TRANSPORTATION UPDATES Pflugerville officials discuss continuation of Capital Metro’s ride-hailing Pickup program
PROGRAM SPECIFICS As proposed, the full launch of the Pickup program would share many characteristics with the 18-month pilot program that ends Sept. 30.
CAPITAL METRO PROPOSAL
PILOT PROPOSAL
BY CARSON GANONG
use the same service area and hours as the pilot program, but add one or two additional vehicles for a total of three or four. According to the presentation, the three-vehicle option would cost the city $450,885.08 annually, while the four-vehicle option would cost the city $654,445.98 annually. Julie Mazur, manager of regional coordination planning at Capital Metro, said the additional vehicles would help to reduce wait times. However, some council members said they would also like to see the program’s service area expanded to include Baylor Scott & White and Stone Hill Town Center off SH 130. “I think it just makes sense given what we know about our citizens and where they go,” Council Member Rudy Metayer said. Council took no action at the July 12 meeting since the item was only a presentation but asked that Capital Metro put together proposals before the pilot ends with cost estimates for variations of the program with the expanded boundaries. Capital Metro’s Pickup pilot program in Pfluger- ville ends Sept. 30.
With the 18-month pilot program for Capital Metro’s Pickup ride-hailing program nearing its end in September, Pflugerville officials are considering how to move forward with public transportation in the city. At a July 12 work session, Pflugerville City Council received a presentation from Capital Metro recapping statistics from the pilot program and outlining proposals for continuing the program. The program covers a 3.5-square-mile area mostly around Pecan Street with destinations such as the Pflugerville Public Library. Passengers can request rides within the service area from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. Rides cost $1.25 each way. According to the presentation, Pickup’s rider- ship has steadily increased over the course of the pilot program, peaking at 851 riders in May. The most common destination for Pickup riders was the Tech Ridge Park & Ride in Northeast Austin, with Walmart, H-E-B and Amazon also accounting for significant shares of ridership. Capital Metro proposed two options for continuing the Pickup program; both proposals
3.5-square-mile service area
3.5-square-mile service area
$1.25 fare each way
$1.25 fare each way
Available 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. on weekdays
Available 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. on weekdays
2 vehicles
3-4 vehicles
$310,325 annual cost to city
$450,885-$654,446 annual cost to city
SOURCES: CAPITAL METRO, CITY OF PFLUGERVILLE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
10
COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook