Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
 | |
| Founded | July 1, 1985 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 2910 E. Fifth Street |
| Locale | Austin, Texas |
| Service area | Austin, Travis and parts of Williamson Counties |
| Service type | Bus, passenger rail, van pool |
| Routes | 49 metro, 12 special, 8 express, 19 UT shuttle, 1 passenger rail |
| Stops | 3,000+ |
| Hubs | 22(transfer centers/ park and ride) |
| Stations | 9 (passenger rail) |
| Fleet | 417 |
| Daily ridership | 80,750[1] |
| Fuel type | ultra-low sulfur diesel, Diesel-electric hybrid |
| Operator | CMTA |
| Chief executive | Randy Clark [2] |
| Website | capmetro.org |
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, commonly referred to as Capital Metro, is a public transportation provider located in Austin, Texas. It operates bus, paratransit services and a commuter rail system known as the Capital MetroRail in Austin and several suburbs in Travis and Williamson counties. In January 2014, Capital Metro launched MetroRapid, an express service operating in shared lanes with automobile traffic.[3]
Voters approved the creation of Capital Metro in January 1985, agreeing to fund the organization with a one percent sales tax.
History
Capital Metro was established by a referendum on January 19, 1985, to provide mass transportation service to the greater Austin metropolitan area. Voters in Austin and the surrounding area approved the creation of the agency, to be funded in part by a 1 percent sales tax. Capital Metro commenced operations on July 1, 1985, and took over the existing city of Austin bus services in 1986.[4]
In an effort to boost ridership, Capital Metro did away with fares completely and instituted fare-free in an experiment that lasted from October 1989 to December 1990. The program was enormously successful in attracting new passengers, and increased ridership by 75% (but expanded service accounted for some of the growth). The fare-free scheme, however, attracted problem riders who drove away quality ridership. In response, 75% of transit drivers voted to have the program discontinued immediately in 1990.[5]
In 1997 Capital Metro was the subject of a string of Texas Legislature and FBI investigations that uncovered a dysfunctional organization beset by poor management. As a result, the Legislature subsequently overhauled Capital Metro and its board of directors in an attempt to make the transit authority both more effective and transparent ahead of a performance review by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.[6] The review cited an "ongoing criminal investigation" by the FBI, "irresponsible management", "expensive, embarrassing mistakes", "dubious contracting and purchasing practices", and $118,000 spent on "food, parties, and presents for its employees" and culminated with, "We have never, in all of the performance reviews we have conducted, seen an agency with such a lack of accountability."[7]
As part of this restructuring, the Legislature ordered Capital Metro to hold an up-or-down referendum on passenger rail. In response, Capital Metro released an ambitious plan that proposed to spend $1.9 billion for a light rail system with 52 miles of track on existing streets. The referendum was narrowly defeated in November 2000 by 2,000 votes, with voters in central Austin tending to favor it, while those outside the city limits did not.[8] Capital Metro prepared a greatly scaled-back version for voters in November 2004. The updated plan sought to build just one starter line that would run north-south at a cost $90 million. While the project was somewhat marred by construction delays, questions and safety and cost overruns, the Red Line of the Capital MetroRail began service on March 22, 2010.[9]
Capital Metro had its first passenger/bus fatality in its operating history on January 30, 2012, when route 383 operated by Veolia Transportation bus struck a pedestrian crossing Braker Lane and Jollyville Road. This was due to a number of factors including sharp left turns at the intersection of Braker and Jollyville, the fact the 2-3 bus routes turn on a narrow stretch of turn lane, bad weather, and using buses that are near end of life or end of life such in the case with the buses contracted out to Veolia that were once used for StarTran bus services.[10]
There have been several passenger injuries that have been reported on Veolia, StarTran, and First Transit routes in which First Transit exceeds performance ratings, StarTran in the middle, and Veolia failing to consistently meet performance ratings. A safety review plan has been communicated with Veolia Transportation in 2011. The board of directors have been constantly reviewing ways of improvement for that contractor.
In June, 2018, Capital Metro began testing driverless buses. If successful the buses would run for free as part of a 12 month pilot program. [11]
Funding conflicts
The source of Capital Metro's funding has been a source of considerable and consistent controversy since the transit authority's founding in 1985. In December 1988, the board of directors voluntarily lowered the sales and use tax to 0.75-cent. In June 1995, the Board of Directors reinstated the sales and use tax to the full one percent effective October 1, 1995, promising to set aside the additional revenue for funding light rail.[12]
Capital Metro, after raising its sale tax from 0.75 percent to 1 percent in 1995, had stockpiled $176 million by the 2000 referendum. When light rail was defeated at the polls in 2000, however, pressure mounted to return the quarter-cent it had been setting aside for rail projects. For years, mass transit detractors had coveted the quarter percentage earmarked for rail projects. Political leaders and organizations, including former Republican state Rep. Terry Keel of Austin, Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty and his anti-rail group Reclaim Our Allocated Dollars (ROAD), wanted the sales-tax money to build projects such as a highway loop around Austin and an east-west freeway. As pressure mounted on Capital Metro, Keel announced his intention to roll Capital Metro's taxing authority back to a half-cent and redirecting the other half-cent to highway construction.[13]
To head that off and keep rail's future prospects alive, the Capital Metro board passed resolutions in the months after the vote making two promises: It would direct $91 million of its existing reserves to local governments for transportation projects, and it would dispense all proceeds that year from a quarter-cent of its tax to those same local governments. That quarter-cent promise was later extended for three more years, eventually amounting to $113 million, for a total of $204 million.[14]
The city of Austin, given that something on the order of 97 percent of Capital Metro sales taxes come from within the city, was to be the primary beneficiary of those promises. Since 2000, at least $106 million of the $204 million promised to Austin and smaller cities such as Manor and Leander. At the same time, however, it was spending more than $300 million on commuter rail, park-and-ride lots, a new maintenance and operations center, and other facilities. As the Great Recession spread to Austin in 2009, tax revenues dried up and Capital Metro had to stop payment on a $51 million loan owed to Austin as part of a 2001 agreement. [15]
Member jurisdictions
The following jurisdictions participate in the Capital Metro system, all in Travis and Williamson Counties.[16]
- Austin
- Jonestown
- Lago Vista
- Leander
- Manor
- Point Venture
- Round Rock
- San Leanna
- Volente
- The Anderson Mill area in Williamson County
- Precinct 2, an unincorporated area in north Travis County.
The original jurisdictions of Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Rollingwood, and West Lake Hills have withdrawn from Capital Metro.[17] Service to other areas in the Austin metropolitan area is provided by the Capital Area Rural Transportation System. Capital Metro recently voted to allow a new policy that would allow new member cities to hire the transit authority to provide transit service, without using the 1% sales tax.[18]
Capital MetroBus
Capital Metro's fixed route bus service includes 49 metro routes and 8 Express routes as of 2008. It has several categories of routes: Local Service, Flyer and Limited, Feeder, Crosstown, Special Services, Express and University of Texas Shuttles. At the agency's inception, Capital Metro originally operated a series of "paired" route service where two different routes that pass through downtown are served by the same buses, allowing riders to transfer between certain routes without leaving the bus. Since 2008, this practice has been eliminated and after a number of route pair reassignments, the agency merged the paired routes under single route numbers (for example, the 1 North Lamar and 13 South Congress were originally paired as they were the two busiest routes in the system, but they have since been merged as 1 North Lamar/South Congress). Meanwhile, most local routes carried two digits before Capital Metro assigned a third digit for routes that do not serve downtown in 2000 (for example, 25 Ohlen became 325). Flyer routes were renumbered altogether to match their local stop counterparts (for example, 65 Manchaca Flyer became 103), while express routes that operated during commute times only contained letters (for example, NEX Northeast Express was renamed 990 Manor/Elgin Express; but was also named 103 Northeast Express).
