DCTA amends access policy to create two service zones

The Denton County Transportation Authority’s (DCTA) board of directors recently approved changes to the authority’s access policy.

DCTA created two demand response service zones that will focus on localized demand-response/paratransit service within the city limits of Lewisville and Highland Village and a second zone within the city limits of Denton. The new policy takes effect Oct. 1. The new policy eliminates the ability for access customers to take trips between the two zones.

“DCTA notified demand response customers of the potential changes, and for those people affected by it, the authority is working to transition them to use other services,” said Dee Leggett, spokeswoman for the DCTA. “We have done our best to inform people of the upcoming changes so this wouldn’t be a surprise.”

The new policy does not impact the eligibility of any of DCTA’s access customers and does not impact the service provided in accordance with the American’s with Disability Act. According to Leggett, 30 passengers were adversely affected by the board’s decision. DCTA cited rising costs of the provision of demand response service and the reduction in sales tax and contract revenues as its reasons for changing the policy.

“DCTA is committed to meeting the needs of its passengers and providing transportation alternatives in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. By refocusing the service on short-distance trips within the two zones, DCTA will be able to provide more trips to more customers with its existing financial resources” said Jim Witt, DCTA chief executive officer. “One of our greatest challenges as a public agency is balancing our resources with demand.”

DCTA access offers curb to curb ADA Paratransit service in Denton and Lewisville and demand-response (non-ADA) service in Lewisville, Highland Village and Denton for the disabled and elderly (65 years and older) patrons. ADA Paratransit service is provided within three-quarters of a mile on either side of the bus service local fixed routes in Lewisville and Denton. All other trips within the service area are classified as non-ADA. Non-ADA demand response trips are provided on a first-come first-served basis and are subject to capacity constraints.

DCTA serves slightly over 1,000 access passengers and provides approximately 3,000 access trips per month, according to the latest data available to DCTA. Access accounts for 2 percent of DCTA’s annual ridership and 20 percent of its annual bus operating budget.

From the time DCTA assumed the provision of Denton, Lewisville and Highland Village services, the demand-response service exceeded what was outlined in the service plan due to commitments to honor contracts that were in place between the city of Lewisville and surrounding municipalities. DCTA no longer provides contracted services to non-member cities as of March 15. That decision allowed DCTA an opportunity to operate access service at the level outlined in the service plan, which states “The demand response service is made up of two zones. Each zone will be served by up to three vans and will operate within the corporate city limits of the cities in the service area.” The service plan was adopted and funded by the voters of Lewisville, Highland Village and Denton in 2003.

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