Public transit provider Capital Metro is proposing an update to its fare payment system, recommending a tap-to-pay system that would go into effect beginning in March. Fares are not changing, only the way to pay for fares, staff said.

The why

Samantha Baez, CapMetro’s executive vice president of experience and engagement, highlighted the advantages of the new system during a public hearing Jan. 15.

“It is more seamless; it is faster and more reliable than what we are currently using,” she said.

The new payment system accepts debit and credit cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

What’s changing?

The CapMetro app would be discontinued in March. Riders would now use a new app, Umo Mobility, to pay for fares and a CapMetro Transit app for planning trips ahead of time—single-use fares can still be purchased on-site using cash or digital wallets.

Staff have indicated that the goal is to have the Umo and Transit app integrated as soon as possible, simplifying user experience with only one app to both navigate routes and pay fares.

The agency will also be making changes to existing pass and fare cards.

The seven-day and 31-day passes will be going away, as the new fare system has automatic daily and monthly fare caps that eliminate the potential to overpay.

Should the new program roll out, current pass and plastic card holders—including AMP cards—will need to be exchanged for the newest CapMetro Reloadable Fare cards starting in February.

CapMetro staff will be available to help any individuals with remaining balances shift those funds onto the new reloadable cards, with all digital passes in the CapMetro app also needing to be used or migrated before March.

Existing ticket vending machines will remain available to reload the new CapMetro Reloadable Fare card.

Looking ahead

Should the board approve these changes during their Jan. 27 meeting, riders can expect:

• Jan. 31: discontinuation of sales of 31-day passes and remove the option to add stored value in the CapMetro App
• Feb. 13: end of sales of seven-day and day passes in the CapMetro App
• Mar. 1: retirement of the CapMetro App and AMP cards
• April 1: retirement of all previous plastic cards, including 31-day, seven-day, stored value and plastic passes distributed by social services

The changes will not impact the use or eligibility requirements for Reduced Fare or MetroAccess ID card holders. Qualified riders can continue to tap their new cards on the farebox or present them to the operator to receive a cash fare discount.

Anyone using the CapMetro Pickup services will need to either download the new Umo app to pay fares or use the Pickup app specifically for booking and paying for trips.

One more thing

CapMetro began testing two new MetroRapid service lines in East Austin on Jan. 12.

Claimed by the agency to be “the most significant service changes CapMetro has completed in several years,” the two routes—Rapid 800 Pleasant Valley and Rapid 837 Expo Center—are part of CapMetro’s Project Connect contributions to expand and improve the city’s transit network.



The transit agency announced that the new bus routes will officially launch later this spring, following the completion of essential infrastructure testing for the all-electric buses that will operate on these lines.

Additionally, a new Pickup Zone in the Decker and Colony Park area began services Jan. 13.

The Decker Pickup zone joins several others across the metro area, offering a neighborhood ride-share service that facilitates transportation of individuals out of the neighborhood to local transit stops.