Kick off the summer with a safe 4th of July celebration! We know that the warm weather is exciting but remember to stay safe while having fun. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy 4th of July and the rest of the summer in a safe and secure way.

Keep a distance. There are plenty of things to do outside. However, make sure you are still practicing social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet from other people. If you are going to celebrate, make sure you are taking care of yourself and those around you.

Wear a face covering. Austin-Travis County have recently implemented revised orders which include requiring businesses to enforce the use of face coverings among employees and visitors (with few exceptions). If you will be out in public, including riding CapMetro, remember to bring your face covering with you! We have a tutorial on how to make a face covering at home and tips on how to wear them.

Don’t drink and drive. Did you know that for more than 20 years, drivers with alcohol concentrations over the legal limit have been involved in about one-third of all traffic fatalities in the U.S? Have a plan before taking your first drink! Don’t drive a motor vehicle, bike or scooter if you are impaired. CapMetro offers fare-free service after 5 p.m. on Independence Day. Let us be your sober driver home.

At CapMetro we care about your safety! Let’s take care of each other by following health officials’ recommendations and being safe on the road.

As our community continues to get back on the road during National Safety Month, we want to remind everyone to be safe while driving, walking and riding scooters or bikes. Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council show that despite Americans staying home and driving less, the emptier roads have become more lethal in comparison to last year. In Texas, the number of roadway deaths in the first 3 months of 2020 increased by 6%. Whether it has been a while since you were outside, or you became used to traveling on emptier roads, follow these safety tips to ensure we all stay safe while traveling.

Drivers: Stay alert and on the lookout for pedestrians, people riding bikes or scooters, and CapMetro vehicles. Please slow down and obey speed limits, respect traffic signs, and avoid distractions.

When you approach railroads, be cautious. Stop, look both ways and listen for a train before crossing. Respect flashing red lights, do not drive around the lowered bar and never stop on the tracks. Remember to also stay alert for buses as they stop for passenger boarding.

Pedestrians and runners: As you exercise or walk outside, pay attention to your surroundings and traffic. Stay alert and make sure you can hear potential warnings from drivers or cyclists over the sound of your favorite song or podcast. If you are going to be in higher traffic areas, consider pausing the music to avoid any distractions. Wear brightly colored clothing to be more visible to vehicle and bus drivers, and always use crosswalks.

Scooter riders and cyclists: Wear a helmet and ride with the flow of traffic. Use bike lanes whenever available, and respect traffic signs and signals. Avoid any distractions such as using your phone or listening to music and podcasts. Stay alert for pedestrians and never use a scooter or bike when impaired.

June is National Safety month and CapMetro is your safe ride for any necessary trips. Stay healthy by practicing good hygiene, covering your face, keeping your distance from others in public and staying home if you feel sick in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. Let’s take care of each other and follow all safety tips!

Even with the governor’s recent announcements, CapMetro is requiring our customers to wear a face covering on our vehicles. Following safety recommendations will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. As Austin Public Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found earlier, covering our nose and mouth when we are outside our homes is important because an infected person can transmit COVID-19 to others without showing any symptoms.

Here is a simple tutorial to make a face covering using only a bandana and two rubber bands/hair ties.

According to health authorities, your cloth face covering should:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops
• Include multiple layers of fabric
• Allow for breathing without restriction
• Be able to be laundered and dried without damage or change to shape

Remember that medical grade (N95) and surgical masks should be only used by medical professionals and first responders. Let’s follow all safety recommendations and stop the spread! For more information concerning COVID-19 service updates, please visit capmetro.org/COVID19.

We continue to implement measures to protect our operators and customers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic – but we need your help. When using CapMetro to access essential needs or to get to an essential job, follow Austin Public Health’s orders:

• Wear a face covering. This measure helps prevents asymptomatic carriers from spreading the virus. Cloth face coverings should include multiple layers of fabric and should be washed after every use. Face coverings are required on all CapMetro vehicles.
• Even if you are wearing a face covering, keep your distance. Continue to maintain 6 feet from other people when outside your home.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones, do not leave your home for anything other than receiving medical care.
• Keep washing your hands frequently.

At CapMetro we have implemented additional measures to protect you and our operators. Fares are free right now, sanitizing and cleaning procedures have been enhanced, we have placed special signage that encourages social distancing and we have added a chain near the front of the vehicles to provide a barrier between our drivers and customers. In addition, our operators are being provided with face coverings, hand sanitizer and gloves.

Let’s follow all safety guidelines and stop the spread! For more information concerning COVID-19 service updates, please visit capmetro.org/COVID19.

As our community responds to COVID-19, Capital Metro is taking necessary precautions to promote public health, social distancing, and stay at home policies ordered by governmental and medical authorities. During this challenging time, we have adjusted our schedule and enhanced bus cleanings to provide safe customer access to essential needs such as grocery stores, pharmacies and work.

We ask you to take these safety precautions to help us prevent the spread of illness:

• Only use public transportation for essential connections to groceries/pharmacies, health care and essential work
• If you think you might be getting sick, stay home and contact your healthcare provider; if you’re uninsured and are experience symptoms of coronavirus, call CommUnityCare at 512-978-8775. CommUnityCare will talk to you over the phone and send you to the appropriate location.
• Use rear door boarding only, unless you wish to use the ramp for access by wheelchairs and other mobility devices; all fares have been suspended for the month of April
• Skip a seat between you and other riders; it is advised to keep a distance of 6 feet between you and those around you
• Always cover your mouth with the crook of your arm when you sneeze or cough in public; do not sneeze or cough into your hands

Let’s stay safe, calm and smart together! For more information concerning COVID-19 service updates, please visit capmetro.org/COVID19.