Studying Transit Options in Collin County

Collin County transportation study asks for public input

A series of public meetings in Collin County is taking questions and suggestions this week on transit options in the county.

The North Central Texas Council of Government is looking for input on how to expand public transit in the booming area.

"We're here today to figure out where people want to go," said Jessie Huddleston, principal transportation planner. "The options currently -- I think there's room for improvement."

The population is exploding in Collin County, but many say transit options are not growing at the same pace.

Earlier this month, the Outer Loop Road project opened its first segment connecting US Route 75 and State Highway 121 between Anna and Melissa.

"If you're going east or west or southeast, it'll make a big difference," said Anna resident Richard Wycoff.

But the developing area has few options if you don't want to drive, Wycoff and his wife say.

"If we go to the zoo or the symphony, we always take the DART," Wycoff said. "We'd like to have a DART station up here."

Residents from towns such as Allen, Fairview and Celina attended a meeting in Frisco on Tuesday afternoon. They said their main priorities include accessibility for disabled and elderly people as well as asking about the potential to expand the Dallas Area Rapid Transit rail system north.

Some said while there are more people concentrated in the area, options for transit are extremely limited.

City leaders and employers said that public transit could be essential to bringing in more employees.

Plano will host another meeting on Wednesday evening.

The transit study began in August and focuses on what projects can best benefit Collin County over the next three to five years.

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