Board Approves New Service Expansion Policy
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Board Approves New Service Expansion Policy
Capital Metro Takes Steps to Serve Needs of Growing Community June 11, 2008AUSTIN, Texas - June 30, 2008 -Today the Capital Metro Board of Directors approved a new policy that takes a proactive approach to expanding transportation options in Central Texas.
With the rapid population growth and gas prices near $4 per gallon, there is increased interest for expanded bus, bus rapid transit (BRT) and rail service in communities in and out of Capital Metro's service area. However, Capital Metro is unable to accommodate these requests with existing funding mechanisms.
The new policy will allow Capital Metro to take a regional approach to addressing service expansion requests in a creative and fiscally-responsible manner.
"We are committed to work with stakeholders throughout the region to better identify their needs for service and to identify new funding options for implementation," said board member and Leander Mayor John Cowman.
Today's Board action establishes a policy allowing Capital Metro to create innovative partnerships with local and regional governments seeking transit service.
"The new policy creates a framework to form regional transit funding partnerships," said board member and Austin Mayor Pro Tem Brewster McCracken. "I appreciate Mayor John Cowman's and Manor Council Member Jamie Allen's leadership in bringing regional partners together to finance the expanded transit service our region desperately needs. I am proud to cosponsor this item."
Options may include combining Capital Metro sales tax revenue with various other funding sources from member cities seeking additional transit, or providing transit service to communities that are not current members as long as the requesting entities fully fund the service. Capital Metro also will provide technical assistance to local and regional partners to develop finance plans for added service.
"Capital Metro is very interested in better addressing the growing transportation needs of the region," said board vice-chair and Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez. "Through this policy, we can move forward to provide public transit services that meet the needs of Central Texas."
The resolution passed with a unanimous vote.
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
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