A Cap Remap Explainer: Rerouting onto Major Corridors

On By Capital MetroIn Cap Remap14 Comments

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The biggest improvement Cap Remap will bring to our bus system is the increase in frequency on so many routes. We will triple the number of Local bus routes in our High-Frequency Network, going from four to 12 (in addition to the two MetroRapid lines). 

Another big change will be the rerouting of some buses off neighborhood streets and onto busier corridors. This is being done for several reasons and will benefit the system overall, but it will definitely require some adjustments for our customers, many of whom will have to walk a couple of extra blocks to get to the better service. 

Our service planners like this kind of change because it allows buses to travel on busier streets that are more pedestrian friendly and conducive to transit use. It also increases the connectivity of the network since traveling on major corridors increases the transfer points between High-Frequency routes. 

Our bus operators like this kind of change because neighborhood streets tend to be narrower and often twist and turn in ways that connector corridors don’t. Put directly, it’s simpler and safer to drive on a street like 51st Street than on a neighborhood street like Rogge Lane. 

Another reality of Cap Remap is that we’re a public agency working with limited resources. To provide so much High-Frequency service throughout the city, we needed to make tough decisions in certain places, because we can’t provide that level of service everywhere. We believe that the overall plan will benefit the most people.  

Now let’s look at a few examples of what we’re talking about.  Continue reading “A Cap Remap Explainer: Rerouting onto Major Corridors” →

A Cap Remap Explainer: New Signs

On By Capital MetroIn Cap Remap4 Comments

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A lot goes into making the largest and most sweeping changes to Capital Metro’s service.

In addition to all of the planning and all of the community outreach we’ve already done, there’s a lot of physical work that still needs to take place.

Like with bus stops. You ever think much about bus stops? We do. We’ve got about 2,600 of them now, and 350 of them won’t be in service beginning June 3. Another 115 or so brand new ones will begin to serve locations that don’t currently have bus service.

The thing about it is that someone’s gotta put up all those new signs and take down all the old ones. We also have to let y’all know that that’s happening and, of course, where you can get your bus once all the changes are in place.

But that work doesn’t happen overnight. And so you’ll begin to see some new signs at our bus stops pretty soon, and it’s important for you to understand what they’re telling you. Four new signs are already appearing at stops around town, and they’ve got four big messages about the changes to our service.

Green SignThe Green Signs

If you see these signs, that means some service at the stop is changing. Maybe a new route will serve that location, or maybe a current route is being removed. The routes listed in the table aren’t necessarily what serve that stop currently, but they’ll be there beginning June 3.

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading “A Cap Remap Explainer: New Signs” →

Capital Metro to Unveil Bus Stop Plaque at 12th & Chicon

On By Capital MetroIn Transit ArtLeave a comment

12th & Chicon

For the past 18 months, Cap Metro has worked with several community partners to revamp the bus stop on the southeast corner of 12th & Chicon. And in less than another month, you’ll be able to check out what all that work has produced when we unveil the new historical plaques that celebrate the East Austin neighborhood’s  “Heritage, Pride, Prosperity.”

When & Where

  • Saturday, May 12 at 11:30 a.m.
  • Southeast corner of 12th & Chicon

Cap Metro and the East 12th Street Merchants Association would like to invite you to Return & Discover East 12th Street as part of the Merchants Association’s monthly ‘12th on 12th’ series.

Come for the unveiling, stay for the food, fun and community!

A Cap Remap Explainer: Route 37

On By Capital MetroIn Cap Remap16 Comments

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One of the big things we’ve been saying about Cap Remap is that more than half of our routes will change. And, while only two current routes will be eliminated entirely without their service being replaced, many customers will need to learn new routes because their current routes won’t operate after June 3.

For instance, let’s look at the Route 37 Colony Park/Windsor Park.

The 37 is a super important outlet for residents in far East Austin. It travels from Colony Park to Cameron Road and then through Mueller into downtown. It usually travels at about 30-minute frequencies. And many people rely on it to get to work.

