Public transit

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority provides bus service on flexible, convenient schedules at more than 2,300 bus stops and 17 park-and-ride facilities throughout Central Texas. In addition to bus service, the agency operates vanpool and carpool coordination, shuttles to special events, and special transit for the disabled through MetroAccess. Capital Metro also operates a commuter rail line, MetroRail, which runs 32 miles between Leander to the northwest and downtown Austin, with nine stations along the way. Other regional providers, like CARTS, help people make connections from most jurisdictions not part of the Capital Metro service area.

Capital Metro was one of the first transit agencies in the nation to offer a system-wide mobile ticketing solution. Capital Metro’s service improvements for 2014 included the introduction of MetroRapid service on two of Central Texas’ busiest travel corridors. Features include real time arrival information at 77 stations along the two routes, signal priority technology, and transit priority lanes through downtown. Capital Metro’s entire fleet of buses and railcars accommodate bicycles. In 2015, GPS-enabled real-time data tracking every bus on every route went live in both the CapMetro App and an Open Data Portal. In 2016, Austin voters approved a $720 million bond package for transportation and mobility improvements throughout the city. Portions of the package will address roadway expansion, signal modification, median changes and improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities to be implemented over the next 8 years. In 2020, Austin voters approved funding of a $7.1 billion initial investment in Capital Metro's Project Connect public transit plan. Among other improvements, the initial investment for Project Connect will construct three new light rail lines, including one connecting to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Capital Metro’s entire fleet of buses and railcars accommodate bicycles. Capital Metro and the City of Austin have partnered to develop trails to better connect cyclists to the transit system. In addition, the City of Austin and local non-profit Austin B-cycle brought bike sharing to the Austin public in December 2013.

Dockless micromobility came to Austin in 2017. Shared micromobility providers currently serving Austin include Bird, Lime, LINK, and Wheels.

Dynamic Transportation Plans: