CapMetro Bus explained

CapMetro Bus
Parent:Capital Metro
Headquarters:2910 E. Fifth Street, Austin, Texas
Locale:Central Texas
Stops:2,300
Hubs:17 Park and ride/Transit centers
Stations:26 CapMetro Rapid station pairs
Ridership:
Annual Ridership:
Fuel Type:Diesel, Electric
Operator:Keolis
Leader:Dottie Watkins
Leader Type:President and CEO

CapMetro Bus is the bus public transit service of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) of Austin, Texas and serves Austin and the surrounding areas. MetroBus services include 82 standard routes and 15 high-frequency bus routes . It has several categories of routes: Local, Flyer and Limited, Feeder, Crosstown, Special services and UT Shuttles. CapMetro also operates an express bus service, MetroExpress, and a bus rapid transit service, CapMetro Rapid, in addition to the agency's commuter rail service, CapMetro Rail. In, the bus system had a ridership of, or about per weekday as of .

History

At the agency's inception, CapMetro originally operated a series of "paired" route service where two different routes that pass through downtown are served by the same buses, allowing riders to transfer between certain routes without leaving the bus. Since 2008, this practice has been eliminated and after a number of route pair reassignments, the agency merged the paired routes under single route numbers (for example, the 1 North Lamar and 13 South Congress were originally paired as they were the two busiest routes in the system, but they have since been merged as 1 North Lamar/South Congress).

Meanwhile, most local routes carried two digits before CapMetro assigned a third digit for routes that do not serve downtown in 2000 (for example, 25 Ohlen became 325). Flyer routes were renumbered altogether to match their local stop counterparts (for example, 65 Manchaca Flyer became 103), while express routes that operated during commute times only contained letters (for example, NEX Northeast Express was renamed 990 Manor/Elgin Express; but was originally 70 Northeast Express).

Vehicles

The majority of the current bus fleet consists of vehicles produced by two manufacturers, Gillig and New Flyer, with only relatively small generational design variations, most visibly in the use of flip-dot destination displays on older series versus LED displays on newer buses. A few smaller series of buses were acquired from other manufacturers, notably Optima (used preferentially on MetroRail shuttles) and MCI (used on express services). Older bus series produced by TMC and Blue Bird are no longer in service.

Standard routes

Local

MetroBus Local routes are intended to connect specific neighborhoods of Austin to Downtown Austin, with frequent stops. Since June 2014, north–south service within downtown Austin for all routes is provided via Lavaca Street northbound and Guadalupe Street southbound, with all routes serving at least one stop along both streets.

Prior to relocating routes to the Guadalupe/Lavaca corridor, many routes formerly utilized Brazos Street northbound and Colorado Street southbound before various construction projects took place. Since June 2014, the remaining lines no longer use Congress Avenue between 11th Street and Barton Springs Road. East-west service within downtown Austin for all routes is provided via 5th Street eastbound and 4th and 6th Streets westbound, so as to provide a connection along the Lavaca/Guadalupe corridor.

Some MetroBus routes are designated High-Frequency routes and operate with a headway of 15 minutes between buses weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays. Routes :[1]

