DCTA Carried Nearly 3 Million Passengers in FY 2012

Oct. 29, 2012
The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) presented annual ridership numbers to its board of directors today.

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) presented annual ridership numbers to its board of directors today. Based on an analysis of fiscal year 2012 performance, the agency carried 2,976,271 passengers which is a 17 percent increase over fiscal year 2011. The agency’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

In 2011, DCTA carried approximately 2.5 million passengers, system-wide which had been only a 4 percent increase over 2010. The full implementation of the A-train, improved bus connectivity, and the addition of midday and expanded service on Friday and Saturday nights contributed to the 17 percent increase in 2012.

The A-train carried 411,389 passengers in its first full year of implementation. In fiscal year 2011, the service was only in operation for five months and carried 207,427. With implementation of midday service and extended Friday and Saturday night service this past August, the agency expects to see additional increases in A-train ridership for FY 2013.

“The launch of the A-train, combined with the increased demand for local transit services, yielded another successful year for DCTA,” expressed Jarod Varner, vice president of transit operations.

Connect fixed-route bus service saw an increase of 21 percent in ridership this fiscal year. Denton Connect provided 403,447 passenger trips in 2012, which was 23 percent over the previous year. Lewisville Connect provided 97,095 passenger trips in 2012, an increase of 11 percent over fiscal year 2011.

DCTA also provides fixed-route bus service to the University of North Texas and the North Central Texas College and saw an increase in ridership on both campus shuttle services. The UNT Shuttle carried 2,018,009 passengers, a 7 percent over last year and the NCTC Shuttle which serves the Corinth and Flower Mound campuses carried 14,545 passengers.

Overall, DCTA ridership for the 2012 fiscal year is 17% higher than the fiscal year 2011 and saw an increase on all fixed route service that DCTA provides. System-wide, DCTA carried nearly 3 million passengers compared to 2.5 million passengers in fiscal year 2011. The authority’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

“DCTA continues to seek ways to improve and expand our services to build ridership and support the growing needs of our community,” stated Jim Cline, DCTA president. “The first month of fiscal year 2013 is setting a pace for another record-breaking year.”

In January, DCTA will implement significant improvements to the fixed route bus services in Denton and Lewisville. These changes will provide more frequent and expanded services and improved connections with the A-train.