Category: articulated bus

Capital Metro at the 2013 White Cane Day

On By Capital MetroIn accessibility, articulated bus, BRT, commute community, MetroRapid, new buses, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Photo of event attendees at City HallYesterday, Capital Metro participated in the 2013 White Cane Day with other sponsors and members of the Texas School for the Blind.

Photo of Capital Metro Accessibility Specialist Martin Kareithi accepting Mayor's AwardAccessibility Specialist Martin Kareithi accepted the mayor’s award on behalf of the agency, in support of the accessibility community and inviting attendees to join the team at Republic Square Park where Capital Metro had a MetroRapid vehicle staged for in-person tours.

In addition, festival goers were able to check out the adjacent Republic Square Station, a future stop along the MetroRapid route. Volunteers oriented fPhoto of MetroRapid vehicle arriving at stationolks around the station, discussing all the cool, new features available, including an announcement button that tells passengers audibly when the next vehicle will arrive.

The new MetroRapid service will launch in early 2014 along Route 801 North Lamar/South Congress.  It will feature new amenities, like real-time arrival information; shelters at every station with benches, lighting and a bike rack; technology to sync with stop lights, helping keep lights green as the vehicle passes through the intersection; and, free on board WiFi. In addition, the service will be fully ADA compliant with wheelchair securement areas equipped with companion seating and Braille ID bus numbers located at each rear door and at front wheel wells. For full details, visit capmetro.org/MetroRapid.

Questions or comments? We’re happy to discuss our accessible services or the new MetroRapid service, launching in 2014.

Photo on board MetroRapid

Photo of event at Republic Square Park

Cap Metro’s Future Rapid-ly Approaching

On By JohnIn articulated bus, BRT, MetroRapid, new buses10 Comments
A sneak peak at the new MetroRapid vehicle.
A sneak peak at the new MetroRapid vehicle.

It’s been said that great cities have great public transportation systems, and with the upcoming launch of MetroRapid, the booming Central Texas region will be one step closer to realizing that goal.

Capital Metro pulled back the curtain Thursday, allowing members of the media to get an up close and personal look at the new MetroRapid vehicles before they hit the streets in early 2014 (although you’ll be seeing some of the buses around town over the next few months for testing purposes).

“This is a service we’re going to be able to introduce to the community unlike any they’ve seen before in Central Texas,” Capital Metro President and CEO Linda S. Watson said. “This is such an exciting time for Capital Metro.”

Cap Metro President & CEO Linda Watson with a new MetroRapid vehicle.
Cap Metro President & CEO Linda Watson with a new MetroRapid vehicle.

Continue reading “Cap Metro’s Future Rapid-ly Approaching” →

Rapid Bus Demo

On By capmetroblogIn articulated bus, BRT, MetroRapid12 Comments


You may have seen this bus rolling around Austin recently and thought to yourself “what is that?”. It’s a 2008 Nova LFX demo bus and it’s just one of several different models that Capital Metro is considering for MetroRapid. Our transit planners and operators have been testing it out on the streets of Austin the past few days. So far, many are impressed by the way it looks, rides and drives.

The 62-ft articulated bus has 56 seats but it can be manufactured to have up to 62 seats. This particular bus has three wide doors. It’s very roomy and quite comfortable. You might think the size limits its turing ability, but that’s not the case. The bus can manuever around the same as a 40-ft bus.

This type of bus would be assigned to only the MetroRapid routes. The first two routes will be along North Lamar/South Congress and Burnet/South Lamar. Click here for more info on MetroRapid.