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Council hears staff recommendation to renew workforce-transit interlocal agreement with DCTA
Summary
City staff briefed the council on continuation of a Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) first-mile/last-mile program that subsidizes rides between regional transit stops and Coppell employers. Staff proposed moving to a three-year contract with optional renewals; council asked about DCTA administrative costs and ridership patterns.
City staff updated the Coppell City Council Sept. 9 on the city’s workforce transit program and recommended continuing the interlocal agreement (ILA) with the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA), which subsidizes first‑mile/last‑mile trips between regional transit stops and Coppell employers.
The program, launched in 2019, pays up to $15 of a subsidized ride after the rider pays the first $2; DCTA bills the city for rides and an administrative fee. Staff reported year‑to‑date city spending through July of about $26,136 — roughly $16,544 on rides and $9,592 in DCTA administrative costs — against a budgeted $50,000. Ridership has remained consistent over recent years and shows increases on the city’s east side, staff said.
Why it matters: The program is a business-attraction and retention tool for employers with nontraditional hours or worker-commute challenges; the city assigns employer codes so rides can be tied to employers. Staff recommended moving from annual one-year renewals to a three-year ILA with options for renewal, so DCTA and staff can evaluate alternatives during that period and add a future stop at the Silver Line’s Cypress Waters station when it opens.
Council members asked whether the program is reaching large employers (initially) or a spread of small employers (more recently); staff said ridership has shifted toward small businesses in recent years. Jim asked why DCTA administrative costs were a large portion of program spending; staff said the administrative lift is substantial and that Coppell is not a DCTA member city, which affects cost allocations. Staff noted the city currently lacks per‑rider unique identifiers (reports show trip counts and employer codes, not individual rider IDs). Officials said encumbered budget funds will cover projected increases when the Silver Line opens.
Next steps: If council wishes to continue, staff will bring the ILA for formal consideration at the Sept. 23 meeting. Council did not take immediate action at the Sept. 9 work session; staff sought direction on term length and renewal options.
