Moving Along

Central Texas is a vibrant growing community that is attracting thousands of new residents every year. In any given week more than 500 new cars are added to the roadways of Central Texas. As a result, developing a comprehensive regional transportation network to keep people moving and protect the region’s quality of life has been a top priority of local leaders.

“For our region to handle the massive influx of people expected to come here in the next 25 years, we have to give people travel options that extend beyond the automobile,” says Lowell Lebermann, vice chairman of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority.

As part of the region’s comprehensive transportation system, community leaders have been supporting an effort to establish inter-city rail service between Austin and San Antonio. The community also has formed a transit working group to identify best practices in public transportation and to develop a long range vision for expanding the region’s public transit system with a combination of rapid bus service, commuter rail, light rail and a downtown circulator system.

The biggest challenge has been finding that vision says Lebermann, “With federal and state funding unable to keep up with demand for more transportation infrastructure, we have had to look at alternative funding sources such as tolling.”

Transportation: Expanding with Austin

Located in the heart of Texas, Austin provides quick mobility within the Capital City and convenient links throughout the Lone Star State. Interstate Highway 35 intersects the city, running from the Mexican border through the U.S. Midwest, while Highways 290 and 183, along with MoPac (Loop 1) and Loop 360, connect the dots in and around the city. The new, larger Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened in May 1999, making the city available to a host of national and international travelers.

Rail passenger service and bus service are also available, with Amtrak’s train station and the Greyhound Bus Station just off I-35 at FM 2222 connecting passengers to national destinations.

Mass Transit

Capital Metro offers more than 46 fixed bus routes. In addition, trolley service on the ‘Dillo covers downtown, the UT campus, the state office complex and restaurants and clubs along Sixth Street. Mobility-impaired service and bicycle racks on buses are also available. Flyer Routes provide fast commuter service.

Capital Metro, in cooperation with the University of Texas, provides free shuttle service to feepaying students. Available between the campus and many parts of the city, the UT shuttle buses are a convenient way to travel into UT, where parking is often limited.

Capital Metro also offers Express Park and Ride with limited-stop access from eight Park and Ride lots, which allows Austinites to relax during their morning and evening commutes Monday through Friday.