University of Texas Shuttle System
The University of Texas' shuttle system, operated by Capital Metro, is one of the largest university transit systems in the United States. The UT Shuttle System boasts 10 routes and carries over 5.2 million passengers a year. UT students, faculty, and staff may ride the shuttles at no charge with a valid UT photo ID. Without a UT photo ID, normal MetroBus rates apply.[19]
During the five fiscal years that ended in September 2009, hours of shuttle service declined by 16.3 percent and passengers declined by 28 percent. Capital Metro attributes some of that ridership loss to UT students and staffers moving in greater numbers to regular Capital Metro bus routes, where they also ride for free. During the same period, non-shuttle ridership by UT students and staffers increased to 2.3 million from 1.6 million. Still, combined shuttle and non-shuttle UT ridership has declined.[20]
History
The relationship between the university and Capital Metro dates to 1989, when the agency took over service that private bus companies had provided for 20 years. Capital Metro offered snazzier buses with air conditioning, but it immediately lengthened the time between some bus runs.[21]
In 1983, the University of Texas received six bids to manage the shuttle system. Capital Metro entered into the picture in 1988, when the university contracted out to them. Capital Metro, in turn, then subcontracted out to Laidlaw International, Inc., who had, up to that point, operated orange and white school buses[22][23] for the university on a contractual basis. Rather than use Laidlaw's existing bus fleet, however, Capital Metro used their own. In so doing, Capital Metro brought air conditioning and wheelchair accessibility to the shuttle service for the first time.[24] The transition, however, was not without controversy. Among the other contested issues was the fact that these new shuttles didn't have a stereo system[25][26]
In 1991, Capital Metro canceled its contract with Laidlaw and contracted out with DAVE Transportation, instead[27][28]
Amidst allegations of union busting, in 1999, Capital Metro canceled its then current contract and instead contracted out with ATC/Vancom, instead[28][29][30] Six years later, in 2005, Capital Metro, citing concerns over the comparatively low wages ATC/Vancom paid, negotiated a contract with First Transit to operate the UT shuttle buses.[31]
Independent of the university shuttle system, Capital Metro has, since September 19, 2002,[32][33] operated so-called "E-Bus" routes, to ferry students between heavily populated student residential areas to within a block of 6th Street. These buses run from 8:00-9:00pm to 3:00am, Thursday through Sunday.[34] The E in "E-Bus" stands for "eating and entertainment" and funding was initially provided for by companies advertising on the bus.[35] On April 1, 2010, the Daily Texan reported that, in an attempt to curb passenger unruliness, Capital Metro was requiring students swipe their student IDs before boarding and that the University of Texas would start paying for some of the services.[36]
Routes
The UT Shuttle system includes a number of routes during the University of Texas semester. They do not operate on Saturdays, except during finals. Since September 2014, numbered routes have been used exclusively at bus stops, though signage on buses may use either numbered or lettered signage. UT Shuttle routes now also served by the same vehicle livery as other Capital Metro passengers. Local fares apply.
Routes are current as of September 2014.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 640 FA | Forty Acres | E 23rd at San Jacinto — Guadalupe at W 23rd | Circular service, runs clockwise. |
| 641 EC | East Campus | E 23rd at San Jacinto — UFCU Disch-Falk Field | Circular service, runs clockwise. Name was previously DF Disch-Falk. |
| 642 WC | West Campus | San Jacinto at E 23rd — San Gabriel at W 25th | Circular service, runs counterclockwise. Formerly Route 50. |
| 656 IF | Intramural Fields | E 26th at San Jacinto — Guadalupe at W 51st | Formerly Route 56. |
| 661 FW | Far West | Dean Keeton at Speedway — Village Center | Service via Mopac Expressway between W 35th and Far West. Formerly Route 55. |
| 663 LA | Lake Austin | Whitis at W 21st — Kermit at Jasper | Also serves Downtown Austin. Formerly Route 57. |
| 670 CP | Crossing Place | E 23rd at San Jacinto — 1300 Crossing Place | Service via I-35 between E Riverside Drive and E MLK Drive. |
| 671 NR | North Riverside | E 23rd at San Jacinto — Wickersham at Elmont | Service via I-35 between E Riverside Drive and E MLK Drive. Formerly Route 58. |
| 672 LS | Lakeshore | E 23rd at San Jacinto — Lakeshore at E Riverside | Service via I-35 between E Riverside Drive and E MLK Drive. |
| 680 NR/LS | North Riverside/Lakeshore | E 23rd at San Jacinto — Wickersham at E Riverside | Overnight service, served by Route 671 and 672 during daytime. Service via I-35 between E Riverside Drive and E MLK Drive. Signed as "NR/LS Combined Route". Formerly Route 680 NR/WL, but split into two. Formerly Route 85. |
| 681 IF/FW | Intramural Fields/Far West | E 26th at San Jacinto — Village Center | Sunday afternoon and evening service, served by Routes 656 and 661 at other times. Signed as "IF/FW Combined Route". Service via Mopac Expressway between Allandale and Far West. Formerly Route 81. |
Former Routes
| Route | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 651 CR | Cameron Road | Formerly Route 51. |
| 652 PRC | Pickle Research Campus | Formerly Route 52. |
| 653 RR | Red River | Formerly Route 48. Discontinued June 3, 2018; redundant with Route 10. |
| 662 ER | Enfield Road | Formerly Route 53. |
| 673 PL | Parker Lane | Formerly Route 49. |
| 674 BD | Burton Drive | Formerly Route 84. |
| 675 WL | Wickersham Lane | Formerly Route 59. |
| 676 PB | Parker/Burton | |
| 682 BD/PL | Burton + Parker | Formerly Route 82. |
| 683 ER/LA | Enfield Road + Lake Austin | |
| 684 CR/RR | Cameron Road + Red River | Formerly Route 80. |
| 685 WL/CP | Wickersham Lane + Crossing Place | |
| CL | Campus Loop | Split into 2 routes. |
Local Service Routes
Capital Metro's Local routes are intended to connect specific neighborhoods of Austin to Downtown Austin, with frequent stops. Since June 2014, north-south service within downtown Austin for all routes is provided via Lavaca Street northbound and Guadalupe Street southbound, with all routes serving at least one stop along both streets. (Prior to relocating routes to the Guadalupe/Lavaca corridor, many routes formerly utilized Brazos Street northbound and Colorado Street southbound before various construction projects took place. Also, since June 2014, the remaining lines no longer use Congress Avenue between 11th Street and Barton Springs Road.)
East-west service within downtown Austin for all routes is provided via 5th Street eastbound and 4th and 6th Streets westbound, so as to provide a connection along the Lavaca/Guadalupe corridor. Local service is designated by routes 1-49. Local fares apply.