MetroBus Local routes
+ style="background: #CF378C; color:#FFFFFF; padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;" class="nowrap" MetroBus Local High-Frequency routesRt.NameTerminalsInterlinesCreatedNotesRef.
1North Lamar / South CongressTech Ridge Park and Ride via North Lamar Transit CenterE William Cannon at Bluff Springs via South Congress Transit Center
  • Originally 1 North Lamar, paired with 13; merged in Aug 2001
  • Jan 2006 split into 1L and 1M
  • Renamed 1 Metric/South Congress (sometimes 1 North Lamar/ South Congress via Metric) in 2014, Lamar section became 275
  • Jun 3, 2018 rerouted on Lamar and name changed, replacing 275; old route via Metric covered by 325
2Rosewood / Cesar ChavezShady Lane at 5th StreetAirport at Springdale
  • Paired with 10 until Feb 2000
  • Jun 3, 2018 Ledesma, Lott, Prock, and Sara section eliminated
  • Merged with 17 Cesar Chavez on January 8, 2023
3Burnet / ManchacaSouthpark MeadowsGreat Hills at Stonelake
  • Originally 3 Burnet, paired with 17 until Feb 2000 then with 12
  • Aug 2001, merged with 12 as 3 Burnet / Manchaca
  • Feb 2002, extended north to the Arboretum over portions of 244 and 240
47th Street5th at Campbell7th at Shady
  • Paired with 18 until Aug 2008
  • Jun 3, 2018 service east of Shady on 7th, 183, and Vargas eliminated; renamed 4 7th Street
  • Proposed MetroRapid 804 on remainder of the corridor
[2]
5Woodrow / East 12thTannehill at WebbervilleNorthcross Mall
  • Originally 5 Woodrow, paired with 26 until Aug 2008; merged with 16 to form 5 Woodrow/South 5th
  • Jun 3, 2018, sections transferred to 105 and 315; service on Monterey Oaks, Staggerbrush, and Roadrunner discontinued; rerouted on Lamar to downtown replacing part of 338
  • Merged with 6 East 12th on January 8, 2023.
7Duval / Dove SpringsE William Cannon at Bluff SpringsCrestview station
  • Originally 7 Duval, paired with 27 until Aug 2008 when they merged
  • Aug 2010, 7 extended north to current end replacing part of 339 Walnut Creek / Koenig (39 before February 2001; this section originally part of 24)
  • Jun 3, 2018, service on Peppertree Pkwy discontinued; service on Huntland, St. Johns, and Cameron transferred to 10 and 300
10South First / Red RiverSouthpark MeadowsRutherford Wal-Mart
  • Originally 10 South First, paired with 2 until Feb 2000 then 20 until Aug 2008 when 10 merged with 15 to form 10 South First/Red River
  • Jun 3, 2018, service north of ACC Highland transferred to 324; parts of old route covered by 325 and 350
  • Red River section proposed to be covered by the Gold Line as part of Project Connect
18ML KingExposition at Lake AustinHefflin at Springdale
  • Paired with 4 Montopolis until Aug 2008
  • MetroRapid 818 proposed for this corridor
20Manor / RiversideAustin-Bergstrom International AirportLBJ High School
  • Sometimes signed "20 Manor Road / Riverside"
  • Originally 20 Manor Road / LBJ
  • Portion split off as 120 by Aug 1996
  • Paired with 12 until Feb 2000; then 10 until Aug 2008 when it merged with 26 to form 20 Manor / Riverside
  • Jun 3, 2018, rerouted directly and extended to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport replacing part of 350 and causing 100 to be discontinued. Portion of old route via Wickersham transferred to 310; service on Oltorf and Pleasant Valley covered by 300
  • Riverside section proposed to be covered by the Blue Line (CapMetro) as part of Project Connect
  • MetroRapid 820 proposed on remainder of the corridor
30Barton Creek / Bull CreekNorthcross MallWestgate Transit Center via Barton Creek Square Mall
  • Paired with 28 until Feb 2000, when 28 was renumbered 328; 30 paired with 328 until Aug 2008
  • Jun 3, 2018, section to South Congress Transfer Center transferred to 315
  • Rerouted to Westgate Transit Center rather than Western Trails Boulevard in Jun 2019
  • Merged with 19 Bull Creek on January 8, 2023
Former Local routes
+ style="background: #CF378C; color:#FFFFFF; padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em" class="nowrap" Former Local High-Frequency routesRt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
1LNorth Lamar / South Congress
  • Eliminated due to creation of 801; service along Lamar replaced by 275
1MMetric / South Congress
  • Renamed 1 due to creation of 801.
6East 12th
  • Merged with 5
8Govalle
  • Rerouted over portion of 20 when 20 and 120 were split by fall 1996
  • Renamed 300
9Enfield / Travis Heights
  • Paired with 14 when 11 eliminated
  • Originally 9 Enfield; August 2008 it replaced 14 and name changed
  • Eliminated due to low ridership; covered by: 21/22 on Exposition, 662 on Enfield, 1 on Congress, 331 on Oltorf, 300 extension on Ben White west of Woodward
  • Service west of MoPac not on Enfield or Exposition not immediately replaced until restored by Pickup; service in Travis Heights neighborhood and on Burleson (from Oltorf to Ben White) not replaced
11Cherrywood
  • Paired with 14 until eliminated
11Stassney
  • Renumbered 111
12Manchaca
  • Paired with 20 until Feb 2000 then 3 until 3 and 12 merged
13South Congress
  • Paired with 1 until merged with it
14Travis Heights
  • Paired with 11 until 11 eliminated then with 9 until 14 and 9 merged
15Red River
  • Paired with 16 until 15 merged with 10
16South Fifth / Westgate
  • Paired with 15 until 16 merged with 5
17Cesar Chavez
  • Merged with 2
19Bull Creek
  • Merged with 30
21Exposition
  • 21 ran clockwise, 22 ran counterclockwise; signed 21 Exposition Loop; both eliminated at the same time
  • Parts replaced by 335; part covered by 17 and 18; portion on Exposition replaced by Pickup
22Chicon
  • 21 ran clockwise, 22 ran counterclockwise; signed 22 Chicon Loop; both eliminated at the same time
  • Parts replaced by 335; part covered by 17 and 18; portion on Exposition replaced by Pickup; remainder changed from 22 to 322 as it no longer went through downtown
23Wood Hollow
  • Merged with 19
23Johnny Morris
  • Renamed 323
24Walnut Creek
  • Merged into 39
25Ohlen
  • Paired with 3 until Jan 1997 on weekdays, and until Jan 1998 on Saturdays
  • Renamed 325
26Riverside
  • Paired with 5 until merged with 20
27Dove Springs
  • Paired with 7 until merged with it 7
28Ben White
  • Originally paired with 30 until 28 renamed 328
29Barton Hills
  • Paired with 19 until Jan 1998
  • Eliminated due to low ridership; service on Robert E. Lee Blvd. transferred to 30
31Oltorf
  • Paired with 46 until Jan 1999
  • Renamed 331
32Airport Boulevard
  • Combined with 46 and part of 8 to form 350
33William Cannon
  • Renamed 333
34Great Hills
  • Part transferred to 383; remainder redundant with other routes
37Colony Park
  • Paired with 38 until Aug 2000
  • Rerouted over part of 320; As the route no longer served downtown, renamed 337
38South Lamar
  • Paired with 37 until Aug 2000
  • Renamed 338 South Lamar
39Walnut Creek / Koenig
  • Originally 39 Koenig Lane
  • By fall 1996, rerouted replacing 24 and renamed Walnut Creek / Koenig
  • Renamed 339
40Parkfield
  • Renamed 240; part transferred to 383
42Quail Valley / Metric
  • Renamed 242; rerouted off Quail Valley
43South Oaks
  • Originally 43 Southwest Oaks; extended and renamed by Jan 1994
  • Renumbered 203/204
44Cedar Bend
  • Originally 44 Balcones Northwest
  • Rerouted and renamed 44 Cedar Bend
  • Renamed 244
45Copperfield
  • Renamed 245
46Bergstrom
  • Paired with 31 until Jan 1999
  • Combined with 32 and part of 8 to form 350
47?
  • Ran along US 183 corridor.
47East 26th Street
  • Created between May 1994 and August 1996
91East Lakeline
  • Renumbered 205
92West Lakeline
  • Renumbered 206
111Stassney
  • Renumbered from 11; renamed 311; number later reused.
120St. Johns
  • Replaced St. Johns section of 20; extended east replacing 208 in Jan 1998
  • Renamed 320
151Allandale
  • Split from 51
  • Renamed 491
161Delwood
  • Split from 151
  • Renamed 492
201North Loop
20245th Street
  • Went in the opposite direction as 201
  • Eliminated when 201 rerouted and became an independent route
202Battle Bend
  • Eliminated due to low ridership.
203Buckingham Circulator
  • Originally 43 South Oaks, renumbered when route extended to Buckingham
  • Renamed 252 and western part eliminated
204Southwest Oaks Circulator
  • Originally 43 South Oaks, renumbered when route extended to Buckingham
  • Renamed 252 and western part eliminated
205East Lakeline
  • Formerly 91
206West Lakeline
  • Formerly 92
208East Austin Circulator
  • Merged into 120
209Lohmans
  • Served The Island, Bar K Ranch, and City Hall area
  • Discontinued due to low ridership; Bar K Ranch and City Hall area service merged into 102
238Westgate
  • Created from part of 338
  • Renumbered 318 and extended east via Slaughter Lane
240Rutland
  • Renamed from 40
  • Section on Kramer eliminated; section on Braker transferred to 392 in Feb 2002
  • Rerouted north on Parkfield replacing part of 244; rerouted several times, until August 2010
  • Portions replaced by 324; sections covered by 803, 466, and 325; other portions lost service until restored by Pickup
242Metric
  • Renamed from 42
  • Eliminated in January 2006; part became branch of 1; rest renamed 243
244Cedar Bend
  • Renamed from 44 Cedar Bend
  • Part transferred to 3; part to 240; remainder renumbered 391
245Copperfield
  • Renamed from 45
  • Part transferred to 1; remainder renumbered 392
252Buckingham Slaughter
  • Became 201; section through Buckingham eliminated due to low ridership

