AUSTIN, Texas - Starting tomorrow, all federal government employees will be allowed to ride CapMetro services free of charge for the duration of the government shutdown.

Federal workers affected by the partial shutdown can get free rides by showing their federal government employee ID to the bus operator or fare inspector. The free rides are valid on all CapMetro services, including MetroRail and MetroAccess, the agency's paratransit services.

“This is not about politics; it's about being there for our community,” said CapMetro President and CEO Randy Clarke. “Taking care of neighbors in need is the right thing to do. We hope that the free fares allow those who are serving our country to keep moving through this difficult time.”

The partial shutdown began on Dec. 22, and more than 35,000 Texans work for agencies that are currently without funding. Some essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers and border agents, are required to work without pay. According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the federal government employs about 13,000 people in the Austin area. 

CapMetro has several initiatives to address transportation needs of the community. Recently, the agency made permanent its  free fares program for kids K-12. CapMetro also provides discounted transit passes for people in need in the community through its support of the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF). 

Since its inception in 2011, TEF has provided 5 million rides on CapMetro services. The mission of the fund is to enhance access to transportation for low-income, transit-dependent individuals in the Austin area. Populations served by the fund include adults over the age of 65, people with disabilities, Medicare card holders, low-income workers, refugees and people experiencing homelessness.

For more information, please visit CapMetro.org or contact customer service at 512-474-1200.

AUSTIN, Texas - Starting tomorrow, all federal government employees will be allowed to ride CapMetro services free of charge for the duration of the government shutdown.

Federal workers affected by the partial shutdown can get free rides by showing their federal government employee ID to the bus operator or fare inspector. The free rides are valid on all CapMetro services, including MetroRail and MetroAccess, the agency's paratransit services.

“This is not about politics; it's about being there for our community,” said CapMetro President and CEO Randy Clarke. “Taking care of neighbors in need is the right thing to do. We hope that the free fares allow those who are serving our country to keep moving through this difficult time.”

The partial shutdown began on Dec. 22, and more than 35,000 Texans work for agencies that are currently without funding. Some essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers and border agents, are required to work without pay. According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the federal government employs about 13,000 people in the Austin area. 

CapMetro has several initiatives to address transportation needs of the community. Recently, the agency made permanent its  free fares program for kids K-12. CapMetro also provides discounted transit passes for people in need in the community through its support of the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF). 

Since its inception in 2011, TEF has provided 5 million rides on CapMetro services. The mission of the fund is to enhance access to transportation for low-income, transit-dependent individuals in the Austin area. Populations served by the fund include adults over the age of 65, people with disabilities, Medicare card holders, low-income workers, refugees and people experiencing homelessness.

For more information, please visit CapMetro.org or contact customer service at 512-474-1200.

AUSTIN, Texas - Starting tomorrow, all federal government employees will be allowed to ride CapMetro services free of charge for the duration of the government shutdown.

Federal workers affected by the partial shutdown can get free rides by showing their federal government employee ID to the bus operator or fare inspector. The free rides are valid on all CapMetro services, including MetroRail and MetroAccess, the agency's paratransit services.

“This is not about politics; it's about being there for our community,” said CapMetro President and CEO Randy Clarke. “Taking care of neighbors in need is the right thing to do. We hope that the free fares allow those who are serving our country to keep moving through this difficult time.”

The partial shutdown began on Dec. 22, and more than 35,000 Texans work for agencies that are currently without funding. Some essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers and border agents, are required to work without pay. According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the federal government employs about 13,000 people in the Austin area. 

CapMetro has several initiatives to address transportation needs of the community. Recently, the agency made permanent its  free fares program for kids K-12. CapMetro also provides discounted transit passes for people in need in the community through its support of the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF). 

Since its inception in 2011, TEF has provided 5 million rides on CapMetro services. The mission of the fund is to enhance access to transportation for low-income, transit-dependent individuals in the Austin area. Populations served by the fund include adults over the age of 65, people with disabilities, Medicare card holders, low-income workers, refugees and people experiencing homelessness.

For more information, please visit CapMetro.org or contact customer service at 512-474-1200.

AUSTIN, Texas - Starting tomorrow, all federal government employees will be allowed to ride CapMetro services free of charge for the duration of the government shutdown.

Federal workers affected by the partial shutdown can get free rides by showing their federal government employee ID to the bus operator or fare inspector. The free rides are valid on all CapMetro services, including MetroRail and MetroAccess, the agency's paratransit services.

“This is not about politics; it's about being there for our community,” said CapMetro President and CEO Randy Clarke. “Taking care of neighbors in need is the right thing to do. We hope that the free fares allow those who are serving our country to keep moving through this difficult time.”

The partial shutdown began on Dec. 22, and more than 35,000 Texans work for agencies that are currently without funding. Some essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers and border agents, are required to work without pay. According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the federal government employs about 13,000 people in the Austin area. 

CapMetro has several initiatives to address transportation needs of the community. Recently, the agency made permanent its  free fares program for kids K-12. CapMetro also provides discounted transit passes for people in need in the community through its support of the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF). 

Since its inception in 2011, TEF has provided 5 million rides on CapMetro services. The mission of the fund is to enhance access to transportation for low-income, transit-dependent individuals in the Austin area. Populations served by the fund include adults over the age of 65, people with disabilities, Medicare card holders, low-income workers, refugees and people experiencing homelessness.

For more information, please visit CapMetro.org or contact customer service at 512-474-1200.

AUSTIN, Texas - Starting tomorrow, all federal government employees will be allowed to ride CapMetro services free of charge for the duration of the government shutdown.

Federal workers affected by the partial shutdown can get free rides by showing their federal government employee ID to the bus operator or fare inspector. The free rides are valid on all CapMetro services, including MetroRail and MetroAccess, the agency's paratransit services.

“This is not about politics; it's about being there for our community,” said CapMetro President and CEO Randy Clarke. “Taking care of neighbors in need is the right thing to do. We hope that the free fares allow those who are serving our country to keep moving through this difficult time.”

The partial shutdown began on Dec. 22, and more than 35,000 Texans work for agencies that are currently without funding. Some essential personnel, such as air traffic controllers and border agents, are required to work without pay. According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the federal government employs about 13,000 people in the Austin area. 

CapMetro has several initiatives to address transportation needs of the community. Recently, the agency made permanent its  free fares program for kids K-12. CapMetro also provides discounted transit passes for people in need in the community through its support of the Transit Empowerment Fund (TEF). 

Since its inception in 2011, TEF has provided 5 million rides on CapMetro services. The mission of the fund is to enhance access to transportation for low-income, transit-dependent individuals in the Austin area. Populations served by the fund include adults over the age of 65, people with disabilities, Medicare card holders, low-income workers, refugees and people experiencing homelessness.

For more information, please visit CapMetro.org or contact customer service at 512-474-1200.