If you’re in Northeast Texas and need a reliable way to get around, the Ark-Tex Council of Government’s Rural Public Transit District (ATCOG RTD) has got you covered! Since 1989, this service has been providing the rural communities of Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River, and Titus counties with accessible and affordable transportation options. ATCOG RTD is a dedicated rural public transit provider funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It ensures residents in these areas have access to critical transportation services.
Regional Information
TRAX can only transport to locations within the regions of service listed below:
Region 1: Bowie & Cass Counties
Region 2: Titus, Morris, & Franklin Counties
Region 3: Red River, Lamar, & Delta Counties
Region 4: Hopkins & Franklin Counties
Note: Franklin County falls within Region 2 and Region 4 transportation areas.
People living in Region 2 may only be transported outside of the region to go to UT Health Pittsburg in Pittsburg, Texas.
Make a Reservation
Reservation Hours & Information
- Option 1: Reservations/Appointments
- Option 2: Cancellations (Voicemail Only)
- Option 3: Paris Metro
- Reservations accepted Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance
- Rides must be booked at least 24-hours in advance
- Call for questions, to schedule a ride, or to sign-up for transportation
We Need the Following When You Call:
- Your first and last name
- Pickup address
- Date and time of your trip
- Your destination address
- If you will be using a wheelchair (or other mobility devices)
- If you will be traveling with a personal care attendant
- If you will have a child with you that requires a car seat
- If you will be accompanied by a service animal.
Holiday Information
Service is not offered on the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King. Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Good Friday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Friday following Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
In addition to these days, TRAX may limit service on days before or after a major holiday, as well as days reserved for quarterly safety meetings. Notice is given in advance on busses, phone lines, and our IVR system.
Location & Destination Safety Information
- Service may be refused if either the pickup location or the destination location does not provide safe passage for the vehicle or safe access to or from the vehicle by the passenger.
- When conditions at a passenger’s home exist that may hinder safe transportation (i.e., ice, snow, high water in walkway or driveway, thick mud, etc.), service may be denied.
- Service may be denied if there is evidence of harmful or potentially harmful pests or insects (ants, bed bugs, roaches, fleas, etc.) which can be easily transferred to other passengers or operators.
Cancellations/No-Shows
A trip is considered a no show if a passenger fails to give notice of a cancellation six hours before the scheduled trip or if the passenger does not board within five minutes of bus arrival.
- The cancellation line is available 24/7.
- Cancellations need to be made at a minimum of 6 hours in advance, unless there is a circumstance beyond passenger control.
- Same day cancellations may result in a no-show.
- A passenger with 3 or more no-shows in a 30-day period will be suspended from all TRAX service for 14 business days and will be charged a $2.00 (per no show) fee that is to be paid before ride can be resumed.
Please be advised if a client is recorded as a no-show, all other trips for that day will also be cancelled. If TRAX transports a client to a location and the return trip results in a no show, TRAX will still attempt to transport the client home and only home. All other trips for the day will be cancelled. Clients are responsible for contacting TRAX to request an extension (based upon availability) on their trips if they are going to take longer than anticipated. Not doing so will result in a no-show.
Phone Etiquette
Clients are asked to refrain from using foul language or yelling on phones with office personnel. If a client has done any of the above, the reservationist will give a warning by informing if the behavior continues the call will be disconnected. If the behavior continues, the reservationist will repeat the phrase “Due to this behavior, I am now disconnecting the line”. A Client Incident Form will be filled out and turned into the acting supervisor.
- All threats to office personnel or operators will result in an immediate suspension of services pending investigation from supervisors.
- All calls are monitored and recorded.
- TRAX reserves the right to give suspensions for any violation of the policies and procedures above.
Accessibility and Special Accommodations
At TRAX, we’re committed to making transportation accessible for everyone. All our vehicles are ADA-compliant and equipped with wheelchair lifts—just let us know if you’ll need one when you schedule your trip.
If you need a reasonable modification to use the service, here’s what to do:
- Describe your needs. Let us know what modifications would help you.
- Plan ahead. Request modifications in advance—whether during the eligibility process, through customer service, or via our complaint process.
- On-the-spot adjustments. If an advance request isn’t possible, TRAX staff will do their best to accommodate your needs when you ask.
ABOUT MOBILITY DEVICES:
- All passengers who board the vehicle in wheelchairs or other mobility devices that are similar may ride in the wheelchair securement location or elect to move unassisted to a passenger seat.
- Operators will utilize the available securement devices to ensure the wheelchair remains in place throughout the ride.
- Seats at the front of the buses are reserved for individuals with disabilities. You may be asked to move if you are seated in one of these seats when an individual with disabilities boards the bus.
Transit Fares
- All fares must be paid to operator upon boarding the vehicle.
- Passengers are responsible for paying with correct change.
- Operators are not able to make change.
- Multiple operators may carry out the same trips.