Limited and Flyer

CapMetro's Limited and Flyer routes are limited stop services between two destinations. Limited routes tend to have fewer stops compared to their local counterparts, while Flyer routes serve nonstop between downtown or the UT campus and their neighborhoods of service. Limited and Flyer routes are designated by routes 100–199. Routes :

MetroBus Flyer routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsInterlinesCreatedNotesRef.
103Manchaca FlyerSlaughter at ManchacaDeen Keeton at San Jacinto
  • Renamed from 65
  • Rush hour service: northbound in the morning peak, southbound in the afternoon peak
  • No boarding beyond Manchaca at Prather traveling northbound or beyond N Lamar at W 5th southbound
105South 5th FlyerUT/ West MallWestgate Mall
  • Replaced part of 5
111South Mopac FlyerEscarpment at South BaySan Jacinto at Dean Keeton
  • Rush hour service: northbound in the morning peak, southbound in the afternoon peak
  • Proposed to be rerouted via Mopac to a new Park and Ride at Slaughter as part of Project Connect
[3]
135Dell LimitedE 7th at Pleasant ValleyTech Ridge Park and Ride
  • Rush hour service: northbound in the morning peak, southbound in the afternoon
142Metric FlyerS Congress at RiversideAmherst at Duval
  • Renamed from 62
  • Rush hour service: southbound in the morning peak, northbound in the afternoon
  • No boarding beyond W Rundberg at N Lamar when traveling southbound, Congress at 18th northbound
152Round Rock Tech Ridge LimitedTech Ridge StationBaghdad at Brown
171Oak Hill FlyerSilver Mine at SH 71Red River at E 32nd
  • Rush hour service (except a single reverse peak run midday): northbound in the morning peak, southbound in the afternoon
  • Renamed from 63
Former Limited and Flyer routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
41LWells Branch Limited
52Round Rock Tech Ridge
  • Renumbered 152 because route is limited-stop
61Dove Springs Flyer
  • Renamed 127
62Metric Flyer
  • Renamed 142
63Oak Hill Flyer
  • Formerly OKX
  • Renamed 171
64South Central Flyer
  • Renamed 110
65Manchaca Flyer
  • Renamed 103
66North Central Flyer
  • Eliminated and replaced by 74 and 201/202
67Cameron Road Flyer
  • Eliminated due to low ridership.
68MLK Flyer
  • Eliminated due to low ridership.
74North Burnet Flyer
  • Number chosen as express of 44
  • Originally 74 William Cannon/Parmer Express until Jan 1997
  • Renamed 174
101North Lamar Limited
  • Initially trial route planned to end Jan 2000, but successful enough it was kept
  • Eliminated due to creation of 801
110South Central Flyer
  • Renamed from 64
  • Rush hour service; northbound in the morning peak, southbound in the afternoon
  • No boarding beyond S 1st at Stassney traveling northbound, S 1st at Barton Springs southbound
122Four Points Limited
  • Eliminated due to low ridership
  • Proposed to be restored as part of Project Connect, but would only go from Downtown to proposed Four Points Park-and-Ride; will not have service from the Four Points Park-and-Ride to Lakeline; would also stop at a proposed Park-and-Ride at RM 2222 & Loop 360
127Dove Springs Flyer
  • Renamed from 61 Dove Springs Flyer
  • Rush hour service; northbound in the morning peak, southbound in the afternoon
  • No boarding beyond E Stassney at I-35 traveling northbound, E Cesar Chavez at Trinity southbound
137Colony Park Flyer
  • Eliminated due to low ridership.
150Round Rock Howard Station Limited
  • Replaced limited-stop portion of 50
174North Burnet Limited
  • Eliminated due to low ridership.
495Dell
  • Renumbered 135

