Transit

Austin unveils how light-rail could change the city in new report with detailed maps

The curtain is finally lifting on Austin’s long-planned light-rail system, as a newly released report from the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) reveals a more detailed vision for the 9.8-mile route. For the first time, Austinites can view block-by-block maps, see specific station…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 13, 2025

CapMetro bringing tap-to-pay to Austin’s buses and trains by March

Hopping on a Capital Metro bus or train should soon be as easy as tapping a credit or debit card. In March, the regional transit agency will part ways with its unreliable QR code-based fare system and switch to tap-to-pay technology.…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jan 10, 2025

Cap Metro to shelve 46 new electric buses for a year after manufacturer bankruptcy

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority will put 46 brand-new electric buses in storage for at least a year, the latest fallout from an electrification goal the transit agency now admits was overly ambitious. The main problem, Capital Metro’s leadership says, has…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Nov 19, 2024

Cap Metro to build second set of train tracks in East Austin

Capital Metro is planning to build a second set of train tracks along the Red Line in East Austin along with new sidewalks, pedestrian crossings and another platform at Plaza Saltillo Station. A second set of tracks – known as…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Oct 30, 2024

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Project Connect trial to resume after Paxton appeal rejected

Editor’s note: The original version of this story contained an error conflating two of AG Ken Paxton’s opinions. The story has now been corrected. A little over a year ago, a group of prominent Austin citizens filed suit against the…

Transit • By Lina Fisher • Oct 16, 2024

Delayed CapMetro Rapid routes to launch next year with slower service and diesel buses

Capital Metro’s newest high-frequency bus routes have been delayed, and now the transit agency says the Expo Center and Pleasant Valley routes will launch next year with reduced frequency and diesel-powered buses instead of the promised electric ones. The delays are pushing back…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Sep 27, 2024

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San Antonio, Travis County and Mexico officials urge Legislature to fund passenger rail next session

Monday morning saw a bevy of local – and international – officials come together on one issue that unites all who must traverse Texas: its nightmarish traffic. Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and San Antonio City Council Member Melissa Cabello…

Transit • By Lina Fisher • Sep 24, 2024

Cap Metro stops shift to all-electric bus fleet

Capital Metro is slamming the brakes on an ambitious goal of transitioning to an all-electric bus fleet, citing problems with the range of battery-electric buses. Austin voters were promised a transit system with exclusively electric vehicles when they authorized a…

Transit • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Jul 26, 2024

Project Connect lawsuit likely headed to appeal before trial

The Project Connect lawsuit expected to go to trial Monday appears destined for appeal instead. Assistant Attorney General Alyssa Bixby-Lawson, whose office opposes efforts by the city of Austin and the Austin Transit Partnership to validate voter-approved bonds for constructing…

Transit • By Jo Clifton • Jun 14, 2024

Project Connect lawsuit finally headed to court Monday

Although the matter has been postponed in the past, it seems likely that Monday will be the trial date for the Austin Transit Partnership and the city of Austin lawsuit to validate voter-approved bonds for Project Connect, combined with the…

Transit • By Jo Clifton • Jun 13, 2024

Transit, housing initiatives highlight accessibility concerns for disabled community

Advocates for disabled people in Austin want to ensure upcoming major changes to the local transportation network and housing market don’t exclude those with physical, visual or hearing impairments. A discussion on Tuesday at the Austin office of the advocacy…

Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • May 22, 2024

Lawsuit over bonds that would pay for Project Connect is taking a longer route

Although lawyers for the city of Austin and the Austin Transit Partnership were looking for a way to validate bonds needed to build Project Connect, the city’s proposed rail system, they have run into opposition from the Texas attorney general’s…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 16, 2024