Routes are current as of September 2017.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metric / South Congress | Tech Ridge Park and Ride via North Lamar Transit Center — E William Cannon at Bluff Springs via South Congress Transit Center | Some trips detour via ACC Northridge. Sometimes signed as "1 North Lamar / South Congress via Metric" for historical purposes. Name was originally 1 North Lamar. In February 2002, it extended along South Congress, replacing Route 13 South Congress, and the name was changed accordingly. From 2006 to 2014, the Route 1 was split into two routes: 1L, which was North Lamar/South Congress, and 1M, which was Metric/South Congress, replacing route 242 Metric (renamed from 42 Metric / Quail Valley in January 2000). In 2014, the section along Lamar became new Route 275. Interlined with Route 7 at southern terminus. Rerouted on Lamar on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. |
| 2 | Rosewood | San Antonio at W 4th — Airport at Springdale | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Interlined with Routes 6 and 19 at western terminus. Section on Ledesma, Lott, Prock, and Sara eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. |
| 3 | Burnet / Manchaca | Southpark Meadows — Great Hills at Stonelake | Interlined with Route 10 at southern terminus and with Route 392 at northern terminus. Name was originally 3 Burnet. In February 2002, it extended along Manchaca, replacing Route 12 Manchaca, and the name was changed accordingly. It also extended north to the Arboretum over portions of Routes 244 and 240 on that same day. |
| 4 | Montopolis | 5th at Campbell — 7th at Shady | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Service on east of Shady on 7th, 183, and Vargas eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. |
| 5 | Woodrow / Lamar | Stagebrush at Monterey Oaks — Northcross Mall | Interlined with Route 323 at northern terminus. Name was originally 5 Woodrow. In August 2008, as a result of the elimination of all pairs, it replaced Route 16 South 5th / Westgate. On June 3, 2018, sections transferred to new routes 105 and 315. Service on Monterey Oaks, Staggerbrush, and Roadrunner discontinued. Rerouted on Lamar to downtown replacing part of Route 338. Name changed from Woodrow / South 5th. |
| 6 | East 12th | San Antonio at W 4th — Tannehill at Webberville | Interlined with Routes 2 and 19 at western terminus and with Route 339 at eastern terminus. |
| 7 | Duval / Dove Springs | E William Cannon at Bluff Springs — Crestview Station | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Some trips detoured via Route 333 routing. Interlined with Route 1 at southern terminus. Name was originally 7 Duval. In August 2008, as a result of the elimination of all pairs, it replaced route 27 Dove Springs, and the name was changed to the current one. Extended north to current end in August 2010, replacing part of Route 339 Walnut Creek / Koenig (Route 39 before February 2001; this was originally part of Route 24 Walnut Creek). On June 3, 2018, service on Peppertree Pkwy was discontinued. Service along Huntland, St. Johns, and Cameron transferred to Route 10 and Route 300 on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. |
| 10 | South First / Red River | Southpark Meadows — Rutherford Wal-Mart | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Some trips detoured via I-35 at E 51st. Interlined with Route 3 at southern terminus. Name was originally 10 South First. In August 2008, as a result of the elimination of all pairs, it replaced Route 15 Red River, and the name was changed to the current one. Service on Georgian transferred to new Route 324 on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Parts were covered by Routes 325 and 350. |
| 17 | Cesar Chavez | 8th at Congress — ACC Riverside | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Service to Eastside Memorial High School discontinued on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Rerouted to ACC Riverside replacing part of Route 4. |
| 18 | ML King | Exposition at Lake Austin — Hefflin at Springdale | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) |
| 19 | Bull Creek | San Antonio at W 4th — Northcross at Foster | Interlined with Routes 2, 6, and 37 at western terminus and with Route 325 at northern terminus. |
| 20 | Manor / Riverside | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport — LBJ High School | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Sometimes signed as "20 Manor Road / Riverside". Name was originally 20 Manor. In August 2008, as a result of the elimination of all pairs, it replaced Route 26 Riverside, and the name was changed to the current one. On June 3, 2018, rerouted directly and extended to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport replacing part of Route 350 and making Route 100 redundant, causing Route 100 to be discontinued. Old route via Wickersham transferred to new Route 310 Wickersham. |
| 30 | Barton Creek Square | W 8th at Colorado — Westgate Mall via Barton Creek Square Mall | Signed as "30 Barton Creek". On June 3, 2018, section to South Congress Transfer Center transferred to new Route 315. |
MetroRapid Routes
Capital Metro's MetroRapid routes is an ostensibly bus rapid transit service (really "Rapid Bus" - mostly a branding exercise) serving high-traffic corridors. The service utilizes high-frequency service of every 15 minutes on weekdays with 10 minute service at rush hours. MetroRapid service is designated by routes 800-899. local fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 801 | North Lamar / South Congress | Tech Ridge Park and Ride — Southpark Meadows | Local service provided by Route 1, 201, and 275. Former branch of Route 1. |
| 803 | Burnet / South Lamar | The Domain — Westgate Mall | Local service provided by Route 3. |
Limited and Flyer routes
Capital Metro's Limited and Flyer routes are limited stop services between two destinations. Limited routes tend to have fewer stops compared to their local counterparts, while Flyer routes serve nonstop between downtown or the UT campus and their neighborhoods of service. Limited and Flyer routes are designated by routes 100-199. Local fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | Manchaca Flyer | Slaughter at Manchaca — Deen Keeton at Guadalupe | Rush hour service. Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Passengers may not board at points beyond Manchaca at Prather when travelling northbound. Passengers may not board at points beyond N Lamar at W 5th when travelling southbound. Renamed from Route 65 Manchaca Flyer in February 2002. |
| 105 | South 5th Flyer | UT/ West Mall — Westgate Mall | Created on June 3, 2018 replacing part of Route 5 Woodrow/South 5th as part of Remap. |
| 111 | South Mopac Flyer | Escarpment at South Bay — San Jacinto at Deen Keeton | Rush hour service. Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Service via Mopac Expressway between W William Cannon and W Cesar Chavez. |
| 135 | Dell Limited | E 7th at Pleasant Valley — Tech Ridge Park and Ride | Rush hour service. Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Service via I-35 between Airport and Parmer. |
| 142 | Metric Flyer | S Congress at Riverside — Amherst at Duval | Rush hour service. Service southbound in the morning peak, and northbound in the afternoon peak. Service via I-35 between MLK and E Rundberg. Passengers may not board at points beyond W Rundberg at N Lamar when travelling southbound. Passengers may not board at points beyond Congress at 18th when travelling northbound. Renamed from Route 62 Metric Flyer in February 2002. |