Feeder

CapMetro's Feeder routes are local services between a neighborhood and a major transfer point for connecting service. Feeder routes are designated by routes 200–299. Routes :

MetroBus Feeder routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsCreatedNotesRef.
201Southpark MeadowsAkins High SchoolE William Cannon at Bluff Springs
  • Some services short-turn at Southpark Meadows
214Northwest FeederThunderbird at DawnLakeline Station
  • Renamed from 102
  • Renamed from 214 Lago Vista Feeder
228VA ClinicMetropolis at Veteran's CenterACC Riverside
  • Renamed from 28
  • August 2010 renamed from 328
  • June 3, 2018, changed from 228; service on Burleson, 71, Todd, and Woodward discontinued due to low ridership; rerouted replacing part of 331
233Decker/Daffan LaneManor at Ed BluesteinLoyola at Wentworth
  • Formerly 233 Far Northeast Feeder
237Northeast FeederManor at Ed BluesteinCommunity First! Village
243Wells BranchHoward stationTech Ridge Park and Ride
  • Replaced part of 242
271Del Valle FlexACC RiversideRass Road
Former Feeder routes
+ style="background: #CF378C; color:#FFFFFF; padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;" class="nowrap" Former Feeder High-Frequency routesRt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
39A CFCedar Feeder
41 LVFLago Vista Feeder
  • Renamed 102
102 LVFLago Vista Feeder
  • Renamed 214
275North Lamar Feeder
  • Created from part of 1
  • Now covered by 1
217Montopolis Feeder
  • Temporary route replacing portion of 17
  • Will become part of 17 again when long-term construction at US 183 and Montopolis intersection complete

Crosstown

CapMetro's Crosstown routes are local services between two neighborhoods of Austin, for which the route does not pass through Downtown Austin or the University of Texas. Some Crosstown routes are designated High-Frequency routes and operate with a headway of 15 minutes between buses weekdays, 20 minutes Saturdays. Crosstown routes are designated by routes 300–399.

MetroBus Crosstown routes
+ style="background: #CF378C; color:#FFFFFF; padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em;" class="nowrap" MetroBus Crosstown High-Frequency routesRt.NameTerminalsInterlinesCreatedNotesRef.
300Springdale/OltorfCrestview StationWestgate Transit Center
  • Renamed from 8; extended south of Oltorf & Burton in Aug 2010 due to elimination of 9
  • Jun 3, 2018 rerouted to Westgate Mall replacing most of 331; route to south Congress Transfer Center transferred to 310; rerouted on 51st, Cameron, and St. Johns (replacing parts of 37 and 320); old Route along Berkman transferred to 10; service on Rogge discontinued, later restored by Pickup
  • Rerouted to Westgate Transit Center rather than Western Trails Boulevard Jun 2019
310Parker/WickershamACC RiversideSouth Congress Transit Center
  • Replaced parts of 20, 331, and 300
311StassneyACC RiversideWestgate Transit Center
  • Renamed from 111
  • Rerouted to Westgate Transit Center rather than Western Trails Boulevard Jun 2019
315Ben WhiteSouth Congress Transit CenterACC Pinnacle
  • Replaced parts of 30 and 5
  • Rerouted to Westgate Transit Center rather than Western Trails Boulevard Jun 2019
318Westgate/SlaughterThaxton at PanaderoWestgate Transit Center
  • Renumbered from 238; extended east on Slaughter to Thaxton at Panadero
  • Rerouted to Westgate Transit Center rather than Western Trails Boulevard Jun 2019
322Chicon/CherrywoodRBJ CenterHancock Shopping Center
  • Renumbered and shorted from 22
323AndersonNorthcross Mall via North Lamar Transit CenterRutherford Wal-Mart
  • Renamed from 23; extended over the eastern half of 339
  • Jun 3, 2018, split, and section east of the Wal-Mart renamed 339
324Georgian / OhlenNorthcross at FosterHighland Station
  • Replaced parts of 10, 240, and 325
325Metric / RundbergTech Ridge Park and RideRutherford Wal-Mart
  • Renamed from 25
  • Jun 3, 2018, rerouted to Tech Ridge Park and Ride replacing part of 1; name changed from 325 Ohlen; route to Northcross transferred to 324
333William CannonACC PinnacleOnion Creek at Pleasant Valley / Thaxton at Panadero
  • Renamed from 33
  • Jun 3, 2018, rerouted so it alternates between serving William Cannon/Brush Country and serving both Convict Hill/Woodcreek and ACC Pinnacle
  • Trips eastbound serve one terminus before serving the other; first terminus served depends on time of day and day of week
33535th / 38th StreetExposition at WestoverMueller
  • Replaced part of 21/22
337Koenig/Colony ParkBalcones at BurnetColony Loop at Decker
  • Renumbering of 37; rerouted west over part of 320
339TuscanyRutherford Wal-MartTannehill at Webberville
  • Replaced part of 323; small portion was part of 339
34545th StreetBurnet at North LoopHancock Shopping Center
  • Replaced part of 338
  • Proposed to be extended west to Bull Creek
350Airport BoulevardNorth Lamar Transit CenterACC Riverside
  • Created as a merge of 32, 46 and part of 8
  • Jun 3, 2018, section south of ACC Riverside transferred to 20
383ResearchNorth Lamar Transit CenterLakeline station
392BrakerKramer StationTech Ridge Park and Ride
  • Jun 3, 2018 service to the Arboretum discontinued; replaced by 383
Former Crosstown routes
+ style="background: #CF378C; color:#FFFFFF; padding-left:1em; padding-right:1em" class="nowrap" Former High-Frequency Crosstown routesRt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
320St. Johns
  • Renamed from 120
  • Replaced by 322, rerouted 300, and 337
328Ben White
  • Renamed from 28; paired with 30 until Aug 2008
  • Service west of Congress Avenue rerouted to Congress Transit Center, became extension of 30; east of Congress Avenue remained, rerouted to Congress Transit Center and renamed 228
331Oltorf
  • Renamed from 31
  • Replaced by 300 and 228
338Lamar / 45th
  • Renamed from 38 due to rerouting away from downtown
  • Section later renumbered 238
339Walnut Creek / Koenig
  • Renamed from 39
  • East of IH-35 became part of 323; west of IH-35 became part of 320
  • Number reused Jun 2018 when 323 split
391Parmer
  • Eliminated due to low ridership.

