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HOW WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY

Fundamental Bus Services
Capital Metro’s largest operation includes about 400 buses on 134 routes to 3,300 bus stops and provides an average of 140,000 one-way trips daily. Capital Metro’s fundamental bus service includes multiple-stop and express service that radiates from neighborhoods into downtown, multiple-stop service that feeds into neighborhoods, major transfer and park and ride centers, cross-town routes and school routes. These services, combined with van and carpool coordination, special event shuttles, special transit services for riders with disabilities and other services, are the framework for a comprehensive transit system that help keep Central Texas moving forward.

  • University of Texas Shuttles
    ShuttlesCapital Metro operates the largest university shuttle system in the country with 20 dedicated routes to transport University of Texas students from concentrated student centers like Riverside Drive, Far West Boulevard and West Campus to UT’s “40 Acres” and back. Capital Metro’s dedicated fleet of white and burnt orange buses provided 5.1 million one-way trips in FY 2007. Students and faculty can ride other Capital Metro routes free by showing their school ID.


  • AISD & Apple Shuttles
    Since 1985, Capital Metro has provided limited-stop service to and from neighborhoods and AISD magnet schools. In FY 2007, Capital Metro provided more than 255,000 trips for magnet school students.


  • Express Service
    Since 1985, Capital Metro has provided limited-stop service to and from neighborhoods and AISD magnet schools. In FY 2007, Capital Metro provided more than 255,000 trips for magnet school students.


Special Routes
Capital Metro has listened to community leaders and worked closely with organizers to develop a number of special routes for specific audiences:

  • Downtown ‘Dillos
    In 1985, Capital Metro introduced a fleet of buses that resemble the trolleys that once graced the cobblestone streets of downtown Austin. Today, Capital Metro operates five color-coded routes that transport UT, Capitol Complex and Central Business District students, workers and visitors to popular destinations within the area free of charge.
    • “First Thursday” ‘Dillo
      The tremendous success of SoCo’s “First Thursday” monthly street fair created parking issues for participants, merchants and neighbors. In collaboration with merchants along South Congress, Capital Metro offers free ‘Dillo service from the Barton Springs/Congress intersection to the Live Oak/Congress intersection the first Thursday of each month every 10 minutes from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
      • .
    • Airport Flyer
      Capital Metro’s Airport Flyer (route #100) makes trips to Austin Bergstrom International Airport more convenient and affordable. For only $0.50 each way, travelers can catch the bus (equipped with luggage racks) from a limited number of stops that connect the UT campus, the State Office complex, downtown and East Austin. The Airport Flyer departs every 35 to 40 minutes between 5:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Airport Flyer passenger drop off and pick-up is located on the lower level of the ABIA terminal.
    • E-Bus
      Through a partnership with the Austin Police Department and the University of Texas at Austin, Capital Metro provides a safe ride home for revelers and reduces parking congestion around Austin’s famous Sixth Street Entertainment District. The E-Bus routes (#410, 411, and 412) makes a loop from downtown to West Campus, Main Campus and Riverside Drive, three densely populated college student populations, from Thursday through Saturday when UT classes are in session. The E-Bus, which is short for the “entertainment bus,” transports more than 1,000 riders nightly.
    • Night Owl Service
      Capital Metro offers a late-night bus service from 6th and Congress. The Night Owl Service runs Tuesday through Sunday from midnight to 3 a.m. and includes service to three different areas of Austin: north up Guadalupe and Lamar streets to Rundberg every 30 minutes; east to Airport Boulevard every hour; and, southeast to Riverside and Burton Drive every hour.
    • Tour the Town
      Accessible each weekend, the Tour of the Town route (route #470) takes locals and visitors to many of Austin’s most popular cultural, historic and outdoor attractions. Launched in June 2003 in a partnership with the Texas State History Museum, the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Austin Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and several local hotels and restaurants, the route runs every 45 minutes on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Destinations include the LBJ Library, the State Capitol, Austin Museum of Art, Austin Children’s Museum, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Zilker Park Botanical Gardens, Barton Spring Pool and the Austin Convention Center.
  • Special Event Shuttles
    Capital Metro is committed to being responsive, responsible and supportive of the local community. In FY 2007, Capital Metro transported more than 262,000 riders to some of Austin’s most cherished community events:
    • University of Texas Football Games
      From September through December, Capital Metro shuttles approximately 28,000 Longhorn fans to and from each home football game at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium. Shuttles depart from Barton Creek Mall, the UT Intramural Fields at 51st and Guadalupe streets, and Stubbs Barbecue at 8th and Red River streets 2.5 hours before kick off and begin returning fans in the third quarter. Shuttles are available for $2 round trip per person, $1 for children between age 12 and six and free for children under age six.
    • Austin City Limits Festival
      In 2007, Capital Metro used 70 buses to transport about 100,000 shuttle riders to Austin’s biggest concert, the Austin City Limits Festival. Shuttle service is available at Republic Square Park (4th and Guadalupe Street) to transport concertgoers to Zilker Park during the September weekend.
    • Trail of Lights Festival
      Capital Metro provides a convenient and festive transportation option for the annual Trail of Lights Festival, Austin’s most popular holiday tradition. For two weeks each December, Capital Metro transports people from Waterloo Park (E. 15th and Trinity streets) to Zilker Park and back. To kick off the festivities, Capital Metro offers live holiday music, a visit from Santa Claus and other activities before patrons board the shuttles. Service is available for $1 per adult and free for children 5 and under.
    • First Night Austin
      Capital Metro partners with First Night Austin to provide free transportation to the New Year’s Eve celebration. First Night Austin is a free, family-friendly, alcohol-free, public celebration showcasing the unique culture of Austin through performing and visual arts. Shuttles run from Waterloo Park (14th and Trinity) to the event downtown.

