What you need to know
The transportation authority has agreed to assess taking over the Collin County Rides program after being approached by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, according to the July 27 agenda. The item is for discussion only and will provide an “update on the status of discussions regarding the program.”
Earlier in July, the Regional Transportation Council approved up to $1.8 million for continuing the program in Allen and Fairview after Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s contract for the program is set to expire later this year. The program provides transit services for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Several agreements will have to be approved by the transportation authority and the cities of Allen and Fairview before services expire.Wylie, which is also serviced by the program, is evaluating other options for transit. More than 400 users were registered to the program as of April.
What else
The board is also expected to discuss a transit-oriented development study along a 25-mile segment of the existing Kansas City Southern freight rail line, according to the agenda. The study will include a conceptual master plan for the Old Town A-Train Station in Lewisville and aims to establish a framework for transit-oriented development on the corridor.
The study is being conducted by Kittelson & Associates Inc. and is partially funded by a $600,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration awarded in 2020. The transit authority board provided $150,000 in matching funds for the study, according to an Aug. 25 meeting agenda.
The study area includes Denton, Highland Village and Lewisville. The University of North Texas, Old Town Station and Highland Village are priority areas for transit development to improve mobility and economic development.