Round Rock

CapMetro operates several services in the suburb Round Rock. Round Rock is not a CapMetro member city and therefore doesn't pay the 1% sales tax to CapMetro. Instead, Round Rock contracts CapMetro to provide certain mass transit services for the city. Round Rock services are designated as 50-99 and 152. CapMetro also operates MetroExpress route 980 North MoPac Express and Flyer service 152 Round Rock Tech Ridge Limited between downtown Austin and Round Rock. Routes :

MetroBus Round Rock routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsCreatedNotesRef.
50Round Rock Howard StationHesters Crossing / KouriACC Round Rock
  • Jan 2020, limited-stop portion split off as 150
[4]
51Round Rock CirculatorLouis Henna at I-35Park Valley at Oakwood

Special service

CapMetro's special service routes are routes that do not fit in any other category. Special service routes are designated as routes 400–499.

Night Owl

Night Owl buses are overnight services.

MetroBus Night Owl services! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsCreatedNotesRef.
481Night Owl North Lamar6th at CongressN Lamar at W Rundberg
  • Named 481 Night Owl North until Aug 2012
483Night Owl Riverside6th at CongressOltorf at Burton
  • Named 483 Night Owl Southeast until Aug 2012
484Night Owl South Lamar6th at CongressVictory at Ben White
  • Aug 2012, section along South 1st eliminated; renamed to remove South 1st from name
485Night Owl Cameron6th at CongressRutherford Wal-Mart
  • Aug 2012, consolidated and replaced part of 482; old route along IH-35 and Cameron eliminated
486Night Owl South Congress6th at CongressPleasant Valley at E William Cannon
  • Aug 2012, renamed from 486 Night Owl Dove Springs; rerouted off William Cannon going east
Former Night Owl routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
482Night Owl East
  • Consolidated with 485; section along Rosewood east of Airport, Springdale, 7th and others to Downtown eliminated

Other special services

Routes :

MetroBus special services! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsCreatedNotesRef.
465MLK/University of TexasSan Jacinto at E 23rdMLK Jr. station
  • Formerly 465
466Kramer/DomainPickle Research CampusACC Northridge via Kramer station
  • Circular service, runs counterclockwise
  • Formerly 466
  • Alternates between serving Pickle Research Campus and ACC Northridge
  • Proposed to be converted to local route as part of Project Connect
490HEB ShuttleE Riverside at Pleasant ValleyRBJ Center / E Cesar Chavez at Trinity
  • Midday service only, four days a week
  • Monday and Thursday terminates at E Cesar Chavez at Trinity; Wednesday and Friday terminates at RBJ Center
  • Formerly 90
491AllandaleN Lamar at W 38thRockwood at Ashdale
  • Midday service only; runs Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
  • Curb-to-curb paratransit service operating along fixed route
  • Formerly 151; one part renamed 161
492DelwoodHancock CenterRutherford Wal-Mart
  • Midday service only; runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday
  • Curb-to-curb paratransit service operating along fixed route
  • Renamed from 161
493EastviewAirport & Oak SpringsDowntown Austin
  • Midday Monday service only
Former special service routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
90HEB Shuttle
  • Renamed 490
91ACC Shuttle
  • Demonstration route
93Lakeline Shuttle
  • Renumbered 207
94Day Labor Shuttle
  • Feb 2000 revived as 499
207Lakeline Shuttle
  • Formerly 93
210Hobby Shuttle
  • Demonstration route
401Sunset/3M Shuttle
402Sunset/3M Shuttle
420Convention Shuttle North
421Convention Shuttle South
422Convention Shuttle Town Lake
424Sunrise/3M/Travis Square Shuttle
425Sunrise/3M/Travis Square Shuttle
430Pease Elem & Kealing
431Campbell Elem & Kealing
432TX Academy & Kealing
434Barbara Jordan
435Texas Academy
440Tech Ridge Circulator
445New Life Shuttle
  • Ran only during SXSW 2019
451Downtown/Saltillo Shuttle
  • Weekday service while Downtown station closed; late night service on Fridays; eliminated after Downtown station reopened
455Leander Shuttle
  • Saturday service only
460Downtown – Congress
461Downtown – Guadalupe
462Downtown – Riverside
464Capitol MetroRail Connector
  • Rush hour service
  • Replaced by 18
470Tour the Town
470Manor Flex
  • Replaced by Pickup
499Day Labor

