A-train
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A-train (Denton County Transportation Authority)
 A-train
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| Overview | |
| Type | Commuter rail |
| System | Denton County Transportation Authority |
| Locale | Denton County, Texas |
| Termini | Downtown Denton Transit Center Trinity Mills Station |
| Stations | 6 |
| Daily ridership | 1,500[1] |
| Website | www.mya-train.com |
| Operation | |
| Opened | June 20, 2011 |
| Owner | Denton County Transportation Authority |
| Operator(s) | Denton County Transportation Authority |
| Rolling stock | 11 Stadler GTW 2/6 Budd Rail Diesel Car (temporary) |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) |
The A-train is a 21 miles (34 km) commuter rail line in Denton County, Texas, United States that parallels Interstate 35E and acts as an extension with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Green Line at Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton. It is operated by the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) and serves Denton County. It opened June 20, 2011. [2]
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Contents
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History
A formal Alternatives Analysis study conducted in 2004-2005, which included extensive community and citizen involvement, identified the proposed rail line as the best and most cost-effective mobility solution for Denton County and the region. It cited the impacts of projected population growth, growing safety, traffic congestion and air quality concerns, as well as the need to improve access to Denton County’s vital health care facilities and three major college and university campuses.
In May 2005, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the study’s recommendation to construct the rail alignment on east side of I-35E using an existing railroad corridor. DCTA is working closely with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to accommodate all necessary Federal and local regulatory requirements. In March 2008, the DCTA Board of Directors approved the Final Environmental Impact Determination which details proposed measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of the rail project. In August 2008, the Regional Transportation Council approved funding of this project. Because of this, federal funds were not used in the construction of the train.[3]
On 4 April 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 train was opened on 20 June 2011 with celebrations at five train stations. [6]
Stations
Downtown Denton Transit Center
Main article: Downtown Denton Transit Center
Located in downtown Denton, this station is bordered by Hickory and Sycamore streets (north to south) and Bell and Railroad avenues (west to east).[7] The DCTA held a ground breaking ceremony for this station on March 22, 2010.[8]
Medpark Station
Main article: Medpark Station
Located in south Denton, serving the Denton Regional Medical Center and nearby medical offices. Land for this station was purchased from the Medical Center on December 16, 2008 for $3.2 million.[9]
Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station
Main article: Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station
Located in north Lewisville near Garden Ridge Road, serving the Lewisville Lake and Highland Village area.
Old Town Station
Main article: Old Town Station
Located near the Old Town district of Lewisville (its downtown area),
Hebron Station
Main article: Hebron Station
Located in south Lewisville near Hebron Parkway; this station serves several apartment complexes and warehouses as well as Lewisville's main retail district including Vista Ridge Mall. Ground was broken on this station in a ceremony held March 27, 2009.[10]
Trinity Mills Station
Main article: Trinity Mills Station
The Trinity Mills Station, part of the DART Green Line, is the southern terminus of the A-Train.
Ridership
Figures collected by the American Public Transportation Association show that 1,500 people rode the A-train on an average weekday in the third quarter of 2011.[1]
Rolling stock
The A-Train is currently operated using 10 Budd RDCs leased from Trinity Rail Express. These have been obtained for use until DCTA's own purpose built fleet is delivered.
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Budd Rail Diesel Car |  |
Diesel Multiple Unit | 75 | 120 | 10 | Denton-Carrollton | 1949-62 |
Future fleet
DCTA has placed an order for 11 Stadler GTW 2/6 DMUs. The full order will be delivered by August 2012 and in September 2012, a fleet transition will replace the Budd DMUs.[11]As of October 2011, some of the Stadler trains have been delivered and have begun testing.[12]
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Stadler GTW 2/6 | Diesel Multiple Unit | 75 | 120 | 11 | Denton-Carrollton | 2010-2012 | |
References
- ^ a b American Public Transportation Association: Q3 2011 ridership report
- ^ Peterson, Matt (June 20, 2011). "A-train railway begins rolling, carrying commuters from Denton to Carrollton". The Dallas Morning News. http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/a-train-railway-begins-rolling.html. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
- ^ http://www.mya-train.com/about-the-a-train/faqs/140-is-the-federal-transit-administration-involved-in-the-project
- ^ "DCTA to begin testing signal, communications equipment on A-train corridor". Progressive Railroading. 4 April 2011. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xjDMtH6W. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- ^ "Denton – Dallas A-Train services to start in June". Railway Gazette International. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yuGY7GAk. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ^ http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/jun/20/train-stations-celebrate-opening-train/
- ^ "Denton to hold public meeting about downtown transit center". Pegasus News. December 5, 2008. http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2008/dec/05/denton-hold-public-meeting-about-downtown-transit-/. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
- ^ The Denton County Transportation Authority breaks ground on the Downtown Denton Transit Center, March 22, 2010, http://mya-train.com/media-room/press-releases/248-the-city-of-denton-and-the-denton-county-transportation-authority-dcta-joint-groundbreaker-on-the-downtown-denton-transit-center-and-dcta-a-train-downtown-station
- ^ DCTA Purchases Site From Denton Regional Medical Center To Serve As Medpark Station, December 16, 2008, http://www.mya-train.com/media-room/press-releases/146-dcta-purchases-site-from-denton-regional-medical-center-to-serve-as-medpark-station-press-release
- ^ DCTA to break ground on Hebron A-train station, 2009-03-24, http://www.mya-train.com/media-room/press-releases/152-dcta-to-break-ground-on-hebron-a-train-station-press-release
- ^ 11 DMUs ordered from Stadler, July 27, 2010, http://www.mya-train.com/about-the-a-train/vehicles
- ^ BJ Lewis (21 August 2011). "New rail cars in testing phase". Denton Record-Chronicle. http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_Rail_Cars_0821.e5c8cf00.html. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
External links
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