Round Rock prepares to implement fixed-bus route system for first time ever

“Because we are never quite sure of the capacity of the timing and the use, we have defined this service as a one-year pilot program in our contract negotiations with Capital Metro,” Transportation Director Gary Hudder said. “If we determine we are a little early on the curve, we will just revert back to the current service we have and wait for the right time to roll out this service. I don’t think that will be the case, though.”

The city has negotiated a five-year deal with Capital Metro in anticipation of future service. Round Rock Transit Coordinator Caren Lee said she believes the need for public transit is shared by the elderly taking trips to the Allen R. Baca Center and by younger residents using transit to get to work and school.

“The implementation has been lengthy,” Hudder said. “We’ve had to work with private property owners for bus stops; when you start thinking about all those minute details with signage and construction, a lot of that stuff has kept us busy.”

Some surrounding cities also lack public transit that is not demand-based. Hutto utilizes the Capital Area Rural Transportation System, which serves the non-urbanized areas of Travis and Williamson counties.

Helen Ramirez, executive director of business and development services, said Hutto is furthering its menu of public transit options, but first it is working on a mobility plan.

“We’re looking at options to whittle down traffic—biking, pedestrian trails, commuter rail, public transit,” she said.

Pflugerville, too, lacks any fixed-route public transit. Spokesperson Terri Toledo said the city utilizes Drive a Senior-Senior Access. She said Pflugerville previously worked with Capital Metro to develop a three-year transit-development plan, and that project is still ongoing.