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 between stops to make their commutes a little smoother. But earlier this year, the transit […]
Transit
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Why your bus may be delayed and what Cap Metro is doing about it
As Covid-19 cases wane and people return to the office, bus ridership is back up to 65 percent of its pre-lockdown levels, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. But many folks who rely on the bus say delays and cancellations make their commute difficult. At its board of directors meeting Monday, Capital Metro execs admitted that […]
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Cap Metro board approves new interim CEO as Clarke says farewell
At its Monday meeting, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved Dottie Watkins, deputy CEO of Capital Metro, to step into the role of interim chief executive officer of the transit organization. Watkins will lead Capital Metro until the board of directors decides on a permanent candidate to replace the current CEO […]
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Council looks at changes to transit partnership board
City Council has tentatively agreed to consider changes to the membership of the board of the Austin Transit Partnership, with just a small change now, and the possibility of a larger and more controversial change in the future. Council approved a resolution on Thursday adding two ex officio members to the ATP Board of Directors, […]
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Cap Metro CEO departs, leaving two Austin transit organizations without permanent leadership
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Randy Clarke will leave Austin to head the public transit agency in Washington, D.C. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced this morning Clarke will take over in late summer as general manager and CEO. Clarke’s five-year agreement with WMATA includes an annual salary of $485,000 and a $4,000/month housing allowance […]
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After Leander vote secures transit service, Cap Metro looks to ‘win over’ skeptics
Now that Capital Metro service in Leander is secure for at least five years following Saturday’s election, the regional transit agency wants to get opponents on board with spending a 1 percent sales tax on public transit. Proposition A asked Leander voters whether to cancel transit service and stop paying the tax to Capital Metro. […]
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Austin Transit Partnership to seek new executive director
The board of directors of the Austin Transit Partnership, the entity formed by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the city to design and build the Project Connect transit system, will consider a resolution next week to launch the process of finding a new executive director for ATP. Randy Clarke, who is the president and […]
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Analysis of code changes for Project Connect extended until December
City staff will need until December to determine the full scope of processes and city regulations that will have to be changed to accommodate the planning and construction of the components of the Project Connect transit plan. City Council had originally instructed the city manager to have a plan for needed code amendments complete by […]
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Transit riders could pay less under new fare proposal by Cap Metro
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is planning to roll out a new fare system this fall that would limit how much people pay to ride the bus or train. Riders using a new smartphone app or fare card – branded as Amp – would stop being charged after paying the equivalent of a day pass in […]
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Cap Metro service changes disproportionately affect poor people
During last week’s board meeting, Capital Metro officials revealed poor populations were more affected by service changes in certain commuter lines. However, due to existing alternate routes, the transit agency plans to keep the changes in place. The analysis examined specific bus route reductions and adjustments implemented by the transit agency over the last few […]
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Transit planners study allowing buses on light-rail bridge over Lady Bird Lake
Facing pushback over plans to allow only light rail and pedestrians on a new bridge over Lady Bird Lake, officials overseeing Project Connect, Austin’s $7.1 billion transit expansion, are taking a closer look at whether to design the bridge so Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses could cross into downtown. The Lady Bird Lake Bridge is […]
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Community weighs in on governance of ATP, Cap Metro
At least 165 community members participated Tuesday night in the first of two virtual meetings designed to gather feedback about the future of Austin’s Project Connect, which is currently in the design stage. In addition to specific questions about where the different lines will be built, groups such as the Austin Justice Coalition and People […]