| 171 | Oak Hill Flyer | Silver Mine at SH 71 — Red River at E 32nd | Rush hour service (with exception of a single reverse peak run midday). Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Service via Mopac Expressway between W Cesar Chavez and Old Fredericksburg. Renamed from Route 63 Oak Hill Flyer in February 2002. |
Feeder Routes
Capital Metro's Feeder routes are local services between a neighborhood and a major transfer point for connecting service. Feeder routes are designated by routes 200-299. Local fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | Southpark Meadows | Akins High School — E William Cannon at Bluff Springs | Some service short-turns at Southpark Meadows. |
| 214 | Northwest Feeder | Thunderbird at Dawn — Lakeline Station | Renamed from Route 102 Lago Vista Feeder in August 2000. Renamed from Route 214 Lago Vista Feeder. |
| 228 | VA Clinic | Metropolis at Veteran's Center — ACC Riverside | Renamed from Route 328 Ben White in August 2010 (already renamed from route 28 Ben White in January 2000). On June 3, 2018, changed from Route 228 Burleson. Service on Burleson, 71, Todd, and Woodward discontinued due to low ridership. Rerouted replacing part of Route 331 Oltorf. |
| 233 | Far Northeast Feeder | Manor at Ed Bluestein — Loyola at Wentworth | |
| 237 | Northeast Feeder | Manor at Ed Bluestein — 9301 Hog Eye | |
| 243 | Wells Branch | Howard Station — Tech Ridge Park and Ride | Replaced part of Route 242 Metric (which was renamed from Route 42 Quail Valley / Metric in February 2000). |
| 271 | Del Valle Flex | ACC Riverside — Rass Road | Created in January 2010. |
Crosstown Routes
Capital Metro's Crosstown routes are local services between two neighborhoods of Austin, for which the route does not pass through Downtown Austin or the University of Texas. Crosstown routes are designated by routes 300-399. Local fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | Govalle | Crestview Station — Westgate Mall | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Interlined with Routes 350 and 383 at northern terminus; renamed from Route 8 Govalle in February 2002. Extended south from Oltorf & Burton in August 2010 due to elimination of Route 9 Enfield / Travis Heights. Rerouted to Westgate Mall (replacing most of Route 331) on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Old Route to south Congress Transfer Center transferred to Route 310 Wickersham. Also rerouted on 51st, Cameron, and St. Johns (replacing parts of Route 37 and Route 320). Old Route along Berkman transferred to Route 10. |
| 310 | Wickersham | ACC Riverside — South Congress Transit Center | Created June 3, 2018 replacing parts of Route 20, Route 331, and Route 300 as part of Remap. |
| 311 | Stassney | ACC Riverside — Westgate at S Lamar | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Interlined with Route 338 at western terminus. Renamed from Route 111 Stassney in February 2000 (before that, was Route 11 Stassney). |
| 315 | Ben White | South Congress Transit Center — ACC Pinnacle | Created June 3, 2018 replacing parts of Route 30 and Route 5 as part of Remap. |
| 318 | Westgate/Slaughter | Aftonshire at Nightjar — Western Trail at Sagebrush | Created as a renumbering of Route 238 on June 3, 2018 and extended east on Slaughter to Thaxton at Panadero due to Remap. |
| 322 | Chicon/Cherrywood | RBJ Center — Hancock Shopping Center | Created June 3, 2018 as a renumbering and shortening of Route 22 Chicon. |
| 323 | Anderson | Northcross Mall via North Lamar Transit Center — Rutherford Wal-Mart | Interlined with Route 5 at western terminus and with Route 339 at eastern terminus. Renamed from Route 23 Johnny Morris in August 2010, and extended over the eastern half of Route 339 Walnut Creek/Koenig (this was Route 39 Walnut Creek/Koenig before February 2001). On June 3, 2018, split, and the section east of the Wal-Mart was renamed the new Route 339 Tuscany as part of Remap. |
| 324 | Georgian / Ohlen | Northcross at Foster — Highland Station | Interlined with Route 19 at western terminus. Created on June 3, 2018 replacing parts of Route 10, Route 240, and Route 325 due to Remap. |
| 325 | Metric / Rundberg | Tech Ridge Park and Ride — Rutherford Wal-Mart | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Renamed from Route 25 Ohlen in February 2000. On June 3, 2018, rerouted to Tech Ridge Park and Ride replacing part of Route 1 and name was changed from 325 Ohlen due to Remap. Old route to Northcross transferred to new route 324 Georgian/Ohlen. |
| 333 | William Cannon | ACC Pinnacle — Onion Creek at Pleasant Valley / Thaxton at Panadero | High-frequency service west of Brodie (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Trips eastbound serve one terminus before serving the other terminus; the first terminus served depends on time of day and day of week. Renamed from Route 33 William Cannon in February 2000. On June 3, 2018, rerouted so that it alternates between serving William Cannon/Brush Country and serving both Convict Hill/Woodcreek and ACC Pinnacle. |
| 335 | 35th / 38th Street | Exposition at Westover — Mueller | Created on June 3, 2018 replacing part of Route 21/22 due to Remap. |
| 337 | Chicon/Cherrywood | Balcones at Burnet — Colon Loop at Decker | Created June 3, 2018 as a renumbering of Route 37 Colony Park and was rerouted west over part of Route 320. |
| 339 | Tuscany | Rutherford Wal-Mart — Manor at Ed Bluestein | Interlined with Route 323 at western terminus and with Route 6 at eastern terminus. Created on June 3, 2018 replacing part of Route 323 as part of Remap. Only a small portion was part of the old 339 Walnut Creek-Koenig. |
| 345 | 45th Street | Burnet at North Loop — Hancock Shopping Center | Created on June 3, 2018 replacing part of Route 338 due to Remap. |
| 350 | Airport Boulevard | North Lamar Transit Center — ACC Riverside | Interlined with Routes 300 and 383 at northern terminus. Created as a merge of Route 32 Airport Boulevard and Route 46 Bergstrom in February 2000 and part of Route 8 Govalle (this was part of Route 24 Walnut Creek earlier). Section south of ACC Riverside transferred to Route 20 on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. |
| 383 | Research | North Lamar Transit Center — Lakeline Station | Interlined with Routes 300 and 350 at southern terminus. |
| 392 | Braker | Kramer Station — Tech Ridge Park and Ride | Interlined with Route 3 at western terminus. Service to the Arboretum discontinued on June 3, 2018 due to Remap and was replaced by Route 383. |
Special Services
Capital Metro's Special services are routes that do not fit in any other category. Special Services are designated as routes 400-499, with the exception of Round Rock service, which instead designates routes as 50-99. Local fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Round Rock Howard Station | Howard Station – ACC Round Rock Created August 2016. | |
| 51 | Round Rock Circulator | Louis Henna at I-35 – Park Valley at Oakwood Created August 2016. | |
| 52 | Round Rock Tech Ridge | Tech Ridge Station – Baghdad at Brown Created August 2016. | |
| 410 | E-Bus West Campus | Nueces at W 27th — Colorado at W 6th | Late night and overnight service. No service during summer months. |
| 411 | E-Bus Riverside | Crossing Place — Colorado at W 6th | Late night and overnight service. No service during summer months. |
| 412 | E-Bus Main Campus | Guadalupe at W 21st — Colorado at W 6th | Late night and overnight service. No service during summer months. |
| 464 | Capitol MetroRail Connector | Congress at 18th — MLK Jr. Station | Rush hour service. |
| 465 | UT MetroRail Connector | San Jacinto at E 23rd — MLK Jr. Station | |
| 466 | Kramer/Domain MetroRail Connector | Pickle Research Campus — ACC Northridge via Kramer Station | Circular service, runs counterclockwise. Alternates between serving Pickle Research Campus and ACC Northridge. |