CapMetro Express

CapMetro's Express services are limited stop services that run between Downtown Austin and the far suburbs. Express routes are designated as routes 900–999, and are served exclusively by buses in the red "MetroExpress" livery (though on occasions they may be served by buses in the regular CapMetro livery as well).

CapMetro Express routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsInterlinesCreatedNotesRef.
935Tech Ridge ExpressE Riverside at I-35Tech Ridge Park and Ride
  • Renamed from 79
  • Rush hour service: southbound in morning peak, northbound in afternoon
  • No boarding except at Tech Ridge Park and Ride when traveling southbound
980North Mopac ExpressDean Keeton at SpeedwayCentury Park at Ida Ridge
  • Three additional trips in each direction to Baghdad at Brown in Round Rock during peak hours
  • No boarding at points past Howard station traveling southbound
982Pavilion ExpressW 4th at GuadalupePavilion Park and Ride
  • Rush hour and midday service: Rush hour service southbound in morning peak, northbound in afternoon; midday service both directions
  • No boarding at points past W 38th at N Lamar travelling in either direction
985Leander/Lakeline DirectSan Jacinto at Dean KeetonLeander Station via Lakeline Station
  • All day on weekdays; Saturday evening service until Saturday MetroRail resumed
  • No boarding at points past Lakeline Station traveling southbound
990Manor/Elgin ExpressW 2nd at GuadalupeElgin Depot
  • Renamed from 103
  • Rush hour service: westbound in morning peak, eastbound in afternoon
  • Service between Manor Park and Ride and Elgin Depot provided by CapMetro on behalf of CARTS; passengers must pay additional CARTS fare when traveling further east than Manor Park and Ride in either direction
Former CapMetro Express routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
69 IRSIRS/VA Express
  • Eliminated due to low ridership
70 NEXNortheast Express
  • Renamed 103
71 LXLeander Express
  • Split into 982, 983, and 987
79 PXPflugerville Express
  • Renamed 935
ENWEast-Northwest Express
  • Round number unknown.
103 NEXNortheast Express
  • Renamed 990
  • Number later reused
211Capitol Express (South)
  • Demonstration route
212Capitol Express (North)
  • Demonstration route
  • Replaced by 101
970Lantana Express
  • Revival of former 70
  • Rush hour reverse-peak service: southbound in morning peak, northbound in afternoon
  • Eliminated due to low ridership
981Oak Knoll ExpressJanuary 14, 2024
983North US 183 Express
  • Replaced by 981, 982, and 987
984Northwest Direct via IH35
  • Consolidated with 986 to form 985
985Leander/Downtown Express
  • Split into 984 and 986
986Leander Direct via IH35
  • Consolidated with 984 to form 985
987Leander/Northwest ExpressJanuary 14, 2024

MetroRapid

See main article: CapMetro Rapid. In January 2014, CapMetro launched a bus rapid transit service branded "MetroRapid," utilizing articulated buses operating in shared lanes with automobile traffic. Service on the first route, MetroRapid North Lamar/South Congress (801), began on January 26, 2014.[5] It replaced existing bus Routes 1L and 1M, as well as the 101 Express, which traveled along the same corridor.

A second route, MetroRapid Burnet/South Lamar (803), serves a total of 24 stations between The Domain and Westgate.[6] Both the 801 and 803 drew citizen protest until premium fares were discontinued in 2017 and the 801 had also reduced frequency of the then operating 1L/1M.

UT Shuttle

The University of Texas Shuttle system, operated by CapMetro, is one of the largest university transit systems in the United States. It comprises 10 routes and carries over 5.2 million passengers a year. UT students, faculty, and staff may ride the shuttles at no charge with a valid UT photo ID. Without a UT photo ID, normal MetroBus rates apply.[7] [8]

UT Shuttle history

CapMetro took over university shuttle operations in 1989. Formerly, service had been provided by private bus companies. Immediate changes included upgraded buses with air conditioning, but also lengthening headway on some routes.[9]

In 1983, the University of Texas received six bids to manage the shuttle system. CapMetro entered into the picture in 1988, when the university contracted out to them. CapMetro, in turn, then subcontracted out to Laidlaw International, Inc., who had, up to that point, operated orange and white school buses[10] for the university on a contractual basis. Rather than use Laidlaw's existing bus fleet, however, CapMetro used their own. In so doing, CapMetro brought air conditioning and wheelchair accessibility to the shuttle service for the first time.[11] The transition, however, was not without controversy. Among the other contested issues was the fact that these new shuttles didn't have a stereo system[12] [13]

In 1991, CapMetro canceled its contract with Laidlaw and contracted out with DAVE Transportation, instead[14] [15]

Amidst allegations of union busting, in 1999, CapMetro canceled its then current contract and instead contracted out with ATC/Vancom, instead[16] [17] Six years later, in 2005, CapMetro, citing concerns over the comparatively low wages ATC/Vancom paid, negotiated a contract with First Transit to operate the UT shuttle buses.[18]

UT Shuttle routes

The UT Shuttle system includes a number of routes during the University of Texas semester. They do not operate on Saturdays, except during finals. Since September 2014, numbered routes have been used exclusively at bus stops, though signage on buses may use either numbered or lettered signage.

