DCTA tells Highland Village CDC it’s boosting rail and trail connections; board asks for local ridership data

DCTA officials told the Highland Village Community Development Corporation on Tuesday evening that regional transit ridership has recovered since the pandemic and that the agency is focusing on integrating the A-train into local trail and development plans to increase use.

The briefing, led by Paul (DCTA CEO), Austin Frith (vice president of planning and development) and Karina Maldonado (planning manager), reviewed recent ridership trends, changes to the GoZone on-demand service, the A-train enhancement program, and DCTA’s rail-trail and wayfinding efforts. Board members repeatedly asked DCTA for Highland Village–specific rider counts and for station- and resident-level metrics to assess local return on the city’s investment.

“The A-train enhancement program … is really trying to create places along the A-train corridor to make it more than just a commuter rail product,” Paul said. “I want to make sure that DCTA's plans are your plans, and your plans are our plans.” Austin Frith said DCTA was established under the Texas Transportation Code and is funded in part by a half-cent sales tax collected from member cities; he added that the agency experienced record ridership in 2024 and is projecting “upwards of almost 300,000 rides for FY25.”

Why it matters: Highland Village contributes local sales-tax revenue to DCTA and has questioned whether the A-train and GoZone services are delivering commensurate value to its residents. The presentation tied ridership figures to planned station-area improvements, trail connections and a longer-range service plan that DCTA said will set forecasts and service goals.

Key facts and figures

- DCTA projects nearly 300,000 A-train rides for fiscal year 2025 (projection shown in DCTA slides). - DCTA describes a 19-mile rail-trail that runs alongside the A-train corridor and provides pedestrian and cyclist counters adjacent to the Highland Village (Lake Lewisville) station. DCTA said the counter data show peak use on Saturdays. - DCTA reported a cumulative TRIP (Transportation Reinvestment Program) balance of about $1,700,000 available to Highland Village for eligible mobility projects; the TRIP allocation is determined by a formula based on net available fund balance and each member city’s share of sales tax collections, Frith said.

Board questions and follow-ups

Multiple Highland Village board members asked for ridership broken down to show how many Highland Village residents use the A-train, GoZone and related services. Frith acknowledged the request and said DCTA can provide more granular metrics by analyzing pass and ridership data. Board members also asked for comparisons with nonmember communities that receive on-demand service (for example, Allen and Fairview were cited during the discussion).

Board members asked why GoZone service had declined; Frith said an August 2024 DCTA board decision shifted some service hours to fixed-route and connect services in Denton to reduce redundancy, which lowered GoZone hours in some areas. Frith tied that change directly to the observed drop in GoZone metrics.

A-train enhancements and Corinth discussion

DCTA described a multi-part A-train enhancement program that includes interim improvements to reduce run time, a planned extension to downtown Carrollton to improve regional connections (including a transfer to the Silver Line and onward service to DFW Airport), and a goal of 15-minute frequencies on the corridor. Frith said DCTA has discussed—but not finalized—potential interest from Corinth to pursue station involvement as a nonmember; he described that as a “potential opportunity” but not a completed plan.

Trails, counters and wayfinding

DCTA highlighted trail counters near the Highland Village station that record pedestrians and cyclists; presenters cautioned those counters measure trail users, not necessarily station riders or Highland Village residents. Frith and Maldonado discussed potential wayfinding signage that could include DCTA branding directing trail users to the station and marketing campaigns to increase awareness. DCTA said it has a new marketing agency on board and suggested promotional campaigns, sponsorships and wayfinding as ways to increase ridership.

What was not decided

No formal votes on DCTA proposals were taken. The board requested Highland Village–specific ridership counts for GoZone and rail, and DCTA agreed to provide station- and resident-focused metrics. DCTA also said a long-range service planning contract had been approved in its budget and consultants would be procured to scope the plan before year-end; that plan will include forecasting and tie into station-area planning.

Votes at a glance

- The CDC approved the minutes from the February 2025 regular meeting by voice vote (mover/second not specified in the transcript). The motion passed with unanimous voice votes recorded as “Aye.”

Ending

DCTA representatives said they will return with additional data and that they plan to work with Highland Village staff and the board on signage, marketing and station-trail linkages. Board members indicated ongoing interest in granular resident counts, safety-focused wayfinding and making the A-train an integrated mobility option for the community.