Leander on-demand bus service called Pickup launches Dec. 17

On-demand bus service provided by Capital Metro rolls into Leander on Dec. 17.

Called Pickup, the service is similar to ride-hailing and allows riders to arrange a ride through the Pickup app to their destination within a zoned area. Riders pay the standard fare of $1.25 per trip.

The Leander on-demand bus service will be available weekdays from 6 a.m.-7 p.m., and riders will be able to use it to get to and from the Leander MetroRail station, according to a news release. Riders who do not have a smartphone may request a ride by calling 512-369-6200.

The Leander Pickup zone also includes the Austin Community College San Gabriel Campus, Bagdad Activity Center, Leander City Hall, Leander ISD schools and St. David’s Medical Center.

Leander is the sixth Pickup zone for Capital Metro, and the agency has reported ridership in the other five zones doubling since September, according to the release. The service first launched in 2017 as a pilot program, and the agency explored different zones throughout the region.

Capital Metro had been planning the service for some time but accelerated the timeline of the launch after the city of Leander considered withdrawing from the Capital Metro service area, a spokesperson previously told Community Impact Newspaper. Cities in Capital Metro’s service area provide the transit agency with revenue from a 1% sales tax for transit service.