This summer is a great time to hit the road with your bike, while trying public transit. We’ve got some helpful tips if you’re bringing your bike along for the first time!

Bikes on the Bus

All full-size buses feature sturdy exterior racks attached to the front of vehicles. Depending on the rack, it may hold two or three bicycles with wheels 20″ or larger. Electric bikes under 55 pounds also fit on the racks.  Spaces are available on a first come, first served basis, and FREE.

How to use the racks? It’s pretty easy – instructions can also be found on the racks themselves, or you can see step by step instructions at capmetro.org/bike.

Folding bikes can be brought into buses at any time (folded); no other bikes are allowed on the bus.

We’re installing 350+ three-position racks on all buses by Fall 2015 (with exception of Express buses). Continue reading “Bike-N-Ride: Summer Traveling Tips” →

As the region’s transit provider, Capital Metro is continuously looking for ways to better serve the communities in our service area. During Capital Metro’s June Service Changes which went into effect June 7, we expanded MetroAccess service to the Lago Vista community. Our paratransit service is now available to eligible riders within three quarters of a mile of the current 214 Northwest Feeder bus route.

This service enhancement opens up transit access for even more people, serving as a complement to Route 214 service from Lago Vista to Lakeline, including Paseo de Vaca and the Lago Vista Park & Ride. Continue reading “New MetroAccess Service in Lago Vista” →

The numbers are in for Capital Metro rides during SXSW and they’re over the top!

After ten days of extra service to accommodate the estimated 70,000 in attendance, ridership on MetroRapid and MetroRail topped last year’s event by 15 percent.

With 1,700 additional hours of service offered, there was no shortage of traveling options with MetroRapid, MetroRail, MetroAirport and local bus service. Continue reading “Capital Metro Hits Record-Breaking Ridership During SXSW” →

With GPS-enabled real-time information on all buses and trains, Capital Metro now helps you save time and travel smarter by taking the guesswork out of planning your trip.

View real-time departure information for the next three available bus trips within 45 minutes. Planning a trip further in advance? View scheduled departure times.

Click

Visit “Next Departures” on the mobile site or CapMetro App to count down the minutes until the next bus departure by route, location or stop ID. View our app demo above to see how it works for yourself!

Scan

At your stop? Scan the square barcode on the bus stop sign using a QR reader app for next bus times.

Text

Text (512) 981-6221 (Dadnab) to get departure info via your bus stop ID and quickly receive a reply text with real-time information.

Call

Dial (512) 474-1200 (GO Line) at home or on-the-go to speak with a Customer Service agent to access real-time info based on your route, location or stop ID.

For more information, visit capmetro.org/getreal or call the GO Line at 512-474-1200.

Beginning yesterday, Capital Metro launched new fare prices for Local, Premium, Commuter, MetroAccess and reduced fares.

In the Works – We plan to enhance several of services over the next few years, including the expansion of real-time bus arrival information over the entire system, and offering more frequent service in some high-use transit corridors.

We’re also working on enhancing MetroRail service, with a goal of doubling current capacity and increasing frequency to every 15 minutes during peak hours. A larger, permanent downtown MetroRail station is also in the planning stages.

Reduced fare options – Reduced fares are always available for Single Ride, Day Passes and 31-Day Passes for qualifying riders.

Children five and under with an accompanying adult, and emergency and military personnel in uniform are welcome to ride Capital Metro at no charge.

Capital Metro offers transit savings for businesses, employees and students through its MetroWorks employer and college pass program. Capital Metro will continue its current partnerships with The University of Texas, Austin Community College and the City of Austin to provide access to its services throughout 2015.

Where to buy – New passes are on sale now!

Buy passes at any of the following locations:

• Capital Metro Transit Store
• CapMetro App
• Retail Outlets
• MetroRail Stations
• Onboard

Fares for Capital Metro will change Jan. 11, as the agency implements the second phase of its board approved fare policy changes adopted in September 2013. Changes are also coming to some Capital Metro bus routes, beginning Sunday, during the agency’s January 2015 Service Changes.

January 2015 Fare Change

Capital Metro will make changes to all pass prices, including the Local base fare which will change by 25 cents to $1.25. Local Day Passes will cost $2.50, 7-Day Passes will cost $11.25 and $41.25 for a 31-Day Pass.

Premium fares will cost $1.75 for a Single Ride, $3.50 for a Day Pass, $16.75 for a 7-Day Pass and $62 for a 31-Day Pass. Commuter fares will cost $3.50 for a Single Ride, $7 for a Day Pass, $27.50 for a 7-Day Pass and $96.25 for a 31-Day Pass.

MetroAccess fares will become $1.75 for a Single Ride, $17.50 for a 10-Ride Booklet and $46.50 for a Monthly Pass. Capital Metro’s RideShare Program also begins new vanpool fares this month.

Pick up the 2015 Fare Change brochure on buses now, visit capmetro.org/FareChange2015 or call the GO Line at 512-474-1200 for more information.

January 2015 Service Changes

On Sunday, Capital Metro will implement changes to downtown routes due to the City of Austin Great Streets reconstruction project, and changes to bus service hours on some Local routes and MetroAccess, meeting demand and expanding service.

Due to a City of Austin Great Streets long-term reconstruction project on Colorado Street between 7th and 10th, Routes 2, 6, 19, and 37 will be rerouted to expand customer access to stops in the southern downtown area, while ensuring minimal impact to service.

Route 30 will be realigned to service Guadalupe and Lavaca up to 12th Street. The route will make two northern and two southern stops through downtown, providing easier connections with other routes.

Service hours for Routes 1, 2, 7, 20, 37 and MetroAccess will be extended to meet demand, operating approximately one hour later on weekends. Riders will be able to access a safe ride home, or make better connections to additional late night service routes (Night Owl and E-Bus).

Additional details on the Capital Metro service change process can be found on capmetro.org/january2015, by calling the GO Line at 512-474-1200 or by picking up a brochure on buses now.