Portrait by Diego Huerta for 31K Portraits for Peace exhibition.

Something special is coming to Austin beginning next Friday: 31K retratos por la paz/portraits for peace, a powerful exhibit featuring the photography of Diego Huerta that opens Jan. 27 at the Mexic-Arte Museum.

The 31K project chronicles the hope for peace that still remains in Mexico despite the ongoing drug wars that have killed 31,000 people. From the Mexic-Arte website:

Diego Huerta and project partner Daniela Gutiérrez have travelled throughout Mexico and arrived at cities like Guadalajara, Campeche, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, Ciudad de México, Mazatlan, and Baja California.

For over 180 days Diego and Daniela have cataloged their project on both their website and Facebook pages providing followers with current photos and video diary excerpts from their national journeys throughout Mexico. 31K’s large-scale vivid photographs portray the breadth of lives lost and the hope for peace that still remains in Mexico. With each 31K photograph Diego presents the panoply of Mexican life. Each colorful image captures a vignette of the Mexican people from students, families, street performers, artisans, businessmen, and priests.

A visit to 31kproject.com is a chills-inducing experience, with poignant video diaries and photos from each day of Diego’s and Daniela’s travels. While you’re out and about around town or onboard the bus, you might see the exhibit preview on both the outside and inside of some of our buses. Capital Metro is a supporter of this fantastic exhibit.

Here are the details of the opening reception:

January 27
6 -7 p.m. Members Reception
7 -9 p.m. Members and General Public Reception
Admission: Free for Mexic-Arte Museum Members/$10 for non-members
Getting to the museum: Mexic-Arte Museum is on the corner of 5th and Congress. Ride 1L/1M, 5, 7, 10, 20, 30 and 101

Follow Diego and Daniela’s 31K Project on their official website and on their facebook page.

For many people, New Year’s is a time of reflection and introspection. There’s something about wrapping up a year and anticipating the next that just lends itself perfectly to resolutions and goal-setting. What went well in 2011? What do I want to do differently in 2012?

If any of your resolutions for 2012 pertain to saving money, getting healthier, or being kinder to our planet, consider adding Capital Metro to your bucket list for 2012.

SAVE SOME GREEN
Conservatively, you can save a couple hundred bucks a month on gas by taking public transportation instead of driving your car. It costs just $1 per trip on the bus, and buying a multi-ride pass will bring the cost per trip down even more. Calculate your savings. Check out our low fares.

GET LEAN
I’m always fretting over my weight and trying to find time to incorporate more exercise into my daily routine. You may not immediately connect public transportation with exercise, but consider that every single transit rider starts and ends as a pedestrian. Think about it: you walk (or bike) to your stop, and on the tail end, you walk to your destination. Over time that walking adds up to pounds and inches.

GO GREEN
Recycling is great, but if you’re ready to take it to the next level, ride Capital Metro. Taking public transportation instead of driving your own car is the single greatest action you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. Calculate your carbon savings by riding public transportation.

If you want to make a difference in 2012 on the environment or on your waistline or bottom line, mosey over to Capital Metro’s online store and purchase a transit pass today. Here’s to a great beginning to 2012.

Capital Metro has been pleased to see an increase of transit ridership that includes more cyclists. We are looking at first/last mile opportunities to help cyclists and other passengers to connect to/from the trains and at bus transfer areas.  Information we get from this survey will tell us how we can provide better bike access to our services. 

While providing optimum services to all of our passengers, we want accommodate the needs of our passengers that connect by bike.   To do that, we are taking steps to address cyclist demand in a variety of ways:

We do allow for folding bikes on the buses. Standard bikes are not allowed on the interior of our buses due to space and liability reasons.  We have researched practices of other transit agencies throughout the country and have found this to be true of most other transit agencies aboard standard buses.  We are instead working on convenient options that will enhance bike/bus connections.  

We will be adding secure/enclosed bike storage at some of our transit stations and park and rides soon.  The first one will be at Kramer Station this spring.  It will consist of a fully-enclosed parking area for 24 bikes that is accessible by a secured access card to provide a higher level of security and protection for bikes.  For some, it will offer a preferred alternative to transporting bikes on the trains and buses. Six more of them will be installed in 2012-13 throughoutAustin.  We are also working with the city ofAustin’s implementation of their bike-share program. 

Capital Metro continues to improve safety, access, and accessibility to stops and crossings, to add bike parking at key stops, and to implement special projects like the shared use ped/bike trail construction from Highland Mall (Denson Dr.) to Lamar Blvd. to enhance pedestrian and cyclist connections to transit options.  These and other efforts will enable more people to ride their bikes to connect to transit opportunities that can best serve their lifestyle. 