| 470 | Manor Flex | 11923 US 290 - Manor Park & Ride | |
| 481 | Night Owl North Lamar | 6th at Congress — N Lamar at W Rundberg | Overnight route. Was named Route 481 Night Owl North until August 2012. |
| 483 | Night Owl Riverside | 6th at Congress — Oltorf at Burton | Overnight route. Was named Route 483 Night Owl Southeast until August 2012. |
| 484 | Night Owl South Lamar | 6th at Congress — Victory at Ben White | Overnight route. Section along South 1st eliminated August 2012 and renamed so South 1st was not in the name. |
| 485 | Night Owl Cameron | 6th at Congress — Rutherford Wal-Mart | Overnight route. Consolidated and replaced part of Route 482 Night Owl East August 2012. Old route along IH-35 and Cameron eliminated. |
| 486 | Night Owl South Congress | 6th at Congress — Pleasant Valley at E William Cannon | Overnight route. Renamed from 486 Night Owl Dove Springs in August 2012 and rerouted off of William Cannongoing east. |
| 490 | HEB Shuttle | E Riverside at Pleasant Valley — RBJ Center / E Cesar Chavez at Trinity | Midday service only, services four days a week. Monday and Thursday service terminates at E Cesar Chavez at Trinity. Wednesday and Friday service terminates at RBJ Center. Renamed from Route 90 HEB Shuttle in February 2001. |
| 491 | Allandale | N Lamar at W 38th — Rockwood at Ashdale | Midday service only, services Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Curb-to-curb paratransit service operating along fixed route. Renamed from Route 151 Allandale (which was created as a split from Route 51 Cameron Road / UT, which was renamed Route 651 in 2004, and was shortened in January 2015, and eliminated in May 2015). One part Renamed Route 161 Delwood, and later Route 492 Delwood. |
| 492 | Delwood | Hancock Center — Rutherford Wal-Mart | Midday service only, services Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Curb-to-curb paratransit service operating along fixed route. Renamed from Route 161 Delwood (which was created as a split from Route 151 Allandale, see above for history). |
| 493 | Eastview | Airport & Oak Springs — Downtown Austin | Midday service only, services Monday. |
Express Routes
Capital Metro's Express services are limited stop services that run between Downtown Austin and the far suburbs. Express routes are designated as routes 900-999, and are served exclusively by buses in the red "MetroExpress" livery (though on occasions they may be served by buses in the regular Capital Metro livery as well). Commuter fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 935 | Tech Ridge Express | E Riverside at I-35 — Tech Ridge Park and Ride | Rush hour service. Service southbound in the morning peak, and northbound in the afternoon peak. Service via I-35 between MLK Jr. and Parmer. Passengers may not board at any point other than at Tech Ridge Park and Ride when travelling southbound. Some trips are interlined with Route 135 at Tech Ridge Park and Ride. Renamed from Route 72 Pflugerville Express in 2000. |
| 980 | North Mopac Express | Dean Keeton at Speedway — Century Park at Ida Ridge | Has two additional trips in each direction to Baghdad at Brown in Round Rock during peak hours only. Passengers may not board at points past Howard station when travelling southbound. |
| 981 | Oak Knoll Express | Dean Keeton at Speedway — Pavilion Park and Ride | Has three trips in each direction only during peak hours. Passengers may not board at points past Guadalupe at W 8th when travelling southbound. |
| 982 | Pavilion Express | W 4th at Guadalupe — Pavilion Park and Ride | Rush hour and midday service. Rush hour service is southbound in the morning peak and northbound in the afternoon peak; midday service is in both directions. Some trips are interlined with Route 970 downtown. Passengers may not board at points past W 38th at N Lamar when travelling in either direction. |
| 985 | Leander/Lakeline Direct | E Riverside at I-35 — Leander Station via Lakeline Station | Rush hour service. Service southbound in the morning peak, and northbound in the afternoon peak. Passengers may not board at points past Lakeline Station when travelling southbound. |
| 987 | Leander/Northwest Express | E Riverside at I-35 — Leander Station via Lakeline Station | Rush hour service. Service southbound in the morning peak, and northbound in the afternoon peak. Passengers may not board at points past Lakeline Station when travelling southbound. |
| 990 | Manor/Elgin Express | W 2nd at Guadalupe — Elgin Depot | Signed as "990 NE Express". Rush hour service. Service westbound in the morning peak, and eastbound in the afternoon peak. Service between Manor Park and Ride and Elgin Depot is provided by Capital Metro on behalf of CARTS; passengers must pay an additional CARTS fare when travelling further east of Manor Park and Ride in either direction. Renamed from Route 103 Manor Express in August 2000. |
MetroRail
Capital Metro's train service, Capital MetroRail, is designated routes in the 500-599 series. Commuter fares apply.
| Route | Name | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 550 | Red Line | Downtown Station — Leander Station | Rush hour service to Leander Station only; midday service terminates at Kramer Station or Lakeline Station. |
Former Routes
| Route | Name | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1L | North Lamar / South Congress | Eliminated in January 2014 due to creation of route 801. Service along Lamar Boulevard replaced by route 275 North Lamar. | |
| 1M | Metric / South Congress | Renamed route 1 Metric / South Congress in January 2014 due to creation of route 801. | |
| 8 | Govalle | Renamed route 300 Govalle in February 2002. | |
| 9 | Enfield / Travis Heights | Originally named route 9 Enfield. In August 2008, as a result of the elimination of all pairs, it replaced route 14 Travis Heights, and the name was changed accordingly. Eliminated in August 2010 due to low ridership. | |
| 11 | Stassney | Shortened and renamed route 111 Stassney in 1999. | |
| 12 | Manchaca | Became an extension of route 3 Burnet in February 2002. | |
| 13 | Congress | Became an extension of route 1 North Lamar in February 2002. | |
| 14 | Travis Heights | Became an extension of route 9 Enfield in August 2008. | |
| 15 | Red River | Became an extension of route 10 South First in August 2008. | |
| 16 | South Fifth / Westgate | Became an extension of route 5 Woodrow in August 2008. | |
| 20 | St. Johns | Split into route 20 Manor and route 120 St. Johns in 1999. | |
| 21 22 | Exposition Chicon | Route 21 runs clockwise, Route 22 runs counterclockwise. Signed as "21 Exposition Loop" and "22 Chicon Loop". Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Parts were replaced by new Route 335, and part was already covered by Routes 17 and 18, and an innovation zone where you can ride for free to the 18 or 335 stops. The remainder was changed from Route 22 to Route 322 as it no longer went through downtown. | |
| 23 | Johnny Morris | Renamed route 323 Anderson in August 2010 and sections eliminated due to low ridership. This was an exception to the rules until it was eliminated. | |
| 24 | Walnut Creek | Transferred to route 8 Govalle and route 39 Koenig Lane. | |
| 25 | Ohlen | Renamed route 325 Ohlen in February 2000. | |
| 26 | Riverside | Became an extension of Route 20 Manor in August 2008. | |
| 27 | Dove Springs | Became an extension of Route 7 Duval in August 2008. | |
| 28 | Ben White | Renamed route 328 Ben White in February 2000. | |
| 29 | Barton Hills | Eliminated in August 2010 due to low ridership. Service along Robert E. Lee Blvd. transferred to route 30 Barton Creek Square. This service was eliminated in August 2012. | |
