________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CapMetro

Transportation & Logistics International joins CapMetro CEO, Dottie Watkins, to find out what is driving the business’ success. She starts by introducing some more details about operations.“ We are primarily funded by a local sales tax and have, over the decades, grown into a multimodal organization. We primarily run a bus fleet, but we also have a commuter rail route, and we run several on demand micro transit services. Overall, we provide a great multimodal set of services, but we’ re always looking for new ways to help support our community to navigate their journeys.”

The most recent manifestation of CapMetro’ s innovation is a transit expansion project called Project Connect. Approved by voters in November 2020, the cost is estimated at $ 7.1 billion and will be financed with public funds. As Dottie explains, Project Connect covers a variety of high-capacity transit solutions designed to help CapMetro manage a growing region.“ In terms of population, the Central Texas region we serve is about two million people and this is continuing to grow, plus we’ re seeing a lot of businesses moving here. Project Connect is the strategy we created to provide a world class transit solution for a world class city. It includes services such as rapid bus transit lines, which will fully launch in 2026.” CapMetro is also introducing additional pickup services, as part of its microtransit neighborhood zone-based service, as well

... we are deploying a rapid bus transit program with electric battery buses, and we’ re installing end of line charging infrastructure to help keep the buses charged all day

as general investments to all routes, such as incorporating zero-emission buses into their fleet, opening a new rail station and new park and ride areas throughout the service area.

Another element of Project Connect is a brand-new light rail line of just over ten miles. Currently going through the initial design, planning and environmental clearance process, the project’ s construction phase could begin in the next year and a half, with a target completion of around eight years.

Dottie notes that what makes this project stand out is the true partnership approach that has been adopted by CapMetro, The City of Austin and Austin Transit Partnership( ATP).“ Due to how we are governed and structured as the Central Texas transit agency, we needed a partner to help us raise additional tax revenue to fund the project. The City of Austin has that ability and we’ ve created a local government corporation called the ATP which is leading the planning, design, construction and implementation of the project, and we work in close partnership with ATP on its delivery.”

Austin Light Rail Phase 1 includes 15 stops connecting key destinations including UT, Downtown, East Riverside and South Congress. It will also add a new bridge across Lady Bird Lake, creating a faster and more reliable way to cross the river during peak travel times. This bridge will also include an additional path for pedestrians and cyclists.

“ In addition to the light rail, Project Connect’ s other components are equally exciting though less infrastructure-heavy,” Dottie adds.“ For example, we are deploying a rapid bus transit program with electric battery buses, and we’ re installing end

tlimagazine. com 65