Peter M. Rogoff, administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), announced on April 10 a $38 million federal Very Small Starts grant to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) in Austin, TX, to implement the MetroRapid Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.

“With the signed funding agreement, Capital Metro is able to proceed full steam ahead to build this incredible new rapid transit service that will directly benefit almost 25 percent of the entire service area,” said Capital Metro President and Chief Executive Officer Linda S. Watson. “MetroRapid will connect neighborhoods, workers, and students to universities, state offices, high-tech companies, and regional retail and medical centers.”

MetroRapid service will include two high-capacity rapid bus lines along North Lamar/South Congress and Burnet/South Lamar—the densest and highest-ridership public transit markets in the region.

It will operate on 37.5 miles of streets that run parallel to the region’s main highways, with 40 new bus stations and 40 new clean diesel buses. Capital Metro anticipates more than 20,000 daily boardings when the service begins in 2014.

The federal funding will cover 80 percent of the $47.6 million project.

Rogoff also announced an additional $3 million grant from FTA’s State of Good Repair Program that Capital Metro will use toward the replacement of seven buses in its regular fleet.

FTA Administrator Peter M. Rogoff, second from left, announces a $38 million grant for Capital Metro’s MetroRapid BRT program. Joining Rogoff are, from left, Austin City Councilman and Capital Metro Chairman Mike Martinez; Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell; and Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson.

 

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