| 31 | Oltorf | Renamed route 331 Oltorf in February 2001. | |
| 32 | Airport Boulevard | Combined with route 46 to form route 350 Airport in February 2000. | |
| 33 | William Cannon | Renamed route 333 William Cannon in February 2000. | |
| 34 | Great Hills | Eliminated in February 2000 due to low ridership. One part was transferred to route 383 Research. | |
| 35 | |||
| 36 | |||
| 37 | Colony Park | Some trips detoured via I-35 at E 51st. Interlined with Routes 2, 6, and 19 at western terminus. Rerouted on June 3, 2018 over Route 320 due to Remap. As the route no longer went to downtown, it was renamed Route 337. | |
| 38 | South Lamar | Renamed route 338 South Lamar in May 2001. | |
| 39 | Walnut Creek / Koenig | Renamed route 339 Walnut Creek / Koenig in February 2001. | |
| 40 | Parkfield | Renamed route 240 Parkfield in February 2000. Part transferred to route 383 Research. | |
| 41 | |||
| 42 | Quail Valley / Metric | Renamed route 242 Metric in February 2000. Route rerouted off of Quail Valley. | |
| 43 | |||
| 44 | Cedar Bend | Renamed route 244 Cedar Bend in February 2000. | |
| 45 | Copperfield | Renamed route 245 Copperfield in February 2000. | |
| 46 | Bergstrom | Combined with route 32 to form route 350 Airport in February 2000. | |
| 47 | |||
| 48 | Red River / UT | Renamed route 653. | |
| 49 | Parker Lane / UT | Renamed route 673. | |
| 50 | West Campus / UT | Renamed route 642. Number was later reused. | |
| 51 | Cameron Road / UT | Renamed route 651. Number was later reused. | |
| 52 | Pickle Research Campus / UT | Renamed route 652. Number was later reused. | |
| 53 | Enfield Road / UT | Renamed route 662. | |
| 54 | |||
| 55 | Far West / UT | Renamed route 661. | |
| 56 | Intramural Fields / UT | Renamed route 656. | |
| 57 | Lake Austin / UT | Renamed route 663. | |
| 58 | North Riverside / UT | Renamed route 671. | |
| 59 | Wickersham Lane / UT | Renamed route 675. | |
| 60 | |||
| 61 | Dove Springs Flyer | Renamed route 127 Dove Springs Flyer in February 2002. | |
| 62 | Metric Flyer | Renamed route 142 Metric Flyer in February 2002. | |
| 63 | Oak Hill Flyer | Renamed route 171 Oak Hill Flyer in February 2002. | |
| 64 | South Central Flyer | Renamed route 110 South Central Flyer in February 2002. | |
| 65 | Manchaca Flyer | Renamed route 103 Manchaca Flyer in February 2002. | |
| 66 | |||
| 67 | Cameron Road Flyer | Renamed route 137 Colony Park Flyer in February 2002 and rerouted along Route 37 using that route as a base instead. | |
| 68 | |||
| 69 | IRS/VA Express | Eliminated in February 2002 due to low ridership. | |
| 70 | |||
| 71 | Leander Express | Was proposed to be renamed route 985 Leander Express in August 2000, but name change was used in addition to previous name. Split into five routes in August 2001. | |
| 72 | |||
| 73 | |||
| 74 | North Burnet Flyer | Renamed route 174 North Burnet Flyer in February 2001. | |
| 75 | |||
| 76 | |||
| 77 | |||
| 78 | |||
| 79 | |||
| 80 | Red River / Cameron Road / UT | Renamed route 684. | |
| 81 | Intramural Fields / Far West / UT | Renamed route 681. | |
| 82 | Burton Drive / Parker Lane / UT | Renamed route 682. | |
| 83 | |||
| 84 | Burton Drive / UT | Renamed route 674. | |
| 85 | Wickersham Lane / North Riverside / UT | Renamed route 680. | |
| 86 | Congress/Capitol 'Dillo | Eliminated in May 2000 due to a restructuring of 'Dillo service. | |
| 87 | ACC/Lavaca 'Dillo | Eliminated in May 2000 due to a restructuring of 'Dillo service. | |
| 88 | Old Pecan Street 'Dillo | Renamed Route 451 Silver 'Dillo in May 2000 due to a restructuring of 'Dillo service. | |
| 89 | 'Dillo Dash | Eliminated in May 2000 due to a restructuring of 'Dillo service. | |
| 90 | HEB Shuttle | Renamed route 490 HEB Shuttle in February 2001. | |
| 100 | MetroAirport Flyer | Served primarily by buses carrying the "MetroAirport" livery, though may on occasion be served by buses in the regular livery. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Route 20 serves entire route. | |
| 101 | North Lamar Limited | Eliminated in January 2014 due to creation of route 801. | |
| 102 | Lago Vista Feeder | Renamed route 214 Lago Vista Feeder in August 2000. | |
| 103 | Northeast Express | Renamed route 990 Northeast Express in August 2000. Number later reused. | |
| 110 | South Central Flyer | Rush hour service. Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Passengers could not board at points beyond S 1st at Stassney when travelling northbound. Passengers could not board at points beyond S 1st at Barton Springs when travelling southbound. Renamed from Route 64 South Central Flyer in February 2002. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. | |
| 111 | Stassney | Renamed route 311 Stassney in February 2000. Number later reused. | |
| 120 | St. Johns | Renamed route 320 St. Johns in February 2001. | |
| 122 | Four Points Limited | Capital Metro headquarters — Lakeline Station via 3M | Rush hour service. Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap, and low ridership. |
| 127 | Dove Springs Flyer | Rush hour service. Service northbound in the morning peak, and southbound in the afternoon peak. Service via I-35 between E Stassney and E Cesar Chavez. Passengers could not board at points beyond E Stassney at I-35 when travelling northbound. Passengers could not board at points beyond E Cesar Chavez at Trinity when travelling southbound. Renamed from Route 61 Dove Springs Flyer in February 2002. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. | |
| 137 | Colony Park Flyer | Eliminated due to low ridership. | |
| 151 | Allandale | Split from Route 51; renamed Route 491 Allandale in January 2014. | |
| 161 | Delwood | Split from Route 151; renamed Route 492 Delwood in January 2014. | |
| 174 | North Burnet Limited | Eliminated due to low ridership. | |
| 201 | |||
| 202 | Battle Bend | Eliminated in January 2010 due to low ridership. | |
| 203 | Buckingham Circulator | Renamed Route 252 Buckingham Slaughter and western part eliminated in August 2002. | |
| 204 | Southwest Oaks Circulator | Renamed Route 252 Buckingham Slaughter and western part eliminated in August 2002. | |
| 205 | East Lakeline | Eliminated due to low ridership in 1999. | |
| 206 | West Lakeline | Eliminated due to low ridership in 1999. | |
| 238 | Westgate | Created from part of Route 338. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Now Route 318. | |
| 240 | Rutland | North Lamar Transit Center — 2501 Parmer / Market | Renamed from route 40 Parkfield in February 2000; section on Kramer eliminated and section on Braker transferred to new Route 392 in February 2002. Rerouted north on Parkfield and on part of Route 244 Cedar Bend. Rerouted several times, until August 2010. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. |
| 242 | Metric | Eliminated in January 2006 as part became a branch of Route 1 N. Lamar (1M Metric, existing route became 1L N. Lamar). and rest renamed Route 243 Wells Branch. | |
| 244 | Cedar Bend | Eliminated in February 2002 as part was transferred to Route 3 N. Burnet and part was transferred to Route 240 Parkfield. | |
| 245 | Copperfield | Eliminated in February 2002 as part was transferred to new route 392 Braker and rest redundant with Route 1 N. Lamar (changed to 1 N. Lamar/ S. Congress that day). | |
| 252 | Buckingham Slaughter | Became Route 201 Southpark Meadows and section through Buckingham eliminated due to low ridership in January 2006. | |
| 275 | North Lamar Feeder | North Lamar Transit Center - Tech Ridge Park and Ride | Created from part of Route 1 in 2014. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to remap. |
