Capital Metro

A bus with a digital display that says "Come In Cool Off!"

Transportation

CapMetro will now offer free rides to Austin's cooling centers through the end of September

Andrew Weber

Austin's bus operator is letting folks experiencing homelessness get a free ride to cool off — no questions asked.

A sign on a bus reads, "Come in cool off!"

Austin

CapMetro expands free rides to cooling centers. Advocates for homeless Austinites push for more.

Skye Seipp

The transit agency lowered its threshold to offer free rides by about 2 degrees — to 103. As a heat wave drags on, advocates have been calling for free rides throughout August and September.

An illustration showing an imagined light-rail system on a non-descript Austin street. The tracks are in the middle of the street with a blue rail vehicle facing toward us, stopped at a light-rail station. On either side of the tracks are busy two-lane streets.

Transportation

How much should it cost to ride Austin's light rail?

Nathan Bernier

Years before anyone can board the train, people are pushing Capital Metro to commit to keeping bus and light-rail fares the same.

A cross-section illustration of what a subway station could look like. At the ground-level, a small structure is surrounded by trees. On the level beneath that is the "back of house" infrastructure needed to keep the station running. The second level down is a concourse and the bottom level is a station platform. Escalators are shown connecting each level.

Transportation

Here's what Austin's subway stations could look like

Nathan Bernier

The vision presented by the Austin Transit Partnership previews a future where Austin would join the ranks of American cities with their own iconic subways like New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco.

A red MetroBus saying 803 Westgate approaches the camera. A woman with long dark hair wearing a white shirt, skirt and handbag appears to be waiting for the bus to pull over. Behind her, a some rentable electric scooters line the sidewalk. People in the background are walking around in light clothing like shorts and t-shirts. A burnt orange street sign says "West 27th Street," indicating this is in the University of Texas area. Trees covered in leaves create a green backdrop.

Transportation

CapMetro will let riders get off between stops at night and allow open strollers on buses

Nathan Bernier

Two pilot projects are being permanently adopted.

Capital Metro buses lined up at Norwood Transit Center. Each bus is parked at the curb waiting for passengers. In the distance, a man wearing a blue mask and a black fedora is pushing a personal cart containing some belongings along the sidewalk towards the buses.

Transportation

Why high gas prices aren't hitting Capital Metro ... yet

Nathan Bernier

CapMetro powers hundreds of diesel-fueled buses every day for less than $2 per gallon, but those costs are set to multiply in the coming months.

People standing around at North Lamar Transit Center waiting for the bus. One mean is leaning against a pillar with a mask on. Others are milling about.

Transportation

Capital Metro won't return to a full schedule this summer after all

Nathan Bernier

The former CEO had said the transit agency expects to restore service cuts implemented last September, but August's schedules show that's not happening.

A cutaway view of a CapMetro light-rail vehicle

Transportation

This is what Austin's light-rail trains could look like

Nathan Bernier

The Austin Transit Partnership has unveiled more details about the trains it wants for a multibillion dollar light-rail service set to be up and running as soon as 2029.

A view of a bus driver's seat on a Capital Metro bus

Transportation

CapMetro has enough bus drivers for now, but will need more as service expands

Nathan Bernier

The transit agency recruited more than 150 bus drivers this year but is still struggling with buying enough bus parts and hiring enough mechanics.

A MetroRail train parked at Leander's station

Transportation

After Leander vote secures transit service, CapMetro looks to 'win over' skeptics

Nathan Bernier

Leander voted 59% in favor of staying in the Capital Metro system and the 1% sales tax that pays for transit service.