Duke Ellington and his Orchestra may have made taking the A-train famous, but a special partnership in Denton County brought it home to North Texas.
In 2001, the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) was created in accordance with House Bill 3323, under Chapter 460 of the Texas Transportation Code, approved by the 77th Texas Legislature and signed into law by the Governor. On November 5, 2002, voters in Denton County approved the confirmation of the DCTA by an overwhelming 73 percent, and funded it in 2003 with a dedicated half-cent sales tax from the cities of Denton, Lewisville and Highland Village.
A study conducted in 2004 and 2005 included extensive community and citizen involvement and identified a proposed commuter rail line as the best and most cost-effective mobility solution for Denton County and the region. Construction began in 2005 on a rail alignment on the east side of I-35E using an existing railroad corridor.
The A-train was opened on June 20, 2011, with celebrations at five train stations. Powered by a diesel-electric hybrid, the A-train is a 21-mile commuter railroad connecting Denton County to Dallas County through a connection to DART at Trinity Mills. Spurring transit-oriented real estate development, the A-train has expanded regional mobility options and increased economic development opportunities in North Texas.