| 320 | St. Johns | Burton at Oltorf — Village Center | Renamed from route 120 St. Johns in February 2001. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to remap. Now covered by new Route 322, rerouted Route 300, and
new Route 337. |
| 328 | Ben White | Renamed from 28 Ben White in February 2000. Eliminated August 2010 and service west of Congress Avenue rerouted to Congress Transit Center and became an extension of route 30 Barton Creek Square. Service east of Congress Avenue remained and rerouted to Congress Transit Center and renamed route 228 Burleson. | |
| 331 | Oltorf | High-frequency service (15 minutes weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays) Renamed from Route 31 Oltorf in February 2001. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. Transferred to Routes 300 and 228. | |
| 338 | Lamar / 45th | Was interlined with Route 311 at southern terminus. Renamed from Route 38 South Lamar in May 2001 due to rerouting away from downtown. Later, one section was renumbered Route 238 Westgate. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap. | |
| 339 | Walnut Creek / Koenig | Renamed from route 39 Walnut Creek / Koenig in February 2001. Eliminated August 2010; east of IH-35 became part of the new 323 Anderson and West of IH-35 became part of the 320 St. Johns. | |
| 391 | Parmer | Eliminated due to low ridership. | |
| 420 | Convention Shuttle North | ||
| 421 | Convention Shuttle South | ||
| 422 | Convention Shuttle Town Lake | ||
| 430 | Pease Elem & Kealing | ||
| 431 | Campbell Elem & Kealing | ||
| 432 | TX Academy & Kealing | ||
| 434 | |||
| 435 | |||
| 440 | Tech Ridge Circulator | ||
| 450 | Orange 'Dillo | ||
| 451 | Silver 'Dillo | Renamed from route 88 Old Pecan Street Dillo in May 2000. | |
| 455 | Red 'Dillo | ||
| 456 | Gold 'Dillo | ||
| 460 | Downtown - Congress | ||
| 461 | Yellow 'Dillo | number later reused | |
| 461 | Downtown - Guadalupe | ||
| 462 | Blue 'Dillo | Number later reused (but eliminated again). | |
| 462 | Downtown - Riverside | ||
| 463 | Starlight 'Dillo | ||
| 464 | Moonlight 'Dillo | Number later reused. | |
| 470 | Tour the Town | ||
| 482 | Night Owl East | Consolidated with route 485 Night Owl Cameron and section along Rosewood east of Airport, Springdale, 7th and other roads to Downtown eliminated. | |
| 495 | Dell | ||
| 499 | Day Labor | ||
| 970 | Lantana Express | W 4th at Guadalupe — Oak Hill Park and Ride | Rush hour reverse-peak service. Service southbound in the morning peak, and northbound in the afternoon peak. Some trips are interlined with Route 982 downtown. Eliminated on June 3, 2018 due to Remap, and low ridership. |
| 983 | North US 183 Express | Eliminated in January 2018 due to duplication with Routes 982 and 987. | |
| 984 | Northwest Direct via IH35 | Consolidated with Route 986 below to form Route 985 Leander/Lakeline Direct. | |
| 985 | Leander Express | Alternative name, but still referred to as Route 71 Leander Express. Split into five routes in August 2001. | |
| 986 | Leander Direct via IH35 | Consolidated with Route 984 above to form Route 985 Leander/Lakeline Direct. |
Vehicles
The majority of the current bus fleet consists of vehicles produced by two manufacturers, Gillig and New Flyer, with only relatively small generational design variations, most visibly in the use of flip-dot destination displays on older series versus LED displays on newer buses. A few smaller series of buses were acquired from other manufacturers, notably Optima (used preferentially on MetroRail shuttles) and MCI (used on express services). Older bus series produced by TMC and Blue Bird are no longer in service.
Capital MetroRapid
In January 2014, Capital Metro launched a service branded "MetroRapid," utilizing articulated buses operating in shared lanes with automobile traffic. Service on the first route, MetroRapid North Lamar/South Congress (Route 801), began on January 26, 2014.[37] It replaced existing bus Routes 1L and 1M, as well as the 101 Express, which traveled along the same corridor. Route 801 drew protest from citizens for implementing high premium fares until 2017, as well as decreasing the frequency of Route 1 Metric/South Congress.[3]
A second route, MetroRapid Burnet/South Lamar (Route 803), serves a total of 24 stations between The Domain and Westgate.[38]
Capital MetroRail
In 2004, after four years of additional lobbying by Capital Metro, Capital Metro won approval to build a commuter rail on existing freight rail lines. In September 2005, Capital Metro awarded a contract to Stadler Rail to build six diesel-electric rail cars for the system,[39] each possessing a capacity of up to 230 passengers. The initial cost for this rail line was planned to be $90 million; however, continued construction problems and safety issues caused the project to exceed budget and to be delayed.[40][41] The Capital MetroRail opened March 22, 2010.
Fare structure
Capital Metro operates routes using three different fare classes: Local, Commuter and Access. Fares are valid for a single trip only; Capital Metro does not issue bus transfers. However, Capital Metro offers passengers an unlimited ride day pass, good for travel on any route of the same or lower fare class, for the price of two single fares of the corresponding fare class. 24- hour, 7-day passes and 31-day passes are also available for frequent riders.
Passes may be purchased in physical form in select retailers, or at MetroRail stations (Commuter fare class only). Passes are also available for purchase when boarding a bus for the same or higher fare class. Passes may be purchased in digital form via the Capital Metro app.
All fare information is current as of January 2017.[42]
| Fare Type | Local | Commuter |
|---|---|---|
| Single Ride† | $1.25 | $3.50 |
| Reduced Single Ride† | $0.60 | $1.75 |
| Day Pass† | $2.50 | $7 |
| Reduced Day Pass† | $1.25 | $3.50 |
| 7-Day Pass | $11.25 | $27.50 |
| 31-Day Pass | $41.25 | $96.25 |
| Reduced 31-Day Pass | $20.60 | $48.10 |
| A † indicates a fare a passenger can pay once on board a vehicle. | ||
Holders of valid Reduced Fare IDs issued by Capital Metro (to seniors 65 and over, Medicare card holders, persons with disabilities, students 6-18 with valid school identification, and active and reserve military with valid ID) may ride Capital Metro services for half the listed price. Capital Metro also offer stored value tickets in denominations of $20 and $40.
Holders of physical passes must swipe the magnetic stripe on their pass when boarding a bus. Holders of stored value tickets must tap their tickets when boarding a bus. Holders of digital passes must scan their passes in a QR code reader aboard MetroRapid buses, or show the smartphone app red screen to the driver on all other buses. MetroRail operates on a proof-of-payment system; passengers must show proof upon request. Holders of the Reduced Fare ID may be asked to show Id.
Fares are waived for passengers under 6 with an accompanying adult (limit 3), as well as emergency and military personnel in uniform. Through separate paid agreements with Capital Metro, students, faculty, and staff of both the University of Texas and Austin Community College, as well as City of Austin employees, may ride all Capital Metro services for no charge with valid identification.
Capital MetroAccess, the paratransit system operated by Capital Metro, operates on a separate fare scale:
| Fare Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Single Ride | $1.75 |
| 10-Ride Ticket Book | $17.50 |
| Monthly Pass | $46.50 |
Persons eligible to use MetroAccess services may ride on Capital Metro buses and trains at the reduced rate. Holders of the MetroAccess monthly pass may use their pass as a Capital Metro 31-Day Commuter pass.
