Transportation Update

As part of the city's initiative to provide public transportation, Round Rock officials plan to begin operations of a demand-response bus service as soon as mid-year.

However, the planned reverse commute and express bus routes have been delayed indefinitely, said Round Rock Transportation Director Gary Hudder. Hudder said the City Council has directed the staff not to pursue those systems for the time being.

He did say the council has authorized them to move forward with a five-year contract for demand-response service that would cost about $2.5 million over the life of the contract.

The implementation of the demand-response service has already been delayed several times as the city has worked to put together its first transportation system.

To fund the new systems, Round Rock has been approved by Capital Metro to become a direct recipient of federal funds approximately one year after Capital Metro pulled funding for Round Rock's previous contract with the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS).

As a result, Round Rock will receive about $426,000 in federal funds, Hudder said, about $175,000 of which will go to the demand-response service.

Demand-response bus service

  • Attempts to replace CARTS' demand-response service
  • CARTS will continue operating through at least May 31
  • Will operate only within city limits
  • No fixed routes

Express bus

  • Would travel from the Round Rock Intermodal Transit and Parking Facility to the Tech Ridge Park and Ride
  • Would run during peak morning and evening hours with a midday trip

Reverse commute bus service

  • Would connect the Tech Ridge Park and Ride to major employers in Round Rock near Toll 45 and I-35
  • Would run during peak morning and evening hours with a midday trip

Funding source: City of Round Rock, federal funding

Timeline: Round Rock Transportation Director Gary Hudder said the goal is to begin the demand-response service on June 1 when federal funding could become available. Any delay in federal funding could mean a delay in the implementation of the bus service. The express and reverse commute services have been delayed indefinitely.

Cost: Approximately $2.5 million over five years for the demand-response service