Tag Archives: Capital Metro
Friday, April 3, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
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…
Monday, March 30, 2020 by Elizabeth Pagano
Transit
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…
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
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…
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
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,…
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
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…
Thursday, February 20, 2020 by Jerry Quijano
Transit
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…
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro to modernize information delivery with onboard displays
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority will soon outfit 67 local service buses with 29-inch wide-screen digital displays, initiating a new era of dynamic passenger information delivery.Last week, the agency’s board of directors unanimously approved a contract with Clever Devices, a…
Monday, January 27, 2020 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Red tread redemption?
Red dawn(s again)… Austin Transportation and the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority are partnering up this month to add more red lanes – or “fresh Elmo,” as they’re called by transit advocates – to the city’s central transit spine. Beginning last…
Thursday, January 9, 2020 by Ryan Thornton
Bonds & Propositions
Activist-led transportation bond vision adjusted and finalized
The team behind the Wheel Deal, a community-led concept for a 2020 transportation-focused bond, released its final plan Wednesday after making several adjustments to its initial plan based on public input.While the group sharply cut proposed funding in a number…
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transportation
City, Capital Metro, to consider new vision for Red Line trail
In the past week, the city of Austin and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority have each passed resolutions to renew interest in creating a 32-mile transit- and trail-oriented corridor with hike and bike trails, parks, and easy access to transit stations…
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro to get close-up look at neighborhood circulators
In the face of ongoing regional sprawl, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is taking strides to connect low-density areas outside the city’s public transit network to its fixed-service routes.The transit agency began that effort in June with an app-based pilot…
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro to begin building first electric bus yard
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is laying the groundwork for an electric bus yard to store and charge the city’s first battery electric buses as early as next fall.The agency’s board of directors unanimously approved a $7.5 million contract with…
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 by Samuel King
Transit
It’s not just light rail. Capital Metro wants to expand rapid bus service, too.
Austin’s regional transit agency, Capital Metro, is taking feedback from the public on a plan to add up to five new rapid bus lines.It comes as ridership on the existing rapid bus lines, known as MetroRapid, has been rising. In…
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Budget
Capital Metro board approves 2020 budget
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority may still be playing catch-up with some basic comforts like benches, shelters and waste bins at bus stops, but the agency promises to accelerate those smaller efforts while preparing for a high-capacity transit future in…
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro updates ETA for journey-planning app
Recovering from a rocky start, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority says its new and improved mobile transit application will soon be live and ready for mobile users to download.The agency launched its new application for Android users on Monday, promising,…
Monday, September 16, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Commission stresses need for better TOD planning along Green Line
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is studying the potential for placing transit-oriented development districts along Project Connect’s rail commuter Green Line, but the Planning Commission says that effort may be somewhat futile without a concentrated push to create vibrant communities…
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro talks batteries over electric bus contract
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is pressing on with its fleet electrification plan despite a number of kinks yet to be fully ironed out.After the agency’s board of directors approved a contract with New Flyer of America on Monday for…
Tuesday, August 13, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro board awards bus operations contract to single firm, MV Transportation
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors voted Monday to combine operations at its two garages under one company, Dallas-based MV Transportation, Inc.The contract includes a base five-year period for $575.1 million with two optional three-year extensions and a…
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Capital Metro pitches in for new East Austin bus station
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors approved a 40-year interlocal agreement Monday, July 29, with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System for construction and joint operation of the Eastside Bus Plaza, a transit station at the convergence of…
Friday, August 2, 2019 by Ryan Thornton
Transit
Project Connect Blue Line yet to be defined
In the shadow of 2014’s failed Highland-Riverside rail ballot measure, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s similarly charted Blue Line is struggling to take form.The Blue Line is one of Project Connect’s two high-capacity transit lines. If approved, it will run…