Beginning June 3, though, there won’t be a Route 37 anymore. We’re really confident in what’s replacing its service, and we think it will serve you well too. Let’s explore that a bit.

Route 337The new Route 337 will replace the 37’s current routing east of Cameron Road, but instead of turning south toward Mueller and downtown, it turns north. From there, the 337 takes over the current Route 320’s path along St. Johns and provides a one-seat ride to ACC Highland before traveling on 2222 to Balcones Drive, just west of MoPac.

Some questions: Continue reading “A Cap Remap Explainer: Route 37” →

Cap Remap is Coming!

On By Capital MetroIn Cap Remap14 Comments

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It’s almost here. Really it is.

Back in the fall of 2015, Capital Metro staffers began the process of looking at our long-term service plan and revising our bus network. We came out of that process in February 2017 with the Connections 2025 Transit Plan, meant to guide our service planning for 10 years.

And guide us it has.

In just about two months, we’ll implement the major parts of the Connections 2025 recommendations with our June service change, which we’re calling Cap Remap. And the great thing about the launch is that the first week will feature free rides for everyone.

You’ve probably heard some about what’s coming. At least we hope you have, because we’ve been shouting it from the rooftops for a while now.

More than half of our routes will see some level of change, though only two will be eliminated entirely without their service being replaced (Routes 122 and 970). We’re confident the system will work better. It’ll work better for us as a public agency, because it means we’re using your tax dollars more efficiently and more effectively. And, more importantly, it will work better for you, because it creates a bus network that has more direct routing and is easier to understand.

It will also mean our buses will come much more often. We have four Local routes that operate as part of our High-Frequency Network now. In two months, we’ll triple that number. Continue reading “Cap Remap is Coming!” →

New Rail Schedule Rolls Out March 19

On By Capital MetroIn MetroRail3 Comments

Rail-Schedule_3-19-2018

Capital Metro will put in place a new MetroRail schedule next week for evaluation. We’ll operate on this new schedule beginning the week of March 19 and evaluate how the service performs. The new schedule was developed in response to recent service disruptions on the MetroRail Red Line.

 

Please refer to these schedules, beginning March 19:

The agency is currently working on two major construction projects along the 32-mile rail line. These projects are an investment in the future of MetroRail, and will pay off with doubled frequency and capacity. Capital Metro is building additional passing points along the MetroRail route that will enable the service — once the new Downtown Station is completed — to double its frequency and capacity. The other project is implementing a federally mandated positive train control system, which will ensure the long-term safety and security of the service.

The projects will continue throughout 2018, and some service disruptions can be expected for the remainder of the year. During the week of March 19, though, we will evaluate the new schedule, which should minimize service disruptions. To ensure the transition will be seamless, routes for rail connector buses have been adjusted as well.

So, About those MetroRail Delays …

On By Capital MetroIn MetroRail3 Comments

flowersMetroRail riders — and probably anyone within regular earshot of MetroRail riders — have noticed that the service has had difficulty as of late keeping to its schedule. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and for the disruption to your plans. But let us try to explain what’s happening, what’s causing the delays and what we’re trying to do to remedy the situation.

First, the delays themselves.

Since January, MetroRail trains have experienced delays of anywhere between 5 and 45 minutes. It hasn’t happened every day, but often enough. And, once it starts happening, it’s difficult to get back on schedule, and so brief delays in the morning rush hour can turn into lengthier delays by the evening. The best thing to do is to use the Next Departure feature on the CapMetro App and on our website to determine when your train’s gonna be there.

But what’s causing all this, you’re asking yourself.

Well, here’s the deal … it’s not just one issue, unfortunately. The delays stem from two separate projects that are under construction at the same time. We’re building additional passing points along the MetroRail route that will enable us — once our Downtown Station is completed — to double the frequency and capacity of the service. We are also implementing a federally mandated positive train control system, which will ensure the long-term safety and security of the service.

Continue reading “So, About those MetroRail Delays …” →