The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, or FTA, has recently awarded CapMetro with $20 million as part of its Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program. The funding will go toward establishing a permanent North Demand Response Operations and Maintenance facility.
“As CapMetro continues to grow as an agency and as a regional partner, this grant funding will help ensure that we can continue to holistically serve our customers and community,” said interim CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins. “I am grateful our federal partners at the FTA recognize the need for this new facility. It is also significant for our region and community that FTA continues to demonstrate confidence in CapMetro to responsibly accept federal funding to manage and execute projects such as this one. We appreciate our State and Local leadership and supporters who continue to be good partners through these opportunities.”
In addition to establishing a permanent North Demand Response and Operations Maintenance facility, this grant will also allow CapMetro to expand other programs to help accommodate system and regional growth and promote community connectivity. The project will help CapMetro fulfill the current and future demand for MetroAccess paratransit and Pickup growth, and is integral to ensuring the agency can continue providing these services sustainably and efficiently.
CapMetro’s grant application had bipartisan support from federal lawmakers, U.S. Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Representative Michael McCaul, and was sponsored by Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea, Austin Council Member Harper-Madison and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO.
“Access to safe and efficient infrastructure is critical for Texas,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I applaud this announcement and look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have in Austin.
CapMetro’s new Demand Response and Maintenance Facility will be located on Springdale and Cameron Road, replacing a leased facility that is over capacity. In February 2022, CapMetro’s Board of Directors approved the purchase of 25 acres of land for this new facility, which will be more cost-effective, efficient, and support safe operation. This grant will help continue that development.
For more information, please visit www.capmetro.org.
Source: CapMetro
