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Transit
Capital Metro adds new light rail line to Project Connect recommendation
An update to regional population estimates has prompted the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make a major change to its proposal for Project Connect. In a memo posted Wednesday, CEO Randy Clarke and Assistant City Manager Gina Fiandaca said the…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • May 7, 2020
Federal relief package includes $104 million for public transit in Austin
The Federal Transit Administration has announced $25 billion in recovery funds for public transportation systems across the nation, including $104 million to help keep the city of Austin’s transit system afloat. “We know that many of our nation’s public transportation…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Apr 3, 2020
Cap Metro to eliminate fares
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced that it will implement free fares throughout the month of April to prioritize public health amid the coronavirus pandemic. Eliminating fares allows passengers to board through the rear bus door without stopping to pay…
Transit • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 30, 2020
COVID-19 produces immediate need for workers at Cap Metro
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority system ridership has fallen every day since March 10 as the effects of the coronavirus spread throughout Austin, but the transit agency is increasing its workforce in order to remain reliable and safe for those in…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 24, 2020
Capital Metro responds to COVID-19 with changes to service schedule and operations
At the tail end of a 17-month run of climbing ridership increases, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority system ridership has plummeted due to the coronavirus pandemic. CEO Randy Clarke said the agency does not expect numbers to recover for many weeks,…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 18, 2020
Austin Transportation pursues 'choice' riders with free transit pass pilot
Austin Transportation is seeking City Council’s permission to buy $700,000 worth of free transit passes as a carrot to lure more “choice” riders out of their private cars and onto buses and trains. Rob Spillar, director of Transportation, said the…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 11, 2020
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Council lands on long-term payment method for Project Connect
In capital costs alone, the city and its residents can expect to contribute around $5.6 billion for the combined pieces of Project Connect. That money will cover investments for two light rail lines, several bus rapid transit “lite” routes and…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 10, 2020
As contract negotiations drag, Cap Metro bus drivers symbolically protest
Some Capital Metro bus drivers wore black makeup or a black sticker under their eyes Wednesday in a symbolic “Black Eye” protest of drawn-out labor negotiations between their union and a Capital Metro contractor. Capital Metro awarded a $1.4 billion…
Transit • By Jerry Quijano, KUT • Feb 20, 2020
Capital Metro to modernize information delivery with onboard displays
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority will soon outfit 67 local service buses with 29-inch wide-screen digital displays, initiating a new era of dynamic passenger information delivery. Last week, the agency’s board of directors unanimously approved a contract with Clever Devices,…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Feb 4, 2020
Advocates host discussion on what makes good transit
November’s transportation bond hasn’t taken shape yet, but is likely to feature the largest public transit investment residents have ever been asked to consider. In light of that, transit advocates and grassroots organizations hosted a talk Wednesday with Christof Spieler,…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Feb 3, 2020
City considers new funding sources for light rail transit investment
On Tuesday, in the fifth of seven planned joint work sessions, City Council and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority discussed the need for innovative funding sources to operate and maintain a regional transit system that may involve the city’s first…
Transit • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 15, 2020
County puts more money into Manor ride-hailing program
In response to higher-than-expected ridership, Travis County is putting more money into a six-month-old ride-hailing program in Manor. The Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to authorize up to $25,000 to help purchase a third bus for the Manor Pickup service, which…
