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    1. Bus

    DCTA Launches New Denton Enterprise Airport On-Demand Pilot Service

    Aug. 27, 2018
    The Denton County Transportation Authority has launched a new on-demand pilot service that will operate in the newly designated Denton Enterprise Airport Zone.
    Related To: Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA)

    Many people now have a new convenient and free mobility option for travel in the area near the Denton Enterprise Airport. The Denton County Transportation Authority has launched a new on-demand pilot service that will operate in the newly designated Denton Enterprise Airport Zone, with a stop at the University of North Texas (UNT) Fouts Field for travel to the designated zone. DCTA is utilizing software from TransLoc – a technology provider of transit solutions – which allows the agency to provide on-demand service for riders to have real-time mobility options and be able to optimize service during the pilot program. The free pilot service will end on January 14, 2019.

    Free and Real-Time Mobility Option for Riders

    Riders can book a trip in the Denton Enterprise Airport Zone in real time via the Microtransit mobile app which can be downloaded from the Apple and Google Play store, online or by phone calling 940.243.0077. The service will operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. DCTA will not operate this pilot service on major holidays.

    Passengers who ride the new on-demand pilot service can also connect to other DCTA services such as Denton Connect Routes 7 and 8, North Texas Xpress (Route 64), and the Mean Green, Eagle Point, and North Texan UNT Campus Shuttle Routes at the UNT Fouts Field transfer point.

    Microtransit service offers real-time flexible routing and scheduling of minibus vehicles. Similar to Uber and Lyft, DCTA-branded vehicles will carry a handful of riders at a time. The driver will have an iPad showing the shortest route to get passengers to their individual destinations. The service is being offered at no charge during the pilot period.

    “This is the first time in agency history for us to offer a real-time, microtransit solution,” said Jim Cline, DCTA president. “Our new Denton Enterprise Airport On-Demand pilot service is a key step in DCTA’s plan to explore new and more cost-effective ways to provide innovative mobility solutions to our passengers.”

    Riders can watch their DCTA-branded vehicle live via the mobile app and online, receive notifications as it approaches and change or cancel their request. Wait times can be reduced for riders by grouping ride requests on similar routes. Booking reoccurring trips is currently not available.

    DCTA plans to roll out a similar on-demand project in the city of Lewisville in January 2019.