CapMetro’s Pickup service recently reached a new milestone, providing more than 2,000 rides in a single day across its 11 neighborhood zones. This record was set on February 22, 2024, with 2,001 riders using the on-demand transportation option. The increase in ridership comes after the launch of the Dove Springs zone in Southeast Austin in January, which saw a daily peak of 96 customers on February 23.
Dottie Watkins, President & CEO at CapMetro, commented on the achievement: “I’m thrilled to see the positive impact our services are having on our region. This milestone reflects the need for more diverse transit options and the ongoing commitment of our staff to keeping these communities moving.”
The Pickup service is designed to improve mobility by offering flexible, on-demand rides within designated areas. Each of CapMetro’s zones is tailored to serve specific neighborhoods and provides connections to schools, grocery stores, doctors’ offices, and other locations. At $1.25 per trip—the same fare as a regular bus—Pickup offers an affordable complement to traditional fixed-route buses.
On average, Pickup serves about 182 riders daily across all zones and received an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.87 out of 5 for January. Customers can use a dedicated app to request rides and track vehicles in real time or book trips by phone if they do not have access to the app.
According to information from the official website of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro), the agency serves diverse communities throughout Austin and Central Texas with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity (https://www.capmetro.org/). CapMetro supports over 31 million boardings each year (https://www.capmetro.org/) and aims to empower and enhance regional mobility through responsible public transportation (https://www.capmetro.org/). Dottie Watkins currently leads as president and chief executive officer (https://www.capmetro.org/).
CapMetro operates under a board-appointed structure with committees overseeing finance, audit, administration, operations, planning, and safety (https://www.capmetro.org/). The organization prioritizes safety, equity, community engagement, innovation, transparency, and sustainable access while facilitating millions of trips annually in Austin and Central Texas (https://www.capmetro.org/).
More details about CapMetro’s Pickup service are available at CapMetro.org/Pickup.