- Return trips cannot be paid in advance
- $1.00 for the first ten miles
- $1.00 for each ten miles (or a portion thereof) after:
- 0-10 Miles $1.00
- 11-20 Miles $2.00
- 21-30 Miles $3.00
- 31-40 Miles $4.00
- 41-50 Miles $5.00
- 51-60 Miles $6.00
- 61-70 Miles $7.00
- 71-80 Miles $8.00
- 81-90 Miles $9.00
- 91-100 Miles $10.00
Free Transportation for seniors
Passengers aged 60 and over, ride free of charge after approval from the Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging (AAA).* An application will be offered when a passenger is setup as a client, or after the passenger has turned 60 years of age. Passengers may request an application if one is not offered to them.
Seniors can use TRAX for all of their transportation needs, including services like scheduling doctor’s appointments, handling work obligations, paying bills, visiting the pharmacy, managing banking tasks, shopping for essentials, running grocery errands, and booking beauty appointments.
If you need help contacting a community resource, our Regional Resource list may help you. You can also contact the Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging for help finding the support you need. Just remember, TRAX is available to provide your transportation.
*The AAA can help pay for non-emergency demand response transportation to a program participant that is 60 years of age or older; or an informal caregiver authorized to receive transportation service in accordance with the Older Americans Act (OAA).
Passenger Guidelines
Riding Policies & Procedures
- Seatbelts must be always worn.
- Remain seated until the operator comes to a complete stop.
- Do not disturb the operator and/or the other passengers. Speak in a quiet voice and avoid using foul language.
- Harassment of any kind is not tolerated.
- No food or drink allowed.
- No drug, alcohol, or tobacco/vape products allowed.
- Unlawful carrying of a weapon is prohibited.
- Defective passenger equipment will result in a denial.
- Passengers should expect to ride with other passengers while on the bus.
- Passengers must have appropriate dress and good hygiene on the bus.
- Any pet/animal should be in a standard pet carrier unless it’s a service animal.
- No littering or vandalization.
- Do not place feet or dirty objects on the seats.
- No spitting in or out of vehicle.
- No hazardous or flammable materials allowed on the bus.
- If a child is age 15 or under, they must be accompanied by an adult.
- All passengers must wear a shirt, pants, and shoes to be permitted onto the bus.
- All children that are required to be in a car seat must be properly secured. The client is to provide their own car seat and must secure both the child and the car seat in themselves. TRAX does not provide car seats.
Transporting Items on the Bus
BAGGAGE ALLOWED:
- 7 grocery bags, or 3 TRAX issued bags
- Baggage must be stored under the passenger’s seat or on the passenger’s lap without protruding onto another passenger’s seat or otherwise interfering with other passengers
BAGGAGE NOT ALLOWED:
- Excessive, bulky, dangerous, or offensive articles that may cause harm or discomfort to another passenger.
Baggage may not be left on the bus unattended.
BAGGAGE VIOLOATIONS:
- First Violation: Warning
- Second Violation: Supervisor comes and speaks to passenger and transports them home.
- Third Violation: Passenger is informed TRAX is no longer transporting them home. Transportation will be suspended for 14 business days.
Trip Companions
Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
A Personal Care Attendant (PCA) is someone who rides with passengers to assist them with their medical needs. TRAX allows PCAs to accompany a passenger at no additional charge when such an attendant is required to utilize our services.
PCAs are required to specifically assist the passenger. If they do not perform some type of assistance for the passenger, they must reserve their own trip for the same dates/times. Companions and other passengers are not able to be added to a client’s trips.
Children
- Any child over the age of 15 must have their own trip and may ride without an adult.
- Any child 15 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult. These children may ride for free and may be added onto an adult rider’s trip.
- Children 5 years of age and under must ride in an appropriate car seat or infant carrier which must be provided by the accompanying adult.
Service Animals
Service animals may accompany their owner without restraint. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 2020, a service animal is, “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with disability, the tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the persons disability.”
Comfort or therapy animals which are used solely to provide emotional support are generally not considered service animals under the ADA.
Passengers must maintain control of his/her service animal. If a service animal is out of control, and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if the dog is not house broken, that dog will be excluded from riding the bus. Please inform TRAX if a service animal will be traveling with you when you make your reservation.
Pets
Pets are allowed on the bus only if they are properly secured in an enclosed carrier.
TRAX Rider Guide
The TRAX Rider Guide covers all of the topics on this website, including scheduling your trip, fares, cancellation policies, passenger guidelines, and more. Feel free to download and print a copy of the document for quick reference at home.
You may contact our office if you have any questions, concerns, or would like more information on the services we provide.
CONTACT TRAX
- ADDRESS: 4808 Elizabeth St. Texarkana TX 75503
- PHONE: 903-832-8636
- OFFICE HOURS
- Monday-Friday
- 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.