Commuting by bike and transit is a growing trend in Austin and throughout the country.  From 1995 to 2000 public transportation rose by 38% in the US–APTA 2009; from 1990 to 2007 bike trips to work increased by 32% –US Census 2009a/2009b.

Bicycling supports transit use by extending the catchment area of transit stops far beyond walking range and at much lower cost than neighborhood feeder buses and Park and Ride facilities for cars.  Public transportation helps cyclists make longer trips by bike.  Public transportation offers a convenient alternative when cyclists encounter bad weather, difficult topography, gaps in the bike network, and mechanical failure.

Some of the main measures that promote bike/transit integration in the US include bike parking at rail stations and stops, multi-function bike stations with parking, bike racks on buses, bikes on board vehicles (mostly rail), and bike paths, lanes and on–street routes that lead to public transit stations/stops.  – Journal of Public Transportation Vol 12, No. 3 2009

Data Analyst Brad Weaver, Vice Chair John Langmore and CEO Linda S. Watson met Mr. Ferguson (seated) and his caseworker Roy Salazar (right) at Plaza Saltillo for a train ride.

We posted a story from the Austin American-Statesman earlier about James Ferguson, who was selected for the newspaper’s annual Season for Caring and who is a train buff. 

Mr. Ferguson, with his new ball cap and the "official" MetroRail jacket.

After the ride, railroad folks from Capital Metro and our partners at Herzog and Watco presented Mr. Ferguson with some giftcards, bus passes and some railroad gifts, including the official MetroRail train engineer jacket. (I’m envious of the jacket!)

A happy Mr. Ferguson, in the cab of the MetroRail train.

A water tank was set up to act as a delivery truck leaking fuel. Five other employees were positioned around the scenario to observe and take notes.

The response team consisting of a parts clerk, fleet mechanic, service island attendant and building maintenance technician briefly devised a plan and went to work. They immediately used spill socks from the emergency spill kit to stop the “fuel” from reaching the storm water drain nearby. It only took a few minutes to stop and contain the leak. Absorbent was used to soak up the “fuel” and it was disposed of properly.

Overall, the drill went well and the team followed the emergency spill plan. However, there is always room for improvement. The observers made some recommendations that will be used to update the spill plan and be incorporated into safety training.

As Capital Metro implements an Environmental and Sustainability Management System, we must review and test our emergency procedures. The results of this drill will help us to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent or mitigate any environmental hazards during the fuel delivery process. As we move forward with the program, we’ll be testing other areas of operation that have a potential for environmental impacts.

The response team works to contain the leak with absorbent socks.

A fuel delivery truck arrives during the drill. The driver waits and watches as the team puts absorbent on the "fuel".

Over the next several months, the Project Connect team will reach out to the public to build consensus and answer the following questions:

1. How will high capacity transit components in the CAMPO 2035 Regional Transportation Plan work as a system?
2. How will our region organize to develop and operate the system?
3. How will we pay for the system over the long term?

This week, the public is invited to attend one of three open houses to learn more, ask questions and provide valuable feedback:

• Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m. at Bowie High School (4103 Slaughter Lane)
• Thursday, Dec 8 from 5-8 p.m. at Anderson High School (8403 Mesa Drive)
• Friday, Dec 9 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Austin City Hall Atrium (301 W. 2nd Street)

Want to know more? Visit connectcentraltexas.com. 

It’s great news, and we’re excited to promote healthier air and cleaner bus stops for our riders by discouraging tobacco use. But, the most exciting part of the new signage project for riders has flown under the radar: incredible new methods for getting next scheduled bus information, specific to every single bus stop in the system.

Riders will begin to see a sign like this at their bus stops beginning in December. The sign will be in addition to the current bus route signs at stops.

Check out the new sign that will be gracing your bus stop in the new year. Note that the top 1/5 or so of the sign is the “No tobacco use within 15 feet” message. And the remaining 4/5 of the sign outlines how one can use his phone four different ways to get schedule information by stop.

