Smith; Carter Announce $19.14 Million in Transportation Funding for Austin <br>
Jul 14, 2009
Press Release
Congressmen Lamar Smith (TX-21) and John Carter (TX-31) today announced that $19,140,000 in funding for Austin was included in the FY2010 Transportation, HUD Appropriations bill and passed by the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee. The money will be used to purchase para-transit vehicles for Capital Metro, as well as new technology to improve bus service and traffic congestion.
Austin is a world-class city and this federal funding will help to make its transportation system world-class, said Congressman Smith. Whether you rely on Capital Metro or drive a car, this funding will benefit the whole community.
These funds are very important in helping Central Texas stay ahead of the population growth we continue to experience, said Congressman Carter. We can't afford to let our public transportation system fall behind. I am especially pleased we were able to include funds that allow the disabled to more easily use the system.
$17,390,000 is for Capital MetroRapid enhanced bus service, which will include two initial routes: North Lamar/South Congress and Burnet/South Lamar. Capital MetroRapid will offer better passenger amenities including real-time bus arrival information at all MetroRapid stops, 10-minute frequency during peak and 15 minutes during off-peak service with reduced travel times up to 20 percent.
$500,000 was included at the request of Congressman Smith for the City of Austins intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The funding will help the City provide Austin residents and visitors with mobility information related to traffic congestion, transit alternatives, access routes into downtown, and access routes to major events.
$1,250,000 was received under the request of Congressman Carter for the Captial Metropolitan Transportation Authority Accessible Fleet Replacement for the purchase of para-transit vehicles. The funding will help Captial Metro replace vans and sedans that serve persons with disabilities.
Austin is a world-class city and this federal funding will help to make its transportation system world-class, said Congressman Smith. Whether you rely on Capital Metro or drive a car, this funding will benefit the whole community.
These funds are very important in helping Central Texas stay ahead of the population growth we continue to experience, said Congressman Carter. We can't afford to let our public transportation system fall behind. I am especially pleased we were able to include funds that allow the disabled to more easily use the system.
$17,390,000 is for Capital MetroRapid enhanced bus service, which will include two initial routes: North Lamar/South Congress and Burnet/South Lamar. Capital MetroRapid will offer better passenger amenities including real-time bus arrival information at all MetroRapid stops, 10-minute frequency during peak and 15 minutes during off-peak service with reduced travel times up to 20 percent.
$500,000 was included at the request of Congressman Smith for the City of Austins intelligent transportation systems (ITS). The funding will help the City provide Austin residents and visitors with mobility information related to traffic congestion, transit alternatives, access routes into downtown, and access routes to major events.
$1,250,000 was received under the request of Congressman Carter for the Captial Metropolitan Transportation Authority Accessible Fleet Replacement for the purchase of para-transit vehicles. The funding will help Captial Metro replace vans and sedans that serve persons with disabilities.
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