When the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) in Austin, TX, received its third consecutive Gold Leadership Circle designation from the Texas Comptroller’s Office for financial transparency online, the agency found a uniquely appropriate way to let the public know.

Capital Metro has wrapped six buses in its fleet with a “seriously transparent” design suggesting an X-ray of the vehicle’s interior, showing skeletons driving and riding on the bus. These buses will operate throughout the agency’s service area during the next three months, spreading the message that the public can track every dollar the agency spends by visiting this link.

The program recognizes local governments that strive to meet a high standard of financial transparency by opening their books to the public and providing information in a clear, consistent, and user-friendly format. Capital Metro was the first Texas transit agency to earn the Gold transparency rating.

“We’ve made transparency and financial stability a cornerstone of the way we do business,” said Linda S. Watson, Capital Metro president/chief executive officer, “ so we will have the resources necessary to invest in our future, a future that will give all Central Texans more transportation choices.”

The agency is currently implementing a five-year capital improvement plan designed to help build a strong infrastructure throughout the entire five-county region. These improvements include MetroRapid, a new high-capacity transit mode coming to Austin’s busiest streets in 2014; the addition of more efficient and comfortable buses to the fleet; and implementation of Positive Train Control on its commuter rail line.

Photo by Brio Photography Posing in front of one of Capital Metro’s transparency buses are, from left, Sandy Guzman, legislative director for Texas Sen. Kirk Watson; Capital Metro President/CEO Linda Watson; and Austin City Council Member and Capital Metro Board Chairman Mike Martinez.