Routes :[19]

UT Shuttle
RouteNameTerminalsCreatedNotesRef.
No.Let.
640FAForty AcresE 23rd at San JacintoGuadalupe at W 23rd
  • Circular service, runs clockwise
  • Formerly 54, then west half 54
641ECEast CampusE 23rd at San JacintoUFCU Disch-Falk Field
  • Circular service, runs clockwise
  • Formerly 60, east half 54, DF Disch-Falk
642WCWest CampusSan Jacinto at E 23rdSan Gabriel at W 25th
  • Circular service, runs counterclockwise
  • Formerly 50
656IFIntramural FieldsE 26th at San JacintoGuadalupe at W 51st
  • Formerly 56
661FWFar WestDean Keeton at SpeedwayVillage Center
  • Formerly 55
663LALake AustinWhitis at W 21stKermit at Jasper
670CPCrossing PlaceE 23rd at San Jacinto1300 Crossing Place
671NRNorth RiversideE 23rd at San JacintoWickersham at Elmont
  • Formerly 58
672LSLakeshoreE 23rd at San JacintoLakeshore at E Riverside
Former UT Shuttle routes! colspan=2
RouteNameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
No.Let.
48Red River/UT
  • Renamed 653
49Parker Lane/UT
  • Originally 49
  • Renamed 673
50West Campus/UT
  • Renamed 642
  • Number later reused
51Cameron Road/UT
  • Renamed 651
  • Number later reused
52Royal Crest/UT
  • Number later reused
52Pickle Research Campus/UT
  • Created between May 1994 and Aug 1996
  • Renamed 652
  • Number was reused
53Enfield Road/UT
  • Renamed 662
54Forty Acres/UT
  • Merged with 60 to form new 54 by fall 1996
54Campus Loop/UT
  • Split into 640 and 641
55Far West/UT
  • Renamed 661
56Intramural Fields/UT
  • Renamed 656
57Lake Austin/UT
  • Renamed 663
58North Riverside/UT
  • Renamed 671
59Wickersham Lane/UT
  • Originally 59 Pleasant Valley/UT; renamed when no longer served Pleasant Valley
  • Renamed 675
60East Campus/UT
  • Merged into 54
80Red River/Cameron Road/UT
  • Renamed 684
81Intramural Fields/Far West/UT
  • Renamed 681
82Burton Drive/Parker Lane/UT
  • Renamed 682
83Forty Acres/East Campus/UT
  • Eliminated when routes 54 and 60 were merged to form 54
84Burton Drive/UT
  • Renamed 674
85Wickersham Lane/North Riverside/UT
  • Renamed 680
651CRCameron Road
  • Formerly 51
652PRPickle Research Campus
  • Formerly 52
653RRRed River
  • Formerly 48
662EREnfield Road
  • Formerly 53
673PLParker Lane
  • Formerly 49
674BDBurton Drive
  • Formerly 84
675WLWickersham Lane
  • Formerly 59
676PBParker/Burton
682BD/PLBurton + Parker
  • Formerly 82
683ER/LAEnfield Road + Lake Austin
684CR/RRCameron Road + Red River
  • Formerly 80
685WL/CPWickersham Lane + Crossing Place
CLCampus Loop
  • Formerly 83 FA/EC Forty Acres/East Campus then 54
  • Split into 2 routes
680NR/LSNorth Riverside/Lakeshore
  • Overnight
  • Formerly 680 NR/WL, formerly 85
681IF/FWIntramural Fields/Far West
  • Sunday afternoon and evening
  • Formerly 81

Former services

Dillo

CapMetro's Dillo service was a circulator service in downtown Austin. In May 2000, the Dillo service went through a major restructuring. It was shut down in 2009 after over 30 years of operation due to low ridership.[20] The service used forest-green trolley buses with an armadillo painted on the side. It was free until shortly before to its closure when CapMetro began charging a 50¢ fare.[21]

Former Dillo routes! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameCreatedEliminatedNotesRef.
85Convention Center/UT 'Dillo (Red Line)
86Congress/Capitol 'Dillo (Blue Line)
87ACC/Lavaca 'Dillo (Green Line)
88Old Pecan Street 'Dillo
  • Renamed 451 Silver 'Dillo
89'Dillo Dash
450Orange 'Dillo
451Silver 'Dillo
  • Renamed from 88 Old Pecan Street Dillo
  • Number later reused
455Red 'Dillo
  • Number later reused
456Gold 'Dillo
461Yellow 'Dillo
  • Number later reused
462Blue 'Dillo
  • Number later reused
463Starlight 'Dillo
464Moonlight 'Dillo
  • Number later reused

MetroAirport

The MetroAirport service (sometimes called MetroAirport Flyer) was created when Austin–Bergstrom International Airport opened in May 1999. It was primarily served by buses carrying the "MetroAirport" livery, though may on occasion have been served by buses in the regular livery. The service was eliminated on June 3, 2018, and replaced by the extension of 20.

