Texas A-train operator issues RFP for mobility services provider

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for "mobility as a service" (MaaS) and is seeking proposals from firms or contractor teams interested in providing mobility services.

The proposals should address MaaS for the North Texas agency's member cities, contracted communities, partner organizations, large employment centers and other areas as the need arises, according to a DCTA press release.

MaaS is a business model in the transit industry that incorporates on-demand, real-time platform-based services that can include a combination of transport methods such as car and bike sharing, taxis and car rentals/leases. The model aims to provide a seamless customer experience for consumer, from travel planning to payments.

Firms selected by DCTA will be contracted to provide service proposals for flexible, efficient, and effective mobility services. Such services will enhance and supplement DCTA’s existing transit offerings and provide multimodal service to areas where traditional transportation options are less effective, DCTA officials said.

Proposals are due Feb. 26; the award is expected to be announced May 1.

Among other services, DCTA operates the A-train, a 21-mile commuter-rail line connecting Denton and Dallas counties.

To learn more about transit-rail agencies' efforts to provide transportation connections to and from rail stations, read this article in the July 2018 issue of Progressive Railroading.