways. There is no service on Sundays and major holidays. Interchanges with the DART Green Line are irregularly timed.[10]

DCTA placed an order for 11 Stadler GTW 2/6 DMUs in 2010. The first of the new trains were delivered in late 2011 for testing prior to their entry into service.[12] The full order was fulfilled by August 2012, and in September 2012 the new units replaced the Budd DMUs leased from TRE.[13]

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Inventory	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Stadler GTW 2/6		Diesel Multiple Unit	60	100	11	Denton-Carrollton	2010-2012

Past fleet

The A-Train began operations using 10 Budd RDC-1s leased from Trinity Railway Express, which were used until DCTA's own purpose-built fleet was delivered.

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Inventory	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Budd Rail Diesel Car		Diesel Multiple Unit	75	120	10	Denton-Carrollton	1954–58

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• A-Train, DCTA