E-Bus

CapMetro had, since September 19, 2002,[22] [23] operated "E-Bus" routes, to ferry students between student residential areas to the 6th Street area. These buses ran only evenings and late nights on weekends and did not run in summer.[24] The E in "E-Bus" stands for "eating and entertainment" and funding was initially provided by companies advertising on the bus.[25] On April 1, 2010, the Daily Texan reported that, in an attempt to curb passenger unruliness, CapMetro had required students swipe their student IDs before boarding and that UT would start paying for some of the services.[26] These routes were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and were permanently discontinued on January 14, 2024.[27]

MetroBus E-Bus services! scope="col" style="width: 1.5em;"
Rt.NameTerminalsCreatedNotesRef.
410E-Bus/West CampusNueces at W 27thColorado at W 6th
411E-Bus/RiversideCrossing PlaceColorado at W 6th
412E-Bus/Main CampusGuadalupe at W 21stColorado at W 6th

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MetroBus . Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority . September 6, 2021 . en.
  2. Web site: Recommended System Plan.
  3. Web site: Archived copy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190509030829/https://www.capmetro.org/uploadedFiles/New2016/ProjectConnect/Project_Connect_Vision_2018/PCON-Vision-Plan-190215.pdf . 2019-05-09 . 2019-05-09.
  4. Web site: June 2019 Service Changes . CapMetro . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190509030940/https://www.capmetro.org/june2019/#! . 2019-05-09.
  5. Web site: Aaron . Michael . 26 January 2014 . Capital Metro rolls out MetroRapid, new fares . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140324113235/http://kxan.com/2014/01/26/capital-metro-rolls-out-metrorapid-new-fares/ . 24 March 2014 . 24 March 2014 . kxan.com . KXAN News.
  6. Web site: Routes and Destinations . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140324112200/https://www.capmetro.org/metrorapid.promo.aspx?id=2775 . 2014-03-24 . 24 March 2014 . Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  7. Web site: Shuttles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906060827/https://parking.utexas.edu/transportation/shuttles . September 6, 2021 . October 7, 2018 . UT Parking and Transportation Services.
  8. Web site: Wear . Ben . July 18, 2010 . UT's Shuttle Subsidy Under Scrutiny . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100726065822/http://www.statesman.com/news/local/uts-shuttle-subsidy-under-scrutiny-810125.html . July 26, 2010 . January 2, 2011 . Austin American=Statesman.
  9. News: May 21, 2004 . A Battle on the Shuttle . The Austin Chronicle . live . 2008-08-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110605060110/http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/print?oid=212026 . 2011-06-05.
  10. Web site: May 1990 . Capital Metro: Is It Worth the Wait? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120514050443/http://www.e-yearbook.com/yearbooks/University_Texas_Cactus_Yearbook/1990/Page_28.html . 2012-05-14 . 2008-08-25 . Cactus Yearbook . 28–29.
  11. News: August 10, 1989 . City buses take over UT shuttle system . The Daily Texan.
  12. News: August 29, 1989 . Capital Metro debut earns mixed reviews . The Daily Texan.
  13. News: August 29, 1989 . Shuttle drivers argue need for some "friendly sounds' on . The Daily Texan.
  14. News: June 3, 1991 . DAVE wins bid to run run shuttle system . The Daily Texan.
  15. Web site: Freeze . Joshua . March 1999 . Transit Union Takes Bus Company to the End of the Line . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081205152326/http://www.utwatch.org/archives/workingstiff/vol2no2_bus.html . 2008-12-05 . 2008-08-25 . UT Watch.
  16. News: February 17, 2004 . Shuttle disputes go round and round . The Daily Texan . 2008-08-25.
  17. News: January 26, 1999 . Cap Metro hires new maintenance contractor . The Daily Texan.
  18. News: March 4, 2005 . Cap Metro Switches UT Shuttle Providers . The Austin Chronicle . live . 2008-08-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070410031728/http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A261162 . 2007-04-10.
  19. Web site: UT Shuttles . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906060840/https://www.capmetro.org/ut-shuttles . 6 September 2021 . 6 September 2021 . Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority . en.
  20. News: Wear . Ben . Dillos roll into the sunset after years of being ignored . September 7, 2021 . Austin American-Statesman . July 24, 2017 . en.
  21. News: Phillips . Alberta . A few things we learned from the campaign for Austin City Council . 7 September 2021 . Austin American-Statesman . October 28, 2014 . en.
  22. News: March 25, 2010 . Cap Metro warns rowdy E-Bus riders . The Daily Texan . dead . 2010-04-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100328161212/http://www.dailytexanonline.com/content/cap-metro-warns-rowdy-e-bus-riders . March 28, 2010.
  23. News: September 19, 2002 . Sixth Street shuttle bus to start running tonight . The Daily Texan.
  24. Web site: Special Services: Getting Around Downtown Bus Routes 400-499 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110725135355/http://www.capmetro.org/riding/routes_400.asp . 2011-07-25 . 2011-06-23 . Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Austin, Texas.
  25. News: August 28, 2002 . Shuttle to take partiers downtown . The Daily Texan.
  26. News: April 1, 2010 . E-Bus moves toward stricter policies, monitoring . The Daily Texan . dead . 2010-04-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100403131810/http://www.dailytexanonline.com/content/e-bus-moves-toward-stricter-policies-monitoring . April 3, 2010.
  27. Web site: January 2024 Approved Service Changes. 2024-01-30. CapMetro. en.