Capital Metro’s board of directors on March 23 adopted several service changes, that will go into effect beginning June 7. Capital Metro will implement changes designed to provide more frequent bus service and also expand service, while maintaining system efficiency.
Capital Metro will increase weekday frequency on five high-demand Local bus routes. On weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Routes 7, 300, 325 and 331 will run every 15 minutes; Route 20 will run every 20 minutes. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., routes will operate every 20 minutes. Currently, these routes operate every 20-30 minutes or greater during midday hours. (Frequency will also be increased on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
The change will create more reliable bus service and help reduce wait times at stops. Capital Metro is also looking at increasing frequency on additional routes in the future.
In partnership with the Travis County Commissioner’s Court, Capital Metro will begin service on a new route, 237 Northeast Feeder, along Loyola in northeast Austin and Travis County. Service will be available seven days a week. The new route will provide service between the Springdale Shopping Center and the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Community First! Village. The Northeast Feeder route will also connect with Barbara Jordan Elementary; Overton Elementary; and the Wentworth, Colony Park and Woodland Hills neighborhoods. A major transfer point will be available at the Springdale H-E-B, connecting to Routes 20 Manor/Riverside, 37 Colony Park/Windsor Park and 323 Anderson. The proposed service changes will result in a minor expansion of the MetroAccess ADA service area.
Route 37 Colony Park/Windsor Park will be realigned to Berkman Drive and Barbara Jordan Boulevard in order to provide additional transit access to the Mueller H-E-B. The bus will stop between Barbara Jordan Boulevard and 51st Street, allowing transfers with Route 320 St. Johns. Route 37 will also continue to make trips to FirstWorkers, the city of Austin Day Labor Center. As a result, schedule adjustments will be made to the route.
Routing changes will not be made to Route 243 Wells Branch, it will continue to provide midday service on Merrilltown Drive.
Route 271 Del Valle Feeder will be realigned to better serve Del Valle, due to area resident requests. The route will be moved from Highway 71 and Ross Road, to Highway 130 and Pearce Lane. Capital Metro will maintain service to the three existing stops serving the Del Valle Independent School District. As a result of the change, schedule adjustments will be made to the route.
The agency performs a continuous analysis of its service, and makes adjustments three times a year, utilizing feedback obtained from the public prior to each change.
All changes are in accordance with Capital Metro’s Service Guidelines and Standards.
