Ridership Increases Again!
| Adam Shaivitz | Erica McKewen |
| (512) 369-6027 | (512) 369-6085 |
| (512) 844-5153 cell | (512) 401-7665 cell |
Ridership Increases Again on Capital Metro
Capital Metro adding service to busiest routes; offers tips to riders June 26, 2008NEWS FACTS
- Capital Metro's May ridership figures add to an upward trend: More Austinites are dumping the pump and relying on public transportation instead.
- Ridership on Capital Metro's express routes increased 24 percent in May 2008 compared to last May.
- Between January and May 2008, Central Texans made half a million more fixed-route trips than during the same time period last year.
- Riders are experiencing fuller buses, sometimes standing room only, and also buses with full bike racks.
- Capital Metro constantly monitors ridership on our routes so that we can provide the best service. We are taking the following steps to plan for continued increases in ridership:
- Increasing the frequency on Express routes 982 and 983 (as of Friday, June 13)
- Analyzing ridership on individual routes to ensure the largest buses are assigned to the busiest routes
- Forecasting ridership trends to determine where demand will be strongest
- Analyzing bus, operator and budget availability to determine how additional service can be provided
- Capital Metro offers the following tips to riders who are concerned about potentially not being able to board because the bus is at-capacity or because they are traveling with bicycles and the bike rack is full.
- When available to you, consider flexing your work schedule - begin earlier or later or consider a compressed work week (for example, 10 hours per day, four days per week). Buses are more crowded during the peak commute hours.
- Plan ahead and be prepared to stand during your trip. Move to the back of the bus, take a wider stance for stability and make use of the rails and straps for support. Soon riders will find additional tips for standing safely on the bus on placards located inside the bus.
- New riders will find the How to Ride Guide on our Web site helpful. Visit http://www.capmetro.org/riding/using.asp.
- All of Capital Metro's 400 buses (except 'Dillos) are equipped with bicycle storage for up to two bikes. Unfortunately, once the bike rack is full, there is no additional room on the bus for bicycles. Although it has been an infrequent occurrence up to this point, riders should be prepared for the possibility that the bike racks on their buses will be full. The Capital MetroRail vehicles will each hold up to four bicycles, on hanging racks inside the train.
- We encourage customers to call the Go Line at 474-1200 to report concerns or get more information.
QUOTES
- "Our intention at Capital Metro is that anyone and everyone who boards a
Capital Metro bus has a safe and pleasant experience. We're planning for
continued increases in ridership and will maximize our resources to provide
service that will meet the community's needs."
-- Fred Gilliam, Capital Metro President/CEO
ABOUT CAPITAL METRO Capital Metro's mission is to provide quality public transportation choices for our community that meet the needs of our growing region. Capital Metro provides bus service on flexible, convenient schedules at more than 3,000 bus stops throughout Central Texas, providing an average of up to 140,000 one way trips per day. The fixed route bus system includes metro, flyer and express routes, downtown 'Dillo circulator routes, and UT Shuttle service. Capital Metro also provides special transit services for passengers with disabilities, van and carpool coordination, and freight rail service.
Capital MetroRail is a new passenger rail system that will extend 32 miles between the City of Leander and the Convention Center in Downtown Austin. Beginning this fall Capital MetroRail will serve nine stations providing convenient service every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. MetroRail is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan which includes expanded local and express bus service, MetroRapid bus service, and new and improved park and ride lots.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200