Stories by Samuel Stark
Advocates call for free Cap Metro fares for Austin's unhoused
On Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved the implementation of a new system that caps the amount riders pay for fares. Another part of the system provides reduced fares for people with lower incomes, called Equifare. But before…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • Jul 27, 2022
Trouble finding a parking spot on South Congress Avenue? The city is working on it.
Those of us who have braved the journey to find parking on South Congress Avenue during peak hours know it is not for the faint of heart. You might be circling, searching for an open spot for what feels like…
Transportation • By Samuel Stark • Jul 22, 2022
Capital Metro hosts groundbreaking ceremony for its new station outside of Austin FC stadium
On Monday evening, following a compelling rendition by the Austin FC marching band of Camila Cabello’s “Havana” (singing “McKalla, ah la-la” instead of “Havana, ooh na-na”) state and local officials and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority staff participated in a groundbreaking…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • Jul 20, 2022
Capital Metro budget talk raises concerns of a looming recession
A potential recession has many industries feeling wary going into the 2023 financial year, which begins on Oct. 1. At its finance committee meeting Wednesday, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority executives discussed the agency’s budget for the upcoming financial year and…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • Jul 15, 2022
Boost in funding from Biden's infrastructure law propels AUS closer to its goals
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport received an additional $15 million in funds yesterday from President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law to go toward its ambitious airport expansion plan. The airport received $17.3 million from the same pool of funds last year. The…
Transportation • By Samuel Stark • Jul 8, 2022
Capital Metro partners with HEB for back-to-school campaign
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be partnering with HEB and its beneficiary, For the Children, to host school supply drives ahead of the upcoming school year at various HEB stores. Capital Metro will park buses in two HEB parking lots…
Austin • By Samuel Stark • Jul 7, 2022
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City-funded study examines disparities in minority business contracting
A disparity study aimed at examining the effectiveness of Austin’s women and minority business enterprise procurement program found it to be largely successful. But while the program – intended to create more opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms – has had…
City Hall • By Samuel Stark • Jul 1, 2022
Capital Metro announces leader of transit police force
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors has approved Eric Robins, the former chief of police of Sugar Land, Texas, to become the new chief administrator of the Capital Metro transit police. Robins will serve as chief administrator starting…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • Jun 28, 2022
Lawsuit alleges TxDOT's I-35 expansion project is 'clearly violating the law'
Three Texas organizations – Texas Public Interest Research Group, Environment Texas and Rethink35 – have come together to file a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation over its plans to expand Interstate 35. At the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning…
Roads • By Samuel Stark • Jun 27, 2022
Cap Metro deploys 'tricked-out' electric vehicle to help drum up community enthusiasm
MEEP isn’t just the sound made by a popular Muppet; it’s also Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s new portable community engagement vehicle created to involve Austinites in programs like Project Connect, the expansion of Austin’s municipal transit system. The Austin Transit…
Transportation • By Samuel Stark • Jun 24, 2022
Cap Metro courtesy-stop pilot program likely to be codified
After a successful trial run, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority hopes to extend the expanded version of its courtesy stop pilot program, which was started earlier this year. Capital Metro first implemented the initiative to help riders with mobility impairments deboard…
Transit • By Samuel Stark • Jun 17, 2022
Cap Metro makes progress with equitable transit-oriented development project
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority updated the Urban Transportation Commission last Wednesday on the progress it has made on the equitable transit-oriented development project. The eTOD project uses $1.65 million in federally awarded grant money to study ways to reduce gentrification and…