Finances and governance
Board of directors
In 2010 the total number of board members was increased from seven to eight. The Texas Legislature also reduced the number of elected officials who are required to serve on the board, and instituted new requirements regarding the professional experience of certain appointees. The board consists of three members appointed by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, including an elected official; one member representing the small cities in Capital Metro's service area; a member each appointed by the Travis County Commissioners and Williamson County commissioners; and two members appointed by the Austin City Council, in which one must be a member of the Austin City Council.[43]
Labor relations
As a public entity, Capital Metro is prohibited by Texas law from entering into a traditional collective bargaining agreement with a labor union in the United States. In 1991, however, to comply fully with a state law prohibiting public entities from supervising unionized employees with collective bargaining rights,[44] the Capital Metro board determined that its unionized employees and their supervisors should be transferred to a separate non-profit company. In January 1992, Capital Metro created Startran, Inc., a private entity that acts as the authority's agent in managing its unionized workforce.[45]
On the other hand, Metro drivers and mechanics are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union, a major labor union representing workers in the transit system that boasts over 188,000 members representing workers.[46][47] StarTran and the AUT have in the past had troubled contract negotiations, that most recently resulted in a general strike in November 2008.[48]
In 2008, StarTran voted to begin a general strike, despite the fact that StarTran employees were already the highest paid bus operators in the state.[49] Beginning on November 5, 2008, the strike caused the transit agency to reduce its fixed and paratransit service levels, particularly impacting Austin residents who had to use public transit.[50] During the strike, the agency initially provided only those routes on the contingency map for a reduced number of hours but added others as resources became available. The Sunset Advisory Commission released its report on Capital Metro in April 2010.
Capital Metro also contracts with two other service providers for bus operations, First Transit, Veolia Transport and the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS). First Transit provides shuttle service for University of Texas students, faculty and staff.[12]
Budget
| Operating Revenues | $28.04 M |
| Passenger Fares | $9 M |
| Contract Fares | $6.76 M |
| MetroRail | $495 K |
| Freight Rail | $11.77 M |
| Operating Expenses | $164.70 M |
| Non-Operating Revenues | $178.23 M |
| Build Central Texas Program | $3.7 M |
| Change in Net Assets | $9.36 M |
Future expansion
Plans have been circulating since a failed light rail vote in 2000 on urban rail in Austin. A vote on urban rail, a light rail or a streetcar system, was initially planned to be put to the voters as early as 2012.[52] The light rail expansion plan was presented to voters but failed in 2014. Capital Metro began bus service to Round Rock in summer 2017.[53]
See also
References
- ↑ "Wear: Bus overhaul, while hurting some, needed to blunt ridership plunge". My Statesman. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ↑ "Randy Clark, President/CEO". Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- 1 2 Dunbar, Wells (31 January 2014). "Is Capital Metro's New MetroRapid Service Leaving Bus Riders Behind?". kut.org. KUT News. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ News 8 Austin Staff (February 18, 2010). "Capital Metro: Mass Transit, Mass Confusion". News 8 Austin. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ↑ Perone, Jennifer and Joel Volinski (2003). "Fare, Free or Something in Between" (PDF). Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Public Transit, Public Trust". John Sharp, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ↑ "Sharp Report Offers 147 Recommendations to Improve Operations and Restore Public Trust in Capital Metro" (Press release). Texas State Comptroller. 1998-07-15.
- ↑ "A Critical Analysis of the Austin Light Rail Proposal" (PDF). Texas Public Policy Foundation. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ↑ Vess, Jessica (March 5, 2010). "Capital Metro rail to open March 22". KVUE Television. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/woman-hit-by-capmetro-bus-dies
- ↑ https://www.statesman.com/news/local/cap-metro-ponders-running-driverless-shuttles-downtown-austin/vnONZParQbZ2fzzMLboRIN/
- 1 2 "History: Capital Metro's Life Story". Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ Gregor, Katherine (April 16, 2010). "Cap Metro: Doing the Quarter Cent Shuffle". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ Wear, Ben (January 27, 2010). "Capital Metro Balks at Paying Debt to City". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ↑ Gregor, Katherine (April 16, 2010). "Gone and Quartered: Stiffed on Capital Metro money, the city scrambles to fund another $51 million for transportation projects". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
- ↑ "Interactive Maps". Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved 2011-06-23.
- ↑
- ↑ Ben Wear. "Cap Metro opens door to suburban transit service". Austin America-Statesman. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-07-01.
- ↑ "Shuttles". UT Parking and Transportation Services. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ↑ Wear, Ben (July 18, 2010). "UT's Shuttle Subsidy Under Scrutiny". Austin American=Statesman. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ "A Battle on the Shuttle". The Austin Chronicle. May 21, 2004. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Capital Metro: Is It Worth the Wait?". Cactus Yearbook. May 1990. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Capital Metro: Is It Worth the Wait?". Cactus Yearbook. May 1990. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "City buses take over UT shuttle system". The Daily Texan. August 10, 1989.
- ↑ "Capital Metro debut earns mixed reviews". The Daily Texan. August 29, 1989.
- ↑ "Shuttle drivers argue need for some "friendly sounds' on". The Daily Texan. August 29, 1989.
- ↑ "DAVE wins bid to run run shuttle system". The Daily Texan. June 3, 1991.
- 1 2 "Transit Union Takes Bus Company to the End of the Line". UT Watch. March 1999. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Shuttle disputes go round and round". The Daily Texan. February 17, 2004. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Cap Metro hires new maintenance contractor". The Daily Texan. January 26, 1999.
- ↑ "Cap Metro Switches UT Shuttle Providers". The Austin Chronicle. March 4, 2005. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Cap Metro warns rowdy E-Bus riders". The Daily Texan. March 25, 2010. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ↑ "Sixth Street shuttle bus to start running tonight". The Daily Texan. September 19, 2002.
- ↑ "Special Services: Getting Around Downtown Bus Routes 400-499". Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, Texas. Retrieved 2011-06-23.
- ↑ "Shuttle to take partiers downtown". The Daily Texan. August 28, 2002.
- ↑ "E-Bus moves toward stricter policies, monitoring". The Daily Texan. April 1, 2010. Archived from the original on April 3, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ↑ Aaron, Michael (26 January 2014). "Capital Metro rolls out MetroRapid, new fares". kxan.com. KXAN News. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ "Routes and Destinations". Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Archived from the original on 2014-03-24. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
- ↑ "Stadler Wins Commuter Rail Car Award with Capital Metro" (Press release). Stadler. September 23, 2005. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007.
- ↑ Wear, Ben. "Ding, Ding, Ding Goes the Commuter Train". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ↑ Wear, Ben (2008-09-30). "Feds OK Cap Metro's passenger rail cars". The Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 2008-10-03.
- ↑ "MetroRapid fares are going down! (And all Flyer routes, too!) - Capital Metro". Retrieved December 2, 2016.
- ↑ "Changes to the Capital Metro Board". Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ "StarTran, Inc., Docket No. 02-1140". US Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. July 23, 2003. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ Robuck, Bob (April 7, 2010). "Mass Transit, Mass Confusion: Problems with labor". News 8 Austin. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ "ATU 1549 History". Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
- ↑ "History of the UT Shuttle System". Archived from the original on 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
- ↑ Austin Business Journal staff (November 7, 2008). "Capital Metro Adding Routes as Strike Continues". Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ↑ "VIEWPOINT: "Forecasting a bus strike"". The Daily Texan. August 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ↑ "Contingency Plan: "Core Routes"" (PDF). Capital Metro. November 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ↑ "Approved Annual Budget Fiscal Year 2010, pg. 41" (PDF). Capital Metropolitan Transport Authority. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
- ↑ Lee Nichols. "Why Rail?". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
- ↑ http://www.kvue.com/news/traffic/cap-metro-round-rock-service/426091848
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