Here’s how it works: every bus stop in the system has a unique ID number.  The bus stop at 11th and Guadalupe is #504, for example. With your phone and that ID number, you can:

1. Text: Text the bus stop ID number to Dadnab^TM at (512) 981-6221, and receive a reply text with the next scheduled bus arrival times for the buses that serve that stop.
2.  Scan the QR Code: Scan the square barcode on the sign using a QR reader app (many free readers are available from your phone’s apps marketplace), and next bus times and a route map will be displayed on your smartphone.
3. Open our mobile site: Open capmetro.org/stopid/ from your phone and input your bus stop ID number to pull up a mobile-friendly website with the next bus arrivals.   
4. Call the Go Line at 512-474-1200. Use the automated voice system 24 hours/day or talk to a real person weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on weekends, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This new information method has been in the works for a number of years, but we haven’t had the funding available before to implement it across the system. Because of our commitment to reduce secondhand smoke at bus stops, we are able to leverage federal grant funding to implement the signage. The entire cost of the signage, hardware and installation (about $230K) will be paid for through a grant from the city of Austin under the national Communities Putting Prevention to Work. Later in FY2012, Capital Metro will use additional local funding to incorporate Braille on the signs, too, greatly expanding the usability of our system for riders with visual impairments.

There are a ton of other benefits, too. First off, we begin to rack up the savings with the very first service change, because the signs will not need to be updated when routes or frequencies change. Over 5 years, we could save up to $100,000 on materials alone! Additionally, the signs are slated for installation at 100 percent of Capital Metro bus stops. Currently, schedule information is available at fewer than 50 percent of bus stops.

Riders may begin to notice the new signs at their bus stops beginning in December, and we expect the signs to be 100 percent installed by the end of February.

You might be thinking, what if you don’t have a phone? No worries. Although a 2010 survey of Capital Metro riders found that 80 percent carry a cell phone when they ride, Capital Metro will continue to provide free route brochures and system maps onboard the bus, and for $3, customers can purchase the newest edition of Destinations, the official Capital Metro schedule book.

We invite you to test out the various information options featured on the sign and let us know what you think.

Every year, Capital Metro and H-E-B team up to offer transportation for the event. Trot over to one of these stores and pick-up a free day pass (while supplies last) that’s valid only for the day of the feast:

• H-E-B #1 – 2701 E. 7th St.
• H-E-B #3 – 1000 E. 41st St.
• H-E-B #8 – 2400 S. Congress Ave.
• H-E-B #12 – 2508 E. Riverside Dr.
• H-E-B #15 – 9414 N. Lamar

Then stuff your address into our trip planner to find the best route to get to 900 Barton Springs Road.

With the generous help of hundreds of people from H-E-B and other community volunteers, the Feast of Sharing will serve a bountiful Thanksgiving feast to more than 13,000 people from Austin, Travis County and surrounding communities.

If you aren’t quite ready for Thanksgiving, maybe this list will put you in the mood. The feast will include:

•  3,625 pounds of turkey
•  3,200 pounds of mashed potatoes
•  3,200 pounds of vegetables
•  170 gallons of gravy
•  1,050 pumpkin pies
•  13,000 dinner rolls

If you or someone you know needs a helping hand getting to the Feast of Sharing, please stop by HE-B for a free pass. And have a happy Thanksgiving!

In 2010, more than 2,000 people enjoyed a home-cooked turkey dinner at the Fiestas Patrias of Austin Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This year's free event is on Nov. 19.

This past week Capital Metro CEO Linda S. Watson discovered something wonderful about a coworker when she was visiting our facilities to participate in our annual Thanksgiving meal. MetroAccess Lead Service Coordinator Julius Velasquez, who’s been working for Capital Metro more than 20 years, is also the driving force behind a local non-profit organization that has contributed more than $600,000 to the East Austin community.

For the past ten years, Julius has been president of Fiestas Patrias of Austin, which hosts the annual Diez y Seiz and Cinco de Mayo festivals at Fiesta Gardens. In addition to promoting Mexican-American culture, Fiestas Patrias funds scholarships for college bound Hispanics and other community programs, such as the annual community Thanksgiving dinner (more on that in a minute).

MetroAccess Lead Service Coordinator Julius Velasquez, left, with his dad Gilbert Velasquez. Gilbert founded Fiestas Patrias of Austin in 1978.

Fiestas Patrias is a family affair; it was founded by Julius’ father, Gilbert Velasquez, in 1978. Both father and son live (and have lived) within the neighborhood their organization serves.

You can get a taste–quite literally–of what Fiestas Patrias has to offer, at the 16th annual community Thanksgiving dinner, this Saturday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meal will be served at the A.B. Cantu Recreation Center, 2100 E. Third Street. Pick up routes 17, 21/22, or 320 for a ride to the center. This is a FREE home-cooked traditional Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, whole kernel corn and green beans. About 100 volunteers, including some of Julius’ coworkers at MetroAccess, will cook and serve about 2,000 meals this coming Saturday. Awesome.

Fiesta Patrias of Austin Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Saturday, November 19, 2011
A.B. Cantu Recreation Center, 2100 E. Third Street (routes 17, 21/22, or 320)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
FREE FREE FREE