Capital Metro announced it will close four of its Congress Avenue bus stops starting on November 6th as part of a pilot program. These are the stops affected:
Northbound, Congress at 6th
Northbound, Congress at 7th
Southbound, Congress at 8th
Southbound, Congress at 7th
The stops will be temporarily closed in hopes of smoothing traffic in the area and reducing the risk for accidents. As Cap Metro explains:
Congress Avenue poses many challenges to Capital Metro. Because our buses stop at every block along Congress, buses "stack up" and move very slowly down Congress. A significant number of minor collisions involving a Capital Metro bus occur along Congress. Many bus stops on Congress are not ideal for customers, either, often squeezed in between intersections, sidewalks and parking. View the presentation detailing the challenges and the pilot program.
The change will affect several bus routes, as the Austin Business Journal reports:
The change affects routes 1L/1M, 2, 5, 6, 7, 20, 30, 101, 127, 142, 174 and 990. All have alternative stops within two blocks. Signs on the close stops will direct riders to the next closest transit stop.
Cap Metro plans to close the stops permanently if the pilot program proves effective. People potentially affected by the change are encouraged to go the Cap Metro website or call (512) 474-1200.