The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) Board of Directors announced that First Transit has been awarded the contract to operate and maintain the A-train commuter rail service.
The agreement, which covers a period of nine years with an additional five-year option, will go into effect October 1st, and is valued at approximately $9-million per year.
First Transit, a division of United Kingdom-based FirstGroup, already has a strong presence in the area through a transit management contract with DCTA. The Group’s First Student division operates buses in Lewisville, and the Greyhound division is headquartered in nearby Dallas.
“We are very pleased that the Denton County Transit Authority has awarded us the contract for A-train service; our first rail contract in North America. This contract for A-train service represents an exciting new development for the group and we welcome the opportunity to develop and share our rail expertise with a progressive partner such as the Denton County Transportation Authority,” said Tim O’Toole, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer.
The A-train is a 21-mile regional rail system connecting Denton and Dallas Counties. DCTA has five A-train stations in Denton County; two in Denton and three in Lewisville.
“We’re excited to extend our partnership with First Transit to our A-train rail operations and maintenance. First Transit’s innovative solutions in rail infrastructure maintenance will enable us to provide enhanced rail services for the many communities we serve,” said Jim Cline, DCTA President.
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