The Federal Transit Agency (FTA) recently announced that the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority will receive an $11.2 million FTA grant to be used for the purchase of new buses. Funded through the federal Regional Mobility Bus Program, the grant will support regional transit projects and further the partnership between Capital Metro and the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS). CARTS is a transportation provider in rural communities that connects residents of those cities to Capital Metro service.
The funding is targeted at Capital Metro’s regional service, which connects suburban and rural cities with the Capital Metro Service Area, particularly for routes served by the partnership between Capital Metro and CARTS. The purpose of the FTA’s Regional Mobility Bus Program is to expand transportation access to employment, educational and health care facilities in both rural and urban areas. Capital Metro’s use of the grant will do just that, supporting regional planning efforts and closing gaps in the urbanized area.
The FTA grant will allow Capital Metro to move forward with its Service Expansion Program, which provides a process for cities outside the Service Area to participate in Capital Metro’s transit services. The agency is currently working to develop transit plans with cities such as Hutto, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock and Buda.
The grant provides funds for approximately 30 buses for Capital Metro and another 30 for CARTS. Capital Metro will use the grant to purchase smaller passenger buses, 35-foot buses and commuter buses. CARTS will purchase 32-foot and 34-foot buses.
Capital Metro received support from Congressmen Roger Williams, John Carter, Bill Flores, Michael McCaul and Lamar Smith through this process. State Representative Celia Israel also contributed to Capital Metro’s efforts to obtain the federal funding.
“This is great news for the city of Austin, as this will help us meet our regional needs while connecting more Texans to more job opportunities,” said Congressman Williams.
