Pickup by CapMetro, Capital Metro’s on-demand public transit service, is expanding in the neighborhoods surrounding South Menchaca, fulfilling an important component of the Project Connect system.
Expanding neighborhood circulators is a key element of the Project Connect program of projects that voters passed in November 2020 and launching the service in South Menchaca is another important step in implementing the program.
“Capital Metro has always been focused on bringing more equitable transit options to neighborhoods in our service area,” said Chad Ballentine, vice president of demand response and innovative mobility, Capital Metro. “As part of Project Connect, our team will continue to work on bringing Pickup to more neighborhoods in the Central Texas community.”
Customers can download the Pickup by CapMetro app from their phone's app store (iOS and Android), register for an account and book a trip. Those in the service zones without access to the smartphone app may call. A one-way ride costs $1.25, the same charge as a Single Ride pass used to take MetroBus and MetroRapid services. A Capital Metro Day Pass, 7-Day Pass or 31-Day Pass will cover a Pickup ride as well.
Kids 18 years and younger ride free. Children 10 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
“Pickup by CapMetro is an easy, reliable and affordable option for people to get a ride to grocery stores, medical offices and other important places nearby in South Austin,” said Capital Metro Board Member and Austin City Council Member Ann Kitchen. “We are so excited to bring the Pickup service to South Austin – the Slaughter and South Menchaca area. This new program is part of the Project Connect citywide transportation system for Austin.”
Service in the South Menchaca service zone is available weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The wheelchair accessible service will pick customers up from their location within 15 minutes or less. Pickup service can help customers in South Menchaca get to important locations, such as shopping centers, medical services, schools and parks.
Capital Metro piloted the Pickup service in 2017 and 2018 in Northeast Austin, including the Mueller and Windsor Park neighborhoods. In June 2019, the agency launched service in Manor, after which additional zones in Austin and Leander were added.
The Pickup service app was developed in partnership with Via. The company licenses its technology to transportation providers globally, including neighboring cities of Arlington and Fort Worth.
