Group considers adding direct trips, reducing inefficient routes

This spring, the public can weigh in on Capital Metro's proposed bus service changes for Southwest Austin.

The changes are based on rider and staff feedback as well as productivity studies, Principal Planner James Gamez said.

Route 171 Direct

Capital Metro may increase the number of direct trips from the Oak Hill Park & Ride to downtown from five morning/four afternoon to six morning/six afternoon trips.

Gamez said rider surveys have indicated that direct trips are more popular than trips with more stops.

Route 171 Oak Hill Flyer

One proposal is to decrease the number of neighborhood trips through Westcreek and Windmill Run from two morning/three afternoon to one morning/one afternoon trip.

Capital Metro spokeswoman Erica Macioge said the Westcreek neighborhood averages five to seven daily boardings, and the Windmill Run neighborhood averages 12–15.

The desired minimum frequency for flyer routes is 20 weekday boardings, according to the authority's Service Guidelines and Standards.

Route 111 South MoPac Flyer

Capital Metro is considering creating a new bus route that would run parallel to South MoPac. It would stop along Escarpment Boulevard and Beckett Road near the Circle C H-E-B, Dick Nichols Park and the Shops at Arbor Trails, Macioge said. It would have one morning and one afternoon trip.

Public hearings

• March 5, 6–8 a.m. Oak Hill Park & Ride, West Hwy. 290 near William Cannon Drive
• March 5, noon–2 p.m., 323 Congress Ave.
• March 6, 6–8 p.m. University Hills Library, 4721 Loyola Lane
• March 8, noon–1 p.m. Online webinar
• March 18, 12–12:15 p.m. Capital Metro board hearing
• March 25, noon–3 p.m. Capital Metro board meeting

January changes

• The Route 5 Woodrow/South Fifth bus path now replaces part of Route 311's old route. It now picks up riders in the Monterey Oaks neighborhood.
• The new Route 238 West Gate feeder route travels from West Gate Mall to Slaughter Lane.
• The Route 311 Stassney bus extends northeast to reach Austin Community College's Riverside Campus.
• The Route 338 Lamar/45th bus is now a shorter route to Westgate Mall.

Source: Capital Metro

Park & Ride

This summer, the Texas Department of Transportation will begin improving intersections along West Hwy. 290.

TxDOT owns the Park & Ride and is allowing Capital Metro to use it through 2020.

"While the Oak Hill Park & Ride will be impacted by construction, there will still be adequate parking to accommodate current and potential customers at the Park & Ride," Capital Metro spokeswoman Erica Macioge said.

The Park & Ride will be able to hold 108 cars during construction.