Employee Benefits Program

Capital Metro partners with Star Tran, Inc. to offer a comprehensive total rewards package for administrative and bargaining employees that includes vacation, holiday and sick leave; medical, dental, vision (administrative employees only), life insurance, optional life and dependent life coverage, short-term disability, long-term disability, employee assistance program, flexible spending account, tuition reimbursement, and pre-paid legal.

Full-time employees (administrative and bargaining) are eligible to participate in the Company sponsored 401(k) plan the first day of the month following thirty days of employment.

A pension plan is provided to all Capital Metro and Star Tran, Inc. employees. Eligibility for administrative employees is the first day of the month following thirty days of employment. The Plan is 100% funded by Capital Metro. Bargaining employees are eligible at completion of one-year of employment. Both the bargaining employee and Capital Metro contribute to the pension plan.

Capital Metro Administrative and Star Tran, Inc. Non-Bargaining Employee Benefits

Capital Metro and StarTran, Inc. offer a comprehensive employee benefits package that is designed to enhance employees' physical, mental and financial health and to provide opportunities for professional growth.

Medical Plans
The medical plans offered to Capital Metro and StarTran, Inc. employees are self-insured with a large network of providers in Austin and the surrounding areas. The plans offer very rich benefits in comparison to other employers in the Austin area. You are not required to select a Primary Care Physician under any of the plans and you are not required to get a referral before seeing a specialist.

The company pays 85-90% of the employee portion of premiums and 75% toward dependent coverage.

Dental Plan
The dental plan is also self-insured, but there is no network of dentists. You may use any dentist you like. Preventative care such as cleaning is reimbursed at 100%. Basic care services such as extractions and fillings are covered at 80%. A 50% reimbursement rate is provided for major care services like crowns. The annual maximum available for reimbursement is $1,250. There is a $75.00 annual deductible for basic and major services. Capital Metro/StarTran, Inc. pays the employee's premium in full and 90% toward dependent coverage. The dental plan is also self-insured, but there is no network of dentists. You may use any dentist you like. Preventative care such as cleaning is reimbursed at 100%. Basic care services such as extractions and fillings are covered at 80%. A 50% reimbursement rate is provided for major care services like crowns. The annual maximum available for reimbursement is $1,250.

Vision Plan
The Medical Plans cover a basic eye exam every 12 months for one co-pay. In addition, employees may purchase vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) at a very reasonable cost. This plan provides coverage for prescription lenses and frames and contact lenses.

Life Insurance
Capital Metro and StarTran, Inc. provide life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment. Life insurance coverage is provided at one time the employee's annual salary and at no charge to the employee. Employees are also eligible to purchase additional life insurance coverage either at one, two or three times their annual salary up to $300,000 along with dependent coverage at a moderate cost.

Long Term Disability (LTD)
Capital Metro offers long-term disability insurance at no cost to the employee. LTD continues 50% the employee's income in the event of disability as defined by the plan if the disability exceeds 90 days.

Short Term Disability (STD)
Employees may purchase STD under a group plan to cover periods of disability of up to 12 weeks. The plan pays 60% of eligible income during the disability.

401(k) Plan
Employees who are at least 21 years of age are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan after completing 30 days of employment. Employees may contribute up to 100% of their salary through payroll deduction as long as they remain within the maximum contributions allowed by the IRS. The plan administrator offers on-site financial planning education for employees several times a year.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan
This benefit is completely funded by Capital Metro with no employee contributions. The benefit at retirement is 1.5% of final average pay times total years of service. Years of service with other governmental entities and public transportation providers can be counted toward vesting in the plan.

Sick Leave
Active, full-time employees accrue eight hours of sick leave per month. Employees may accrue a sick leave balance of up to 960 hours. Employees who remain employed for at least five years who leave in good standing are eligible to receive payment for their unused sick leave balance.

Tuition Reimbursement
Active, full-time employees are eligible to participate for up to $2,000 per year tuition reimbursement. Courses must be approved in advance and must enhance job performance and employee effectiveness.

Flexible Spending Account
Eligible employees may pay for health and dental insurance premiums, medical expenses and child care on a pre-tax basis through payroll deductions.

Wellness Program
Capital Metro's Wellness Program has been recognized by the City of Austin as a model in the Austin community for providing comprehensive services to employees to help them live healthy lifestyles. The program includes:

On-site Wellness and Fitness Center with personal trainers
On-site weight watchers, smoking cessation, massage and health and fitness classes
Health risk assessments and customized programs to improve health
Financial incentives for weight loss, smoking cessation, physical activity and healthy eating
Bike loan program
Annual flu shots

Employee Assistance Program
Capital Metro's Employee Assistance Program is administered by Alliance Work Partners. The EAP provides confidential, professional counseling to employees and family members on such issues as family crisis, stress, substance abuse/dependency, marital problems, financial management and more.