Special Transit Services
Capital Metro’s Special Transit Services is a demand-response, shared-ride, door-through-door service, initiated by the City of Austin in 1976 to serve citizens with disabilities. Capital Metro took over the service in 1985, which has evolved to meet the ever-growing transportation needs. Service costs $0.60 for each one-way trip, $3 for a 10-ride ticket booklet or $15 for monthly passes. In FY 2007, STS made more than 656,000 trips.

RideShare
Capital Metro offers several choices for commuters that reduce traffic, keep the air cleaner and save participants money. The vanpool program allows co-workers who live relatively close to each other and work similar hours to share a ride to and from work. Primary drivers are allowed to use the vans for personal use for a small per-mile fee, while co-workers must only commit to ride at least three days per week. Each group has the freedom to set its own route and schedule. Fares start at $25 per week within Capital Metro’s service area while groups outside the service area can also participate for additional fees based on the number of miles driven. The fee includes use of the van, gas, maintenance and insurance. Drivers must be at least 25-years-old, have a good three-year driving record and participate in a two-hour orientation course. Also, Capital Metro recently launched a program allowing customers to carpool using hybrid-fuel vehicles. In FY 2007 Capital Metro coordinated 132 vanpool and 14 carpool groups, which accounted for more than 324,000 one-way RideShare trips.

Freight Rail
Capital Metro owns 163 miles of rail between Giddings and Llano. Putting freight on these rail lines and taking it off the roads helps to reduce traffic congestion. According to the Association of Railroads, railroads are three times more fuel-efficient than trucks. In FY 2007, the freight rail service reduced 18-wheeler traffic on area highways by about 120,000 truck rigs.

Park & Ride Facilities
Park & Ride facilities allow commuters the convenience of parking their automobiles in easily accessible locations near their home and taking a choice of multiple routes into downtown Austin. Currently, Capital Metro operates 13 Park & Ride facilities throughout Central Texas and two temporary downtown locations for ‘Dillo routes. Locations include Jonestown, Lago Vista, Leander, North Austin, Harris Branch, Manor and Oak Hill. In 2008, Capital Metro plans to open the South Central Transfer Center, which will serve as a major crossing point for east-west and north-south routes. Over the next five years, Capital Metro is adding new Park & Ride locations, as well as upgrading existing locations.


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