The following is a City of Austin - Public Works Pedestrian Program news release.
City of Austin
and Capital Metro partner to bring more accessibility to Austin’s bus stops
December 13, 2012
Austin, TX – Over the next five
years, some Capital Metro bus stops will be receiving makeovers. These improvements will come via a
partnership with the City of Austin
Public Works Department, who will be providing the
construction of the facilities.
The
partnership comes after City Council approved an amendment to an existing
interlocal agreement between the two entities that helped facilitate
accessibility improvements at 170 bus stops last year.
The
amendment extends the partnership for another five years and allows for up to
$10,000,000 to be transferred from Capital Metro to the City to continue bus
stop improvements, pending budget availability each year. Under the terms of
the agreement, Capital Metro will reimburse the City monthly for work
completed.
“This
collaboration is a great example of local tax dollars being spent wisely, with
huge benefits for the community,” says City Councilman and Capital Metro
Chairman Mike Martinez. “Incorporating bus stop improvements into already
planned city projects just makes sense. It reduces staff time and paperwork,
ultimately saving both the city and Capital Metro, time and money, while
improving the walkability and accessibility of the city.”
Although all
of Capital Metro’s approximately 2,900 bus stops met the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act at the time they were constructed, the transit
agency has been upgrading stops to meet the newest standards of the ADA. Over the course of
the five-year construction program, Capital Metro anticipates the entire
remaining 37 percent of stops that need improvements to be completed.
The bus stop improvements
are estimated to range from $3,000 to $20,000 each, with an average cost of
$8,000. These improvements will take
place in various zip codes throughout the City.
City of Austin – Public Works Pedestrian Program: http://www.austintexas.gov/department/pedestrian
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Contact: Sara Hartley,
Public Works, (desk) (512) 974-1444, (cell) 512-560-4267
Erica Macioge, Capital Metro, (desk) (512) 369-6085,
(cell) 512-636-7232