On-Site Child Care and Learning Center
Capital Metro's Child Care and Learning Center is available to Capital Metro and StarTran, Inc. employees' children age six weeks to five years, with rates approximately 15% below the average Travis County rates for accredited centers. The Center is operated by Bright Horizons Family Solutions in accordance with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards.

Family Friendly Policies
Flexible schedules and telecommuting available for many jobs.

Vacation and Other Leave

80 hours vacation per year for the first two years of employment, increasing thereafter up to a maximum of 240 hours per year. Eligible to take vacation after six months of employment.
Two floating holidays and one floating birthday holiday each year
Eight paid holidays
Accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month to a maximum of 960 hours. Balance of sick leave is paid for employees who leave in good standing after 5 years of full-time service.
Well Day awarded for no sick time usage in the first or second 6 months calendar period.

Credit Union
Employees are eligible to join the Velocity Credit Union which offers a complete package of financial services.

Free and Reduced Cost Transportation
Employees ride the bus for free and are eligible to receive up to two family passes. In addition, employees who participate in the vanpool or carpool program pay only half of the monthly fee for this program.

StarTran, Inc. Bargaining Employees Benefits

StarTran offers a comprehensive employee benefits package that is designed to enhance employees' physical, mental and financial health and to provide opportunities for professional growth.

Medical Plans
The three medical plans provided to StarTran, Inc. employees are self-insured. Benefits are available through a comprehensive network of providers in Austin and the surrounding areas. The plans offer very rich benefits in comparison to other employers in the Austin area. Participants are not required to select a Primary Care Physician under any of the plans and are not required to get a referral before seeing a specialist.

Two of the Medical Plans offered by StarTran, Inc. provide one basic eye exam per year. Coverage for prescription lenses, frames and contact lenses are reimbursable under the Flexible Spending Account.

StarTran currently pays 100% of the employee portion of premiums and 89% toward dependent coverage.

Dental Plan
The dental plan is also self-insured, but unlike the medical plans, there is no network of dentists. You may use any dentist you like. Preventative care such as cleaning is reimbursed at 100% of usual and customary charges (U&C). Basic care services such as extractions and fillings are covered at 80% of usual and customary charges. Major care services like crowns are covered at 50% of usual and customary charges. The annual maximum available for reimbursement is $1,000. There is a $75 annual deductible for basic and major services. StarTran, Inc. currently pays the employee's premium in full and 90% toward dependent coverage.

Life Insurance
StarTran, Inc. provides life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment. Life insurance coverage is provided at $40,000 at no charge to the employee. Employees are also eligible to purchase additional life insurance coverage either at $15,000, $25,000, $50,000 or $75,000 along with dependent life insurance coverage at a moderate cost.

Long Term Disability (LTD)
StarTran, Inc. offers long-term disability insurance at no cost to the employee. LTD continues 60% of the employee's monthly income in the event of disability as defined by the plan if the disability exceeds 180 days.

Short Term Disability (STD)
Employees may purchase STD under a group plan to cover periods of disability of up to 26 weeks. The plan pays 60% of eligible income during the disability.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan
This benefit is effective on the employee’s hire date following one year of employment. Employee contributions are required and are matched by StarTran, Inc.. Full retirement benefits are generally available at age 65 or 25 years of plan participation.

Flexible Spending Account
Eligible employees may pay for health and dental insurance premiums, medical expenses and child care on a pre-tax basis through payroll deductions.

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been recognized by the City of Austin as a model in the Austin community for providing comprehensive services to employees to help them live healthy lifestyles. The program includes:

On-site Wellness and Fitness Center with personal trainers
On-site weight watchers, smoking cessation, massage and health and fitness classes
Health risk assessments and customized programs to improve health
Financial incentives for weight loss, smoking cessation, physical activity and healthy eating
Bike loan program
Annual flu shots

Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Alliance Work Partners. The EAP provides confidential, professional counseling to employees and family members on such issues as family crisis, stress, substance abuse/dependency, marital problems, financial management and more.

Credit Union
Employees are eligible to join the Velocity Credit Union which offers a complete package of financial services.

Other Benefits

Paid vacation based on years of service
Paid holidays
Paid sick leave
Two family bus passes; four is the maximum (application required)

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200 | (800) 474-1201