Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) Improves On Time Performance by 15% Through Innovative Transit Solution

Spare is delighted to announce a significant milestone in our collaboration with Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA). On January 9th, 2024, we successfully launched the Access and Frisco Demand Response services, marking a noteworthy advancement in Microtransit and Paratransit solutions in Texas.

The program encompasses ADA Paratransit and non-ADA services in Denton, Lewisville, and Highland Village, alongside Microtransit services in Frisco, serving about 550,000 residents in total. It also includes Collin County Rides, a specialized transit service that DCTA has taken over from Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) on February 1, 2024. This on-demand service offers tailored trips to an additional 350 residents aged 65 and up, or with qualifying disabilities in Allen and Fairview. Not only does this expand DCTA's operational footprint, but it also signifies a proactive effort to consolidate transit services, showcasing DCTA's adaptability and responsiveness to the evolving needs of Texans through their cohesive and unified approach to transit.

DCTA’s partnership with Spare involves the implementation of Open Fleets with a Lyft integration. Lyft's role goes beyond conventional ride-sharing; it serves as an integral component in providing urgent and essential transportation solutions in Frisco, ensuring a swift and responsive system during critical situations. As DCTA acquires Collin County Rides from DART, Open Fleets also serves as a sustainable and convenient solution to managing high rider demand without the need to increase dedicated vehicle counts and costs. Within the first month of launching, DCTA achieved a 15% increase in On Time Performance (OTP) as a result of the implementation.

To ensure a smooth roll-out of this new and advanced service, Spare provided in-person support during critical phases, on-site training for drivers and operators, and fostered a deep understanding of the system.

Prior to Spare, DCTA operated on a legacy system which required manually assigning trips. This manual process increased the likelihood of errors, leading to inefficiencies and gaps in service. Spare aims to bring in modern, automated solutions to ensure easier operations for DCTA’s staff. The transition solidifies the agency’s commitment to improving overall service quality, reducing errors, and enhancing the transit experience for riders in Denton County and surrounding areas.

For riders, DCTA’s Access, Frisco Demand Response, and Collin County Rides services bring efficient, reliable, and adaptive transit experiences. The integration of Open Fleets, Lyft, and Spare's modern solutions ensures that riders in Denton County receive improved services that cater to a diverse range of needs.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this launch; kudos to DCTA for embracing innovation and change, and for improving the transit landscape for the communities they serve. The future holds exciting opportunities for DCTA and their most recent launch, with the potential to easily extend the benefits of on-demand services to more communities.

We are proud to partner with DCTA since 2019, and we look forward to further enhancing transit in Texas together.