North Texas Daily

Kate Baroni | Staff Writer

New changes to the Denton County Transit Authority bus routes went into effect May 15, according to a DCTA press release. These are the largest changes made to the bus routes since 2006, the year DCTA took over from the LINK bus system.

“These extensive service changes are intended to better meet the needs of transit riders in Denton,” DCTA President Jim Cline said in the press release. “Denton passengers can look forward to increased peak-period frequency, additional frequency in high-traffic areas and better connectivity between Denton Connect routes and A-train.”

Peak-period frequency refers to weekday service hours that experience a high number of passengers.

The changes were made as the result of a Comprehensive Operational Analysis done in March of last year. The COA was conducted to determine how DCTA could better serve the community.

“A majority of our Denton Connect Routes operated on a 40-minute frequency all day,” DCTA Communications Manager Adrienne Hamilton said. “With the new services changes, riders will be able to experience more frequent bus service now in 30-minute peak and 60-minute off-peak frequencies.”

The Denton County Transit Authority posted a graphic of the old and new routes for Denton connect buses on their website back in February. Courtesy | DCTA

Hamilton mentioned that University of North Texas students should see “an improved passenger experience” due to increased frequency and “better connectivity.”

Routes 1-9 have all experienced some level of change, varying in degree. Some routes have been renamed, while others were removed altogether. On the FAQ page of their website, DCTA lays out the specific changes being made to each route.

The changes made to Routes 7 and 8 pertain to UNT’s campus the most. Route 7 will serve Rayzor Ranch and Mesa along Bonnie Brae Street, as well as provide service to the UNT campus. Route 8 will no longer serve Eagle Drive or the area around the community service complex (previously Sack ‘N Save), however, it will provide service to the UNT campus.

During peak hours of travel, which are 6:30-9:30 a.m. and 3-7 p.m., there will be a bus from Routes 7 and 8 departing every 15 minutes for the UNT campus.

Route 4 saw the most change. This route now acts as a connector along the north and east sides of Denton. The stops on University Drive from Ruddell Street to Nottingham Drive have been removed, but service to the Denton County Administrative Complex, Department of Public Safety Office, Medical City Denton, Rayzor Ranch, and Unicorn Lake have been added.

This route will not serve the Downtown Denton Transit Center, but will offer transfer opportunities to other Denton Connect routes.

Route 3 will no longer stop on Morse Street and Denton County Offices. The loops around Cardinal Drive and Oriole Lane will also now be served on both inbound and outbound trips.

Route 5 will now travel north on Bell Avenue to Coronado Drive to Locust Street, and will no longer serve Windsor Drive west of Bell, Fallmeadow Street or Gardenview Circle. Service to Evers Park and the North Branch Library will be provided along Locust Street.

Route 6 will no longer service the west side of Texas Woman’s University along Oakland Street, Locust and Elm Streets. It will now follow Bell Avenue from the Downtown Denton Transit Center to Windsor Street and serve western parts of the previous Route 5. Evers Park and the North Branch Library are served along Windsor.

Route 9 is no longer in service. These passengers can now ride on either Route 7 or 8 instead.

Featured Image: On Hickory Street heading east from the UNT campus, a notice sign is posted on an outdated bus route stop for Route 9. Route 9 has been removed completely from the DCTA Denton Connect bus system following major changes that began May 15. DCTA will no longer service Hickory Street between Bonnie Brae Street and Carroll Boulevard, but updated Routes 7 and 8 will still service campus and surrounding areas. Katie Jenkins