Here’s a recap of actions taken by the Capital Metro board of directors during its Monday meeting.
1. 85 new parking spots will be built this fall at the Howard Park & Ride station.
A $287,000 contract with MA Smith Contracting Co. will allow for construction of the new spaces, slated to begin this fall.
As it stands, the Park & Ride has 200 spaces and is frequently at or over capacity. This week, Capital Metro will finish construction on 460 new parking spaces at its Lakeline Station Park & Ride.
2. Fixed-route bus service in Round Rock will begin this summer.
Four new bus routes will be implemented to connect Round Rock with the city of Austin. The five-year, $4.67 million contract will provide four routes operated by Capital Metro, which will be reimbursed by the city of Round Rock:
- Round Rock Howard Route 50: Express bus service from Round Rock to the Howard Park & Ride with stops at shopping centers, Round Rock City Hall, the Round Rock Library, Austin Community College’s Round Rock campus and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Round Rock
- Round Rock Circulator Route 51: Service throughout the city with stops at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center, Dell Inc., the Allen. R. Baca Senior Center and area shopping centers
- Tech Ridge Limited Route 52: Service from the Round Rock Transit Center to the Tech Ridge Park & Ride with limited stops, including the Art Institute of Austin
- Austin Route 980: Service from the Round Rock Transit Center to the New Life Church Park & Ride near MoPac and Howard Lane and onto downtown Austin via the new express toll lanes
Fares on routes 50, 51 and 52 will be $1.25 per trip, and the fare on Route 980 will be $3.50 for one trip.
Although some bus service is dependent upon the opening of the MoPac express lanes, the city of Round Rock anticipates starting bus services this summer, including to ACC’s Round Rock campus beginning Aug. 7.
3. More than 96 percent of Capital Metro’s bus stops are now accessible.
This is an increase from about 60 percent in 2012 when the agency identified 996 bus stops that needed to be improved for increased accessibility for pedestrians and those with disabilities. Capital Metro currently has 2,649 bus stops.
Since 2012, the agency has spent almost $8 million improving stops and plans to complete upgrades on about 70 stops for a total of $1 million in fiscal year 2016-17.
4. Capital Metro receives $3.10 in direct benefits for every $1 it invests in service.
Transportation consultant Cambridge Systematics released a report on Capital Metro’s direct economic impact. This includes 5,700 jobs created because of its service resulting in $287 million in income and $416 million added to the region’s economy.
“It’s pretty robust, particularly when you’re talking about direct benefits,” Cambridge Systematics Principal Paula Dowell said.
She said factors driving the agency’s higher return on investment include ridership along the city’s most-popular corridors taking cars off the road and affordable fares for people who rely on transit.
In providing affordable mobility, the agency contributes to 2,055 full-time jobs, $57.5 million in travel costs saved and $12.9 million in income now available to riders who depend on transit and can access jobs, according to the report.
For congestion relief, Capital Metro’s service contributes 2.6 million hours annually of travel time savings valued at $55.6 million and supports 345 full-time jobs resulting in $18 million in income.
