The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority presented new ridership numbers that continue to tell a story of a slow but steady revival in usage of Austin’s public bus and rail system. CapMetro, like virtually every other transit agency in the United States, saw its ridership numbers plummet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those numbers have improved across […]
Capital Metro
The city’s urban transportation system.
Posted inTransit
CapMetro’s Red Line Station near the Domain is back on track, but now double the price
Three years after a groundbreaking ceremony that led to no actual construction, Capital Metro is putting plans back on track to build a new commuter rail station near the Domain. But the project’s price tag has ballooned, and the transit agency will pay more than triple what it had originally planned. Broadmoor Station was originally expected to […]
Posted inPlanning
Council eyes vision plans for north and south transit centers
Vision plans for two major transit centers north and south of Downtown Austin are slated for City Council consideration later this month, capping a lengthy planning and public engagement process under the city’s emerging Equitable Transit-Oriented Development program. The ETOD program, a partnership between the city and Capital Metro, aims to guide redevelopment around transit […]
Posted inTransportation
Bond task force weighs early decisions on transportation needs for 2026 package
The Bond Election Advisory Task Force got its first look Monday at how the Transportation and Public Works Department is approaching the selection and prioritization of projects for next year’s expected bond package. Task force members had plenty of questions about how those choices will be made. Among the concerns, members asked staff how transportation […]
Posted inTransit
CapMetro’s secret fight to fix a broken fare system
For months, Capital Metro passengers knew something wasn’t right. The QR code scanners they used to pay fares with phones were unreliable, sometimes not working at all. Riders would often board without paying, flagged on by the driver to keep passengers moving. “There’s some issues with the QR codes. It could just be because it […]
Posted inTransit
Austin’s new CapMetro Rapid lines debut with buses every 20 minutes
Capital Metro rolled out its long-awaited Rapid lines this weekend, but “rapid” for now will mean a 20- to 30-minute wait for the next bus. Originally slated for 2023 with ambitious plans for an all-electric fleet, 10-minute frequency and end-of-line park and rides, the Rapid routes – formerly known as MetroRapid – launched with reduced service and diesel […]
Posted inTransportation
South Austin’s newest trail is under construction. Will the Trump administration help pay for it?
An abandoned railroad line in South Austin is being converted into a trail for pedestrians and cyclists, with the first section set to open next year. But uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s freeze on federal grants has cast doubt on how much of the bill the feds will cover and whether the city will have […]
Posted inTransit
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. The new system will let riders pay with their phones using Apple Pay or Google […]
Posted inTransit
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 been the slow rollout of e-bus chargers at the end of routes to keep vehicles […]
Posted inTransit
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 a double-track – can improve the frequency and reliability of train service by allowing trains […]
Posted inElections
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 a powerful role in shaping how we get around the city and has an influential […]
Posted inTransit
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 the timeline for other planned CapMetro Rapid (formerly MetroRapid) routes, including those serving Oak Hill, […]