City Council and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors have landed on an 8.75-cent tax rate election as the best tool to fund the bulk of the Project Connect mass transit system as well as a variety of efforts to prevent transit-related displacement. “We can’t do everything that we want to do, but […]
Ryan Thornton
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council members consider merits of separate safe mobility bond
Responding to a concerted push from local mobility advocates, City Council has opened up the discussion about placing active mobility funds on the November ballot alongside the $7 billion-$10 billion public transit system Project Connect. Five weeks ago, a coalition of 36 organizations called Austin Outside launched a petition calling for a $750 million bond […]
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro offers alternative investment timeline for Project Connect vision
Since June 10, when City Council endorsed the $10 billion Project Connect system, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been considering which of the transit components is most essential for an initial investment to place before voters in November. “Every city, every state starts out with a portion; it’s not built all at once,” said […]
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro board OKs MetroBike partnership for bus-oriented bike system
The city’s B-cycle program is set for expansion and rebranding this fall with the rollout of MetroBike, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s concept for an integrated bike-share and public transit system. The Capital Metro Board of Directors approved the MetroBike co-management partnership with the city of Austin and Bike Share of Austin in a 7-1 […]
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro to link transit trips with personal payment accounts
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority ticket-based fare system is due for an upgrade. Currently it lacks the flexibility to offer benefits like fare capping while encouraging more points of contact between customers and bus operators than contactless account-based ticketing can provide. Even before Covid-19 highlighted the public health risks of ticket payments, Capital Metro planned […]
Posted inTransit
Capital Metro to bring fleet electrification experts on board
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority has purchased 12 electric buses this fiscal year, half of which have been delivered to the electric bus yard under construction at the North Operations facility. With the other six scheduled to arrive in the next four weeks, the agency is now ready to bring in technical assistance to help […]
Posted inTransportation
Capital Metro committee favors contract outfitting transit vehicles with modern surveillance systems
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Operations, Planning and Safety Committee voted Wednesday in favor of a nearly $3 million contract with Luminator Technology Group to install real-time video recording systems on the 272 vehicles not yet using the surveillance system. “The video systems on our revenue vehicles are critical for safety and operational support,” said […]
Posted inTransportation
Austin Transportation announces plans for three new Healthy Streets for safe active mobility
Over the next two weeks, the Austin Transportation Department will set up sawhorses and signage for three new Healthy Streets corridors for the second batch of the program, adding to the city’s five existing street segments for socially distanced active transportation. The five miles of new Healthy Streets include Avenue G between 38th and 56th […]
Posted inCity Council
City prepares ordinances to tap brakes on reopening and slow virus spread
City Council approved two ordinances Thursday intended to bring local businesses into compliance with regulations near to Phase 1 of Gov. Greg Abbott’s reopening plan. “We can’t take the foot off the gas – we are not clear of this yet,” Mayor Steve Adler said at a special called meeting Thursday. “We are still in […]
Posted inWhispers
ATD to address 13 dangerous roadway sections
The Austin Transportation Department will soon begin work on traffic signal improvements at three high-injury roadway sections, including segments of Slaughter Lane, Pleasant Valley Road and Cameron Road. The improvements will supplement an ongoing effort using highly visible signage to slow traffic and prevent dangerous behaviors like failure to yield and distracted and impaired driving […]
Posted inRoads
TxDOT anticipates ‘meaningful alternatives’ to I-35 expansion in upcoming public input process
Despite the sharp drop in local traffic, renewed interest in teleworking policies, and major upsets to transportation revenue streams, the Texas Department of Transportation has no intention of rethinking the need for a $6.6 billion expansion of Interstate 35 through Central Austin between U.S Highway 290 East and Ben White Boulevard. “When we plan projects […]
Posted inPublic Health
Austin Public Health addresses testing equity with walk-up friendly mobile testing sites
Around 11,000 Covid-19 tests were conducted by Austin Public Health, Austin Regional Clinic and CommUnityCare last week, but demand is rising fast and drive-thru testing sites are being overwhelmed. To manage the situation, Austin Public Health is now directing testing resources toward communities that need them most and asking individuals with access to medical care […]