Capital MetroRapid will turn heads. Imagine a traffic light that stays green a little longer just for you or one that changes from red to green a few seconds early as you approach. As your Capital MetroRapid bus approaches the uniquely branded bus stop, you can’t help but think to yourself, “that’s no ordinary bus.”

Learn more about the MetroRapid routes and service by watching a 1-hour webinar and Q&A with Capital Metro staff (July 2011). Play the recording.

MetroRapid Routes

• North Lamar/South Congress
• Burnet/South Lamar

MetroRapid Bus Stops

• Approximately 77 bus stops on both routes (8 shared stops downtown)
• Amenities include shelters, lighting, signage and real-time bus arrival information
• In proximity to local routes and two MetroRail stations for easy connections

MetroRapid Vehicles

• Low-floor, level boarding
• Initial plans include the purchase of 22, 60-foot articulated buses and 18, 40-foot buses
• 60-foot buses can carry up to 102 people per bus; 40-foot buses can carry up to 78 riders. All buses will accommodate two wheelchairs and at least two bikes per bus. Capital Metro is exploring options for the 60-foot buses that would allow bikes to be brought inside the vehicles, or bike racks that would hold up to three bikes per bus.
• Signal priority technology onboard the buses will “talk” to traffic lights to either extend green lights for a few seconds to allow the bus to make it through the light, or to make red lights turn green a few seconds earlier.

Customer Benefits

• 10-minute frequency during peak periods and 15-minute frequency off-peak
• Faster service: limited stops, boarding from all doors and signal priority technology
• New 40 ft and 60 ft buses with low floor level boarding
• Weekday service covering at least 14 hours a day
• Because of increased frequency, MetroRapid will double the capacity for wheelchairs and bikes over current bus service.

Project Funding

• $38,097,000 federal grant funding
• $9,524,000 local share (Capital Metro)
• $47,621,000 total project cost

• Recent project update presented to the Capital Metro board of directors in May 2011
• Nova Bus chosen to manufacture 22 sixty-foot buses and 18 forty-foot buses for MetroRapid service
• MetroRapid project update (July 2011): community webinar – Playback the recording
• MetroRapid to receive $24.2 million in federal funds – press release

• Execute a project construction grant agreement with the Federal Transit Administration
• Complete North Lamar/South Congress route design and begin construction

If you'd like to comment on the MetroRapid proposal, you may call (512) 385-0190 or email us at allsystemsgo@capmetro.org.