Tag Archives: Capital Metro

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

Where do Austin's mayoral candidates stand on transportation issues?

When Austinites cast their ballots this election, transportation will be front and center – not just because it’s a major challenge for the region, but also because voters will have just navigated their way to a polling station. Austin’s mayor plays…

Elections • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Oct 15, 2024

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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

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

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MetroBike to get a makeover this summer after a pause in operations

On July 1, the city’s bike rental program, MetroBike, will shut down in order to undergo a transformational change. When it reopens in mid-July, CapMetro Bikeshare will have new stations, e-bikes and an app, along with a vision to expand…

Bicycles • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 4, 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

New Cap Metro train station opens at Q2 Stadium as ‘quiet zones’ take effect

Editors note: Since this story published, Capital Metro’s operations chief, Andy Skabowski, said he was mistaken about when quiet zones would take effect. In an interview with KUT, Skabowski apologized for his statements and clarified the quiet zone would start in six…

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

Cap Metro looks forward to new electric era for city’s bike-share system

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has launched an ambitious program to expand its bike-share program with the city of Austin. The transit company has announced a partnership with PBSC Urban Solutions Inc. aimed at replacing and expanding 80 MetroBike stations, 1,000…

Bicycles • By Jo Clifton • Feb 1, 2024

Cap Metro to increase security guard presence at transit centers, Republic Square

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors’ operations, planning and safety committee at its Wednesday meeting heard an update on the system’s Public Safety Program. The program, approved by the board in 2021, is based on a three-prong approach…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Jan 19, 2024

Cap Metro conducts partial audit of methods for tracking and reporting greenhouse gas emissions

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is working toward a goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Last fall, Capital Metro partnered with University of Texas graduate students on an audit of its current methods for tracking and reporting…

Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Jan 18, 2024