Denton County, Tex., set for A-Train debut
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefDenton County Transportation Authority officials are ready to formally launch the latest addition to Texas passenger rail service Monday, as DCTA’s “A-Train” completes ceremonial and test runs along its 21-mile route and prepares for scheduled revenue service.
The line, running from Denton to Carrollton’s Trinity Mills Station, connects with Dallas Area Rapid Transit at Carrollton, offering rail access to downtown Dallas, ridership that both DCTA and DART officials expect to materialize. Overall ridership initially is projected to be 4,000 to 5,000 riders per day.
“This is a great time to start A-Train service,” said DCTA Chairman Charles Emery. “It will be an alternative for people who drive the interstate.” Emery says transit-oriented development already is occurring near the route’s five stations. “We’ll see the type of development that DART has seen around their stations,” he said.
The A-Train will commence service with equipment previously operated by the Trinity Railway Express, which links Dallas and Fort Worth. Delivery of 11 new Stadler GTW 2/6 diesel multiple-unit (DMU) cars is scheduled to occur in August. Herzog Transit Services will operate the trains.
