With tens of thousands of workers needed over the next decade to complete a plethora of multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects, local leaders are also looking for a large pool of contractors and consultants who will help with supplementary services. That search is already underway, with a forum held earlier this week allowing small minority-owned businesses the […]
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Posted inTransit
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 greenhouse gas emissions. The project team included UT interns Vanessa Li and Avery Smitheal as […]
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Cap Metro study to identify constraints and opportunities in completing remaining segments of Red Line Trail
At its State of the Parkway event on Monday, the nonprofit Red Line Parkway Initiative met with regional leaders and grassroots organizers to discuss continued work on the 32-mile trail along the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Red Line. The Red Line Parkway Initiative is involved in planning, fundraising and community engagement surrounding the trail and […]
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Cap Metro board hears results of first post-pandemic Origin & Destination survey
Besides interrupting Capital Metro’s transportation services, the pandemic also interfered with its process of measuring its ridership, typically done every five years. On Monday, for the first time since 2015, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors heard a presentation on the Origin & Destination Survey. “We came back around in 2020 in hopes […]
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Capital Metro Board of Directors approves Fiscal Year 2024 budget
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday to approve the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Operating and Capital Budget, as well as its Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. The approved budget is $871,033,690 in operating and capital expenses. It includes $427.5 million in operating expenses, $12 million for commitments under interlocal agreements for mobility […]
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Cap Metro board approves contract with new third-party bus service provider
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors voted Monday to approve a resolution authorizing a contract with a new third-party bus operator, despite concerns from union leadership. A motion to approve the item passed the board unanimously. President & CEO Dottie Watkins can now finalize and execute a contract with Keolis Transit Services, LLC […]
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City needs more planning staff to complete federal transit grant work for light rail
The Planning Department says it needs four new staffers to prepare for the first phase of light rail through downtown. That was one of the findings in a new memo outlining the department’s work to make equitable transit-oriented developments, or ETODs, a major piece of city planning for the next decade-plus. The new staffers would […]
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On-street light rail route selected as best option for city’s mass transit plan
Local transit leaders have selected an entirely on-street light rail line that runs through downtown and stretches mostly north and east with a spur that reaches somewhat into southern Austin as the route that will most likely be approved for construction. Austin Transit Partnership today announced that the two-train route running from 38th Street south […]
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Disability committee wants improved transportation to Austin’s major music venues
Improving transportation for the disabled to the Circuit of the Americas and the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park are two of the early goals for members of the city’s committee for the disabled who may opt to serve on an ongoing task force dedicated to improving accessibility at local music venues. Last week the Mayor’s […]
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Cap Metro previews impact of Manor and Lago Vista leaving service area
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors learned more this week about the potential fallout of both Lago Vista and Manor ending their partnerships and leaving the Capital Metro service area. In August, both suburbs decided to hold elections to ask voters whether to continue or end partnerships with Capital Metro. Lago Vista is […]
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Cap Metro struggles to recruit and retain more bus operators
Late last year, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority raised the starting hourly wage for bus drivers to $22/hour and kicked in a $5,000 signing bonus for qualified candidates with a commercial driver’s license. But despite these perks, the transit organization is having trouble hiring enough bus drivers to fill all available positions. “Generally, we’re gaining about […]
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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, […]