CapMetro Awarded $780,000 from the American Rescue Plan

Funds will help agency with frontline recruitment and retention efforts, staff training and career development services.

AUSTIN, TX (June 3, 2022) – The Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration announced that CapMetro will receive $780,100 in funding passed in the American Rescue Plan to help strengthen frontline recruitment and retention efforts, staff training and career development services.

“More good news for Austin from the American Rescue Plan, which has done so much for our community,” said U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett. “These federal funds will help address workforce shortages, grow good-paying jobs, and upgrade the skills of CapMetro workers. These dollars support our continuing work to meet our mobility challenges and improve public transportation — getting people to work, school, and play, helping our transportation infrastructure grow stronger as our city grows.”

This American Rescue Plan Route Planning Restoration grant will help CapMetro plan and implement a training program for frontline staff positions, including operators, mechanics, supervisors, and dispatchers to better support them at their time of hire and increase long-term employment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on transit agencies, including CapMetro, which has had to adjust its service schedule in order to continue providing safe and reliable service to customers due to labor shortages. As the transit agency continues to actively recruit for frontline staff positions, this grant will be essential in helping re-establish service levels and provide even more resources for staff members who wish to grow their career at CapMetro.

“This is great news for the hardworking frontline staff at CapMetro and it will truly make a difference,” said interim CapMetro President & CEO Dottie Watkins. “Workforce development is an important part of our strategic plan and investing in our frontline staff to best serve our community is key.”

CapMetro is currently actively recruiting bus operators and mechanics. Bus operators are expected to start at a wage of $22 per hour and mechanics would earn at least $31 per hour. Some qualified candidates can also earn up to a $3,500 signing bonus.

For more information on the available positions, and how to apply, visit CapMetro's Careers page.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Tawaun Cole
CCR-Communications@CapMetro.org

Blythe Nebeker
CCR-Communications@CapMetro.org