COVID-19 Update | Beginning June 1, fares are in effect for all CapMetro services and face coverings are required. See further changes affecting our services.
CapMetro & COVID-19
Wondering which CapMetro services are up and running? Concerned about riding safely during COVID-19? We’re here for you with answers and support as we all navigate this experience together. From physical distancing protocols to enhanced features aboard
our vehicles, CapMetro has updated our safety and cleaning measures to ensure you can get where you need to go without adding extra stress to your trip. Whether you’re riding the train or catching your bus, our services continue to be the
safe, convenient and affordable option you can count on. Find out more how we’re riding with care.
Electrostatic cleaning. This advanced cleaning process sprays electrostatically charged mist throughout the vehicle to ensure surfaces are sanitized.
Physical distancing protocols. Don’t think you can socially distance on a bus or train? Think again! CapMetro has adopted physical distancing efforts like adding plexiglass around the operator and signage prompting riders to
“skip a seat” when possible. Schedules have also been adjusted to increase service and to help reduce the number of riders per trip.
Cashless payment. The CapMetro App allows you to pay for passes with
the in-app digital wallet or using Apple Pay or Google Pay without having to exchange physical money.
Masks for staff and riders. While we encourage you to always remember your mask when leaving the house, CapMetro has them available in case you forget. Face coverings are required for all riders and staff on CapMetro buses and trains.
Vinyl seat upgrades.In addition to our new cleaning technology,
we are upgrading our seats from fabric covers to vinyl, making them easier to clean.
Wear a mask when riding and waiting to ride
Follow physical distancing measures by skipping a seat
Avoid riding at peak times when possible by catching an earlier or later trip
Download the CapMetro App to use cashless payment for your passes
Stay at home if you’re feeling sick or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19
If you have a disability that affects your ability to wear a face covering, please contact Martin Kareithi, our program manager of accessible services, to request a reasonable modification. Call 512-389-7583 or email martin.kareithi@capmetro.org.
Most MetroBus and MetroRapid services are operating their normal schedules. For detailed route information, visit our Schedules and Maps and select an individual
route page.
UT Shuttle service is operating once again with the exceptions of Route 680, Route 681 and Route 682..
Some MetroExpress routes have been reinstated, though Route 980, Route 981 and Route 987 remain suspended. See below for details.
MetroRail is operating a Monday-Friday daytime schedule, with no Saturday service and no Late-Night trips on Friday.
Some MetroFlyer routes are operating reduced versions of their weekday schedules.
Customers are required to wear a face covering. This helps protect our operators and our customers. If you have a disability that affects your ability to wear a face covering, please contact Martin Kareithi, our program manager of accessible
services, to request a reasonable modification. Call 512-389-7583 or email martin.kareithi@capmetro.org.
MetroAccess service operates with service boundaries mirroring our adjusted schedules.
Our response to the pandemic is guided by the need to protect
the health and safety of our staff and our community, as
well as the financial stability of the agency. CARE is what
shapes our decisions:
CapMetro is following guidance from Austin Public Health and is committed to keeping our vehicles and facilities sanitized with enhanced cleaning beyond our normally high standards. In addition to our daily cleaning procedures for all CapMetro vehicles and transit facilities, we are applying a disinfectant to common hand contact areas including poles, handrails, armrests, door handles and stop request buttons.
We have placed special signage on our vehicles that encourages social distancing while riding, which means that riders should sit apart and leave empty seats between them and other riders. CapMetro is providing operators with face coverings and requiring everyone riding CapMetro to wear a face covering, too. This serves to protect your fellow riders and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Along with these efforts, we ask that customers follow standard hygienic procedures to help prevent the spread of illness.
CapMetro is encouraging social distancing on all transit services by advising riders to wear face coverings. We have placed special signage on our vehicles that encourages riders to skip a seat and give each other some extra space while on the bus or train.
CapMetro encourages customers to follow standard hygienic measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Along with these efforts, we need your help:
Wear a face covering to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. These can be medical masks purchased by you or hand-made cloth coverings, even just a bandana. This serves to protect your fellow riders and the entire community.
Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Maintain good hygiene.
Limit your non-essential travel as much as possible, especially to locations with many people.
Limiting your contact with others is the best way to stay healthy.
If you think you might be getting sick, please stay home and contact your healthcare provider. Visit Austin Public Health's information page for up-to-date, detailed information.
All bus and rail operators are provided with face coverings, hand sanitizer and gloves. All customers are required to also wear face coverings to protect both employees and customers. We have told our employees to not report to work if feeling sick.
Yes, Capital Metro began distributing face coverings to its employees on April 5. They are being distributed to all public-facing employees, including those in bus, rail and paratransit operations; building and vehicle cleaning crews, building and vehicle maintenance; security; and administrative and contract staff who not working remotely. Customers also must wear face coverings as a way to prevent the spread of coronavirus and protect our community.
Yes, we have signage with information from Austin Public Health in our vehicles reminding customers how to help stop the spread of illness. Included on the signage is to cover coughs and sneezes.
Most CapMetro services - including MetroBus, MetroRapid, MetroExpress and MetroRail - are operating on a modified schedule.
The latest review of our data shows that system ridership has decreased significantly. That's expected and exactly what should be happening with the shelter-in-place order in effect. We will continue to monitor this closely.
At this time, CapMetro will continue to operate transit services. Public transportation is a critical service in the Austin community and connects community members to vital places, such as hospitals, grocery stores and places of employment. People who do those jobs take care of us, and CapMetro helps them do so.
For this reason, we will continue to offer our services for as long as we can. We will also continue following guidance from Austin Public Health to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for both employees and customers. Our data shows that system ridership has decreased significantly, but that's what should be happening under our shelter-in-place order.
We're slowly returning to regular service and operations and will do so in a way that protects the safety of operators and customers, including the return of fares. In addition to the enhanced bus cleaning practices we've been implementing recently, we also installed plexiglass barriers to separate operators from customers, are requiring everyone on our vehicles to wear face coverings and are recommending customers practice safe physical distancing from each other by leaving empty seats between them and other riders when possible.
