City council recently approved new City Code changes on February 13, 2025. Changes include three new violations, easier music equipment loading processes, clarity on delivery and passenger zones, and some increased fine amounts among other changes.
Beginning March 1, the City of Austin will be increasing fines related to parking infractions across the city.
Some of the increased fines include:
- Non-payment for use of a metered space (increasing to $75)
- Parking within an intersection (increasing to $75)
- Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign (increasing to $75)
These changes are part of recent City Code changes approved by Austin City Council on February 13, 2025. The full table of parking violations and associated fines is available at AustinTexas.gov.
Additionally, there are three new violations in the updated parking code:
- Blocking a signed or marked bike lane
- Blocking an electric vehicle charging station
- Blocking a right-of-way closure area during special events
There will be a three-month period of public education about these new violations where only educational materials or warnings will be given when infractions are found.
Residents are encouraged to use the Park ATX mobile app, where you can pay, extend and manage your parking session remotely with just a few taps. If your meter is about to expire, you can use the app to add time. You can also get some of your parking fees back if you finish your parking session early; just press the "stop parking" button in the active parking session on the app, some restrictions apply.
People can use up to two free 15-minute parking sessions every 24 hours through the Park ATX mobile app. Prior to completing a parking session, redeem validation by using codes FREE15ATX1 and FREE15ATX2. Both validation codes can be used on the same parking session for a total of 30 minutes free or individually on separate parking sessions. Any additional time past the validation amount will be charged the normal parking fees.
CapMetro's Rapid Routes 800 Pleasant Valley and 837 Expo Center are now available to riders. The introductory service began Sunday, February 23 as part of Project Connect, which voters approved in 2020 to expand public transportation in Central Texas. The 800 and 837 lines will provide important transit connections to areas east of I35, with buses arriving every 20 to 30 minutes. "800 Pleasant Valley" will bring service from the Mueller neighborhood to Goodnight Ranch in Southeast Austin and "837 Expo Center" will bring service from Northeast Austin to Downtown Austin.
CapMetro’s Board of Directors approved the Pleasant Valley and Expo Center lines with the January 2025 Service Change, and the agency spent last month testing the lines to ensure a safe and reliable service for customers.
Some Rapid stations and new Park and Rides are still in process of construction and customers can expect further enhancements beyond initial service of new Rapid Routes. The full vision is expected to launch in 2026.
Starting March 1, 2025, CapMetro App and AMP cards will stop working. The agency is transitioning to a new fare system including "new Umo app" and reloadable fare card enhancing customer experience. Buses serving these two new lines and entire network have new faster scanners compatible with new app/fare card. For more information about two new Rapid Service routes or agency's new fare system visit CapMetro.org.
The City of Austin has completed several major arterial management projects funded by the "2018 Mobility Bonds," which have significantly improved traffic flow throughout city.
- System Traffic Monitoring Enhancement: Upgraded video management system (VMS) at Mobility Management Center providing real-time video feeds enabling staff respond quickly traffic incidents/congestion issues.
- Transit Signal Priority (TSP) System Implementation: Adjusts traffic signal timings trigger/extend green lights transit vehicles reducing delays/improving reliability.
- Citywide Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) System: Allows emergency vehicles change traffic lights green reducing delays/improving response times enhancing emergency response capabilities smoother/faster passage responders currently testing nine vehicles/100 intersections full rollout expected end year.
- Communication System Upgrade/Expansion: Developed engineering plans fifteen fiber optic lines enhance communication reliability installation funded through "2020 bond" other sources strengthening signal communication infrastructure replacing outdated network equipment ensuring improved performance/reliability.
- Detection System Enhancements: Upgraded detection systems more than hundred intersections replacing in-pavement detection aerial detection improving reliability preventing damage poor pavement conditions road construction utility work.
Information from this article can be found here.