Public Information Requests
Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, gives the public the right to access government records. By law, all government information is presumed to be open to the public. State and local government agencies must promptly provide access to public records unless the information is confidential by law or an official exception to disclosure has been requested.
To Request Information From CapMetro:
CapMetro has designated an online portal for submitting public information requests, which we strongly encourage requestors to use. Requests are also accepted via a dedicated email address or by hand delivery. Using one of these methods helps ensure your request is processed promptly and efficiently.
Please note: Requests submitted by any method other than those listed below does not trigger the requirements of the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552 of the Government Code.
Send an email to: PIR@capmetro.org
Visit us in-person:
2910 E. 5th Street
Austin, TX 78702
OR
Mail a request to:
CapMetro PIA Request
ATTN: Public Information Coordinator
2910 E. 5th Street
Austin, TX 78702
When submitting a request, you may choose to use the Request Form as a template. Use of the form is not required.
For Complaints:
- Contact the Office of the Attorney General, Open Records Hotline, at 512-478-6736 or toll-free at 877-673-6839.
- For complaints regarding overcharges, please contact the Cost Rules Administrator of OAG at 512-475-2497.
Rights of Requestors
You have the right to:
- Prompt access to information that is not confidential or otherwise protected;
- Receive treatment equal to all other requestors, including accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements;
- Receive certain kinds of information without exceptions, like the voting record of public officials, and other information;
- Receive a written statement of estimated charges, when charges will exceed $40, in advance of work being started and opportunity to modify the request in response to the itemized statement;
- Choose whether to inspect the requested information (most often at no charge), receive copies of the information or both;
- A waiver or reduction of charges if CapMetro determines that access to the information primarily benefits the general public;
- Receive a copy of the communication from CapMetro asking the Office of the Attorney General for a ruling on whether the information can be withheld under one of the accepted exceptions, or if the communication discloses the requested information, a redacted copy;
- Lodge a written complaint about overcharges for public information with the Office of the Attorney General. Complaints of other possible violations may be filed with the county or district attorney of the county where CapMetro, is located. If the complaint is against the county or district attorney, the complaint must be filed with the Office of the Attorney General.
Responsibilities of CapMetro
When responding to information requests, CapMetro has the responsibility to:
- Establish reasonable procedures for inspecting or copying public information and inform requestors of these procedures;
- Treat all requestors uniformly and shall give to the requestor all reasonable comfort and facility, including accommodation in accordance with ADA requirements;
- Be informed about open records laws and educate employees on the requirements of those laws;
- Inform requestors of the estimated charges greater than $40 and any changes in the estimates above 20 percent of the original estimate, and confirm that the requestor accepts the charges, has amended the request, or has sent a complaint of overcharges to the Office of the Attorney General, in writing before finalizing the request;
- Inform the requestor if the information cannot be provided promptly and set a date and time to provide it within a reasonable time;
- Request a ruling from the Office of the Attorney General regarding any information CapMetro wishes to withhold, and send a copy of the request for ruling, or a redacted copy, to the requestor;
- Segregate public information from information that may be withheld and provide that public information promptly;
- Make a good faith attempt to inform third parties when their proprietary information is being requested from CapMetro;
- Respond in writing to all written communications from the Office of the Attorney General regarding charges for the information;
- Respond to the Office of the Attorney General regarding complaints about violations of the Act.
Procedures to Obtain Information
- Submit a request using one of the methods provided above.
- Include enough description and detail about the information requested to enable CapMetro to accurately identify and locate the information requested.
- Cooperate with CapMetro's reasonable efforts to clarify the type or amount of information requested.
Information to be Released
- CapMetro is required to produce responsive information within 10 business days; if it cannot, the public information officer will notify you in writing of the reasonable date and time when it will be available.
- Keep all appointments to inspect records and to pick up copies. Failure to keep appointments may result in losing the opportunity to inspect the information at the time requested.
Cost of Records
- You must respond to any written estimate of charges within 10 business days from the date CapMetro sends it. If no response is received, the request will be considered automatically withdrawn.
- If estimated costs exceed $100.00, CapMetro may require a bond, prepayment or deposit.
- You may ask CapMetro to determine whether providing the information primarily benefits the general public, resulting in a waiver or reduction of charges.
- Make a timely payment for all mutually agreed charges. CapMetro can demand payment of overdue balances exceeding $100.00, or obtain a security deposit, before processing additional requests from you.
Information That May be Withheld Due to an Exception
- If CapMetro determines the requested information is not subject to a previous determination or a statute that allows the information to be withheld without requesting a ruling, by the 10th business day after receiving your written request, CapMetro must:
- request an Attorney General opinion and state which exceptions apply;
- notify the requestor of the referral to the Attorney General; and
- notify third parties if the request involves their proprietary information.
- Failure to request an Attorney General opinion and notify the requestor within 10 business days will result in a presumption that the information is open unless there is a compelling reason to withhold it.
- Requestors may send a letter to the Attorney General arguing for release, and may review arguments made by CapMetro. If the arguments disclose the requested information, the requestor may obtain a redacted copy.
- The Attorney General must issue a decision no later than the 45th working day from the day after the Attorney General received the request for a decision. The Attorney General may request an additional 10 working day extension.
- CapMetro may not ask the Attorney General to "reconsider" an opinion.
Visit the Attorney General's Office website for more information.
Accommodations:
If you need special accommodation pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact, Martin Kareithi, Director of Systemwide Accessibility, at 512-389-7583 or email at: CCR-accessibility@capmetro.org