TRANSPORTATION UPDATES CapMetro ridership, revenue increase expected for 2023-24
COMPILED BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
ONGOING PROJECTS
Set for approval in September, Capital Metro’s almost $430 million operating budget for fiscal year 2023- 24 plans for an increase in ridership, services and benefits for employees. The specifics: Provided in a July 24 presentation to the board of direc- tors, the proposed $425.4 million FY 2023-24 operating expense budget is up $37.9 million from last year. Notable increases in year-over- year spending come from salaries and benefits, along with purchased transportation, which is estimated to include 27% more rail hours and 28% more pickup hours. However, some expenses, such as materials and supplies and fuel and fluids, will each see a $1 million decrease. CapMetro’s ridership is also budgeted to increase, which adds to the agency’s operating revenue. Fare revenue is based on the continuing return of ridership in FY 2023-24, which budgets 25.1 million riders. The budget’s five-year capital
OPERATING EXPENSES The proposed $425.4 million FY 2024 budget is up $37.9 million from last year. Salaries & benefits Professional services Purchased transportation Lease/rentals Materials & supplies Other expenses Utilities Fuels & fluids
MOPAC
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Red Line Trail extension Throughout August, residents provid- ed feedback on the 1.7 mile-long Brak- er Lane/Northern Walnut Creek trail segment of the Red Line Trail project, a nearly 30-mile long trail and transit project that will link downtown Austin to Leander once completed. Timeline: Construction beginning in 2025 Cost: TBD Funding sources: 2016 and 2020 Austin Mobility Bonds
$50M $100M $250M $150M $200M
$0M
FY 2023 budget
FY 2024 budget
SOURCE: CAPITAL METRO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
improvement plan spans through FY 2027-28 and totals $1.1 billion. Some of the highlights in the plan include: • Electric bus purchases and infra- structure construction • Bus stop improvements • MetroBike station expansion and replacements
• Project Connect: McKalla Station, new MetroRapid lines and a master facility plan expansion Looking ahead: After a public hearing on Sept. 13, the board of directors will consider the budget proposal for approval at the Sept. 25 meeting.
SAMSUNG BLVD.
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East Parmer Lane widening A long-term lane closure is in effect on Parmer Lane between Samsung Boulevard and Harris Branch Park- way through early 2024 to widen the roadway. The closure began July 12 and has reduced this 1-mile section of Parmer Lane to one lane for both eastbound and westbound traffic. Timeline: July-early 2024 Cost: $5.5 million Funding source: TxDOT
CapMetro to improve bus stops, rail stations and more
PARTS OF THE PROJECT Projects outlined in the agreement include: • Bus stop improvements : relocate certain stops, add benches or shelters to existing stops • New MetroBike stations • CapMetro rail station improvements: new stations, improved connections SOURCE: CAPMETRO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Improvements to bus stops, rail stations and more are on the way following the passage of an agreement between Capital Metro and the city of Austin on July 24. The agreement will enable CapMetro to use developer fees paid to the city for traffic mitigation improvements.
What to expect: The agreement will permit the construction and improve- ment of multiple stops, rail stations and MetroBike stations to mitigate traffic impacts caused by identified development projects. Improvements for bus stops could include relocation to protected crossings or the addition of
benches or shelters. The projects within the agreement are specific to the site plan and transpor- tation impact analysis that was done, and most are expected to be completed by the end of the year, said Nadia Barrera-Ramirez, manager of CapMetro’s cross-agency transit and mobility programs.
ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 14. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT NNWNEWS@COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.
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NORTH - NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023
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