After nine months in development with the city of Hutto, Capital Metro’s first transit development plan has been adopted by Hutto City Council.
The plan includes multi-phased recommendations, with Express bus service between a planned Hutto Park & Ride facility into downtown Austin and the Tech Ridge Park & Ride; and a route that expands service on the CARTS Silver Route operating between Taylor and Round Rock (2018). The Park & Ride is projected to open fall 2017.
Following the city council’s approval, Capital Metro is working with Hutto to define an inter-local agreement and identify a Park & Ride location.
Capital Metro and the city of Hutto have been developing the transit plan since May 2015, which was approved by the city council on Feb. 18. Capital Metro is dedicating approximately $76,000, with a Hutto local match of $119,000 during the first phase of the project.
“The unprecedented growth we’re seeing in Central Texas requires innovative transportation solutions, so this is a huge milestone for the future of regional transit,” said Capital Metro president and CEO Linda Watson. “Transit Development Plans are critical for expanding outside our service area, and I applaud Mayor Holland and the Hutto City Council for taking this step to ensure mobility options between Hutto and Austin.”
Major elements of the Transit Development Plan (TDP) include creation of a project steering committee, public involvement and outreach and development a three-year implementation program.
Capital Metro is also working on additional TDPs in surrounding areas in the region, including Georgetown, Pflugerville and Buda.
Capital Metro operates within a 535-square-mile service area, with transit service partially funded by a one cent sales tax. In 2014, the agency approved a revised Service Expansion Policy and began working with neighboring jurisdictions within the Central Texas Urbanized Area that do not participate in Capital Metro’s service area to form transit development plans utilizing Section 5307 funding.
The region’s population is forecasted to increase 123 percent, with employment increasing 135 percent by 2035.
According to the Center for Housing and Policy, for every dollar saved in housing costs by moving out of Austin, it costs 77 cents in transportation costs to drive back into the city.
