The $10 billion multiyear project will eventually reach throughout Austin with its improvements for mass transit.
“Project Connect will expand and improve our public transportation network for the entire Central Texas region, including new light rail, a subway under downtown and an accessible bus system to better connect neighborhoods in and outside our great city,” according to the CapMetro website. “Project Connect is designed to improve access to essential jobs, health care and education — making our communities more livable, equitable and sustainable.”
CapMetro and Austin have formed the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), an independent organization that will guide the Project Connect investment. New light rail lines, four new MetroRapid lines, a subway and more are planned. Construction is so far projected to last more than 10 years.
Tanya Acevedo, senior vice president and CIO of CapMetro, spoke briefly about the mass transit plans at Industry Insider — Texas’ Member Briefing on Sept. 23 in Austin.
“We have to have this huge network to support the expansion of Project Connect. So that will definitely be a large priority,” she said. “We’re working alongside the city (on) the design factor of it, and then it passes over to CapMetro to run. But when you’re dealing with the technology side of it, it’s an expansion of our current systems.”
Technological improvements will play a large part in the overall project, even affecting how customers use the system.
“Fare capping” will make sure commuters all pay the same. It will make transit more affordable and give customers the chance to use their phones or physical smart cards to access a new account-based fare system, according to the website.
A mobile app will allow commuters to plan trips and pay in advance. It will feature account-based, mobile app technology that lets customers view and track usage and gives them the potential for loyalty rewards from partners.
And a smart card will allow users to “tap and go.” A reloadable and reusable smart card or smartphone will pay for and cover all types of transportation including parking, electric scooter and bike rentals, the website states.
“We have to make sure that that strategic plan, all of the top-to-bottom systems that run the whole transit has to be modernized and has to look out for five to 10 years because Project Connect is going to be at least $10 billion, and within seven years we’re going to even burrow supposedly underneath Lady Bird Lake,” Acevedo said. “Can you imagine that?”
CapMetro At a Glance
- Service area: 542 square miles
- Population served: 1.34 million
- Single ride fare: Local $1.25 (Local, University of Texas at Austin UT Shuttles and MetroRapid), Commuter $3.50 (MetroRail and MetroExpress)
- Weekday boardings (for FY2021): 51,592
- Annual boardings (for FY2021): 16.9 million
