With the economy in recession and regional unemployment high, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is preparing to keep spending flat next fiscal year, equal to this fiscal year’s $403.7 million budget, in the event that revenue sources don’t see a quick recovery. While the economy appears to be on the upswing right now, Reinet Marneweck, […]
Capital Metro
The city’s urban transportation system.
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro audit finds fault in on-time performance system
A recent review by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Internal Audit Department has discovered a number of inconsistencies in the agency’s process for reporting service delays and recording on-time performance. The review found that dispatchers at MV Transportation almost always send prompt service delay notices when a bus or train is running behind schedule, but […]
Posted inTransit
City, Capital Metro adopt Project Connect with justice, sustainability in mind
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and City Council adopted the final vision for an all-electric comprehensive transit system on Wednesday. Board members and city leaders said the $9.8 billion plan, featuring three light rail lines, a new commuter rail line through Northeast Austin and seven much-improved bus routes, would be transformative for […]
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro proposes incorporating Austin B-cycle as extension of public transit network
By late fall, public transit and bike-share users may be able to access both services with the purchase of a local bus day pass. Under a proposed partnership with the city, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is looking to expand upon the symbiosis between its transit system and the city’s B-cycle bike-share program by fully […]
Posted inTransit
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 more recent demographics indicate that the Gold Line, previously envisioned as a bus rapid transit […]
Posted inTransportation
‘Pork chop’ included in updated list of quarter-cent fund projects
District 4’s “pork chop,” a controversial traffic island at the intersection of Morrow Street and North Lamar Boulevard, is finally slated for removal after City Council adopted an updated list of projects approved for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s quarter-cent fund on Thursday. The estimated $475,000 improvement will be funded by a sizable chunk of District […]
Posted inTransit
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 systems are facing extraordinary challenges and these funds will go a long way to assisting […]
Posted inTransit
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 fares or scan tickets, which reduces crowding and queuing near the driver. Those using wheelchairs […]
Posted inTransit
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 need of public transit during the crisis. Although Capital Metro has scaled back service for […]
Posted inTransit
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, if not months. “There is no question … this is going to be a significant […]
Posted inTransit
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 expanded commuter rail, but all of those investments will require funds for operations, maintenance, repair, […]
Posted inTransit
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 contract to MV Transportation in August to handle its bus operations and maintenance services. Before […]