Capital Metro provides public transportation for the Austin, Texas area. In 2012, it traveled nearly 11 million miles and provided over 33 million rides, transporting 120,000 riders each weekday. Capital Metro is launching a new MetroRapid bus rapid transit system in 2014 to provide faster, more frequent service along two major corridors. MetroRapid will use limited stops, signal priority, and transit lanes to reduce travel times by up to 20% compared to existing local routes. It is funded by a $38 million federal grant and aims to improve mobility and economic development in the Austin region.

1. April 14, 2012
Driving Progress:

2. Capital Metro At a Glance
Our business is connecting
people, jobs and communities by providing
quality transportation choices.
 We traveled nearly 11 million miles last year
and gave 33 million rides.
 We move 120,000 riders each weekday.

3. Driving Progress in 2012
 MetroAirport route enhancements
 Manor Park & Ride opening
 MetroBike shelter opening at Kramer Station
 New bus stop signage
 New website
 Hydrogen bus/CNG
 MetroRail Friday/Saturday night service
 Night Owl improvements
 MetroRapid funding agreement

5. MetroRapid purpose
• Provide high-quality, faster, more frequent and
reliable transit for major corridors
• $47.6 million total project cost
• $38 million though FTA grant

6. Part of a larger plan
 Included in 2004
All Systems Go!
long-range transit plan
 Reflected in regional
Project Connect
planning effort

7. What Is MetroRapid?
Convenient, high-capacity transit
• High frequency service
• Limited stops
• Travels 37 miles
• 77 stations
• Serves the densest population area and
highest ridership markets in region
• 40 new highly branded vehicles
• Two lines:
801: N. Lamar/S. Congress
803: Burnet/S. Lamar
• Less than $50 M

8. MetroRapid Benefits
• Real-time arrival info (web, stations, aps)
• Improved travel time and reliability
• Sleek new vehicles
• Custom stations (seating, shade canopy,
customer information)
• Faster:
Fewer stops
Signal Priority
Transit Priority lanes
• Real time = less waiting

9. Where will it go?
Crestview Station SoCo & SoLa
The Domain Westgate
The University of Texas Chinatown
Pickle Research Center St. Edward’s
The Triangle Southpark Meadows
Seton Hospital Capitol & State Offices
Downtown North Loop
Ladybird Lake Auditorium Shores

10. MetroRapid Features
 More frequent: 10-minute peak service, 15-minute off-peak
 More cost-efficient:(reduces per passenger trip costs as much
as 40%)
 More service (more frequent over longer hours)
 More economic opportunities (TOD)
 More customers

11. Limited Stops
North Lamar
Current Route 1L Boardings: Transit Center
North Lamar/South Congress
University of Texas
Oltorf/Congress
Southpark Meadows
Lamar/Rundberg
Downtown
Future Rapid stop boardings per day

12. Rapid stops are high-volume stops
rapid stop boardings

13. Faster Service
Sample Trip:
NLTC to SCTC
Route 1
54 min
Route 101 (limited-stop flyer)
46 min
20%
MetroRapid (801 proposed) faster
43 min

14. Faster Service
Sample Trip:
Westgate to UT
Route 3
31 min
MetroRapid 20%
(803 proposed) faster
24 min

15. Service Levels
 Faster, more frequent service translates to increased
passenger capacity on two of the busiest travel corridors.
>35% >50%
increase increase
Current Service Levels
Along N. Lamar/S. Congress
Along Burnet/S. Lamar

16. Timeline
 Rte 801 (N. Lamar/S. Congress)
Early 2014
 Rte 803 (Burnet/S. Lamar)
Late 2014
2014

17. The Future
Connecting
a community &
its people.

18. Questions?

19. MetroRapid
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 Downtown Stations:
4th
– Republic Square
– Wooldridge Square
– Capitol
– Museum District

20. MetroRapid
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 Downtown Stations:
8th
– Republic Square
– Wooldridge Square
– Capitol
– Museum District

21. MetroRapid
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 Downtown Stations:
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– Republic Square
12th
– Wooldridge Square
– Capitol
– Museum District

22. MetroRapid
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 Downtown Stations:
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– Republic Square
– Wooldridge Square 16th
– Capitol
– Museum District