“This is great news for the hardworking frontline staff at CapMetro and it will truly make a difference,” said Dottie Watkins, interim Capital Metro president & CEO, in a press release. “Workforce development is an important part of our strategic plan and investing in our frontline staff to best serve our community is key.”
As Capital Metro has struggled with staffing shortages amidst the pandemic, the Austin transit agency will use its grant to hire and retain more staff with career development services and training. Frontline workers such as operators, supervisors, mechanics and dispatchers will undergo a training program with the goal of providing employees better support and furthering long-term employment.
“By better supporting our team members at the beginning of their tenure, it will ensure confidence in their new roles and increase the likelihood of long-term employment,” Capital Metro communications specialist Blythe Nebeker told Community Impact Newspaper.
The grant comes through the Federal Transit Authority’s Route Planning Restoration Program, which allocates $25 million ARP dollars to help transit agencies recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Capital Metro service, exacerbating staffing shortages,” Nebeker said. “Successful recruitment and retention are vital to restore pre-pandemic service levels and expand service as part of the voter-approved Project Connect program.”
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, advocated for the transportation funding and is the only Central Texas lawmaker who voted to approve the American Rescue Plan, said Kate Stotesbery, Doggett’s deputy chief and communications director.
“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,” Doggett said in a press release.
Capital Metro is actively hiring bus operators, starting at $22 per hour, and mechanics, earning a minimum of $31 per hour. Certain qualified candidates may also receive a $3,500 signing bonus. The increased wages were announced in 2021 and took effect in January.
For more information on Capital Metro job openings, visit here.
