DCTA Ride Along
by Jaz’man Hampton
Public transportation is currently decreasing in Denton County. A group of fellow journalist and I took to the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) to observe and investigate why ridership is on a consistent decline.
In an era of modern technology with applications like Uber and Lyft, which exist to change the definition of public transportation, our professor regarded it important to under why the decline is impacting Denton County. However, for my assignment, we switched it up and I went completely without technology. I placed my phone on airplane mode with a screenshot photo of the routes assigned to me, Route 5 & 6, as my screensavers.
North and East Denton County, the proximity in which route 5 and 6 services, transporting riders from TWU campus areas and beyond.
North Bell street is the main service street for these buses. Bell Street, near downtown, is the music center of Denton. Both buses start the commuter off by traveling past a Golden Chick food chain, Backyard on Bell an entertainment venue, and Denton Public Library North.
Route five services as a great Saturday outing in the summer. The bus travels past several convenience stores, a community waterpark, and a Starbucks on TWU’s campus near the bus stop.
Timeliness with route five isn’t an issue, the driver arrived at every location within or around five minutes of arrival based timing.
A word of help for DCTA would be to add locations to their maps. Knowing where I need to get, and how to being able to get there is always helpful. Having the addition of restaurants, public social spaces like parks and libraries could support in gaining more ridership.
