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Capital Metro in Austin suspending fares amid extreme weather

CapMetro will resume normal services on Monday, Feb. 22 after a week of severe winter weather.

AUSTIN, Texas — Capital Metro will resume its normal schedule on Monday, Feb. 22 after a week's worth of severe winter weather. CapMetro had limited service after suspending all routes for several days to shift resources toward helping emergency response in the City of Austin. 

CapMetro said fares would remain suspended through Sunday, Feb. 28 and added that all COVID-19 safety regulations are still in place, meaning customers must wear a mask while using its services.

CapMetro operated on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with limited service routes. The UT Shuttle Service will resume normal schedules on Sunday, Feb. 21. The following services will not return until Monday, Feb. 22:

  • MetroRail service
  • Special service routes service (Routes 465, 466, 490, 491, 492, 493)
  • MetroExpress service (Routes 935, 982, 985, and 990)
  • Flyer route service (Routes 103, 105, 111, 135, 142 and 171)
  • Round Rock service (Routes 50, 51, 150 and 152)
  • Lago Vista Feeder (Route 214)
  • Pickup service
  • CapMetro's Transit Store will also be closed until Monday

CapMetro has been working with Meals on Wheels to help deliver meals and with Dell Seton to move doctors, nurses and patients to hospitals, and has been able to provide 87 trips for patients on dialysis since Wednesday. 

It has also been moving people to warming centers throughout the city. 

For currently open routes, click here. For the latest information on transit services, call 512-474-1200. 

"CapMetro is working very hard to safely support our community during this emergency in these unprecedented times," said CapMetro president and CEO Randy Clarke. "We understand how much our service means to this community, and we thank you for your patience and understanding during this period."

With extreme weather impacting Central Texas, CapMetro had previously announced it was suspending fares and added preparations to keep its customers and employees safe while service remains ongoing.

"We are doing everything we possibly can behind the curb, in the shops, in the garages, in the yards to prep for service," Clarke said. "As soon as roadway conditions allow us, we are going to start getting service back, and that could be a rolling start."

All CapMetro vehicles were being pre-started for heat and maintenance. Track inspections were also being conducted on MetroRail. 

Meanwhile, field staff members were inspecting all bus stations, rail platforms and the service area overpasses and bridges, de-icing surfaces as needed. Customers were also allowed to use vehicles for temporary sheltering during layovers.

All detours and alerts are regularly updated on MetroAlerts and CapMetro.org.

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