Accessibility on CapMetro

All of our vehicles provide the following convenient access for riders who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, senior transit riders, and more:

  • CapMetro Bus: Buses "kneel" for easier boarding and come with lifts or low-floor ramps.
  • CapMetro Rail: Trains provide level boarding at station platforms.

We display the international access symbol on every accessible vehicle and on printed materials to indicate that services are accessible to people with disabilities.

Senior Transit Service Options

The following senior transportation solutions are provided in Austin and surrounding areas (CapMetro doesn't operate all services listed):

  1. Reduced Fare ID: Half price fare on all services for those aged 65 or older
  2. Pickup: Low cost, on-demand rides within select neighborhoods
  3. CARTS: Public transit in rural areas surrounding Austin
  4. Senior Rider's Guide: Helpful guidelines and resources from the Office of Mobility Management
  5. Senior Transportation from PARD: The City of Austin provides donation-based rides to seniors.

Reminder: All CapMetro services are wheelchair and scooter accessible. Our operators are trained to get you there safely and securely.

Free Travel Training 

We offer free travel training for seniors and riders with disabilities. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 512-369-6083. View the travel training brochure.

Priority Access Seating

The bus operator will be happy to help you with seating upon request. We reserve seating in the front of our buses and trains for the following:

  • Older Adults (Over 65)
  • People in wheelchairs
  • People with disabilities

Service Animals 

We welcome service animals on board under these conditions:

  • They must ride underneath the seat and shouldn't block the aisle.
  • They can sit beside riders with wheelchairs but shouldn't block the aisle.
  • If they're small in size and can't sit underneath the seat, they must remain in their handler's lap.

 

Accessibility Services and Programs

Trained Bus Operators 

Our bus operators are trained to meet the needs of riders with disabilities. If requested, they can assist riders with getting on and off a vehicle and securing wheelchairs. Bus operators are also trained in sensitivity and awareness to meet the needs of riders with disabilities.

Tether Strap Program

For wheelchairs that are challenging to secure on our fixed-route or MetroAccess vehicles, we offer a voluntary service that provides free yellow tethers (nylon loops) or identification tape. Trained professionals will evaluate your wheelchair to determine the best location to place the tethers or tape. To receive this evaluation service, make a reservation by calling 512-369-6083.

Calling Out Stops 

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all buses and bus operators on CapMetro's services will announce to riders the following information and orientation along the route and throughout the service area:

  • Major stops/timepoints along the route
  • Transfer locations and routes that serve them
  • Major intersections
  • Stops upon request

An automated stop announcement system in English and Spanish announces major bus stops on board buses and on trains at all MetroRail station stops. 

Courtesy Stop Requests 

If you encounter an accessibility barrier at a bus stop or have special disability needs, you can request to board or exit the vehicle at a safe location along your route other than a bus stop. This service is not available on Rapid, Flyer or Express.

CapMetro Access

CapMetro Access service is available to individuals who, because of a disability, are unable to ride regular bus or rail service. To learn more about this service, visit us online or call us at 512-389-7501.

Access Advisory Committee

The Access Advisory Committee is responsible for many of the service improvements for people with disabilities and seniors. Committee members are appointed by the board of directors to advise the board regarding accessibility issues.

To get involved in the committee, call 512-389-7583 (or 711) or attend one of the meetings, which are held the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted in monthly meeting announcements. Learn more about the Access Advisory Committee.

ADA Compliance 

For additional support regarding ADA compliance, you may contact Martin Kareithi, Director of Systemwide Accessibility at 512-389-7583 or at CCR-accessibility@capmetro.org.

File a Complaint

To file an ADA or accessibility complaint regarding CapMetro's programs or services, please use the online customer comment form, contact the Customer Service GO Line at 512-474-1200,  call Martin Kareithi, our Director of Systemwide Accessibility at 512-389-7583 or talk to us at CapMetro's Transit Store located at 209 West 9th St. Comments will be logged, investigated and responded to.

On request, we can provide:

All of our buses and trains provide accessibility for riders with disabilities. If you use a wheelchair or other mobility device and need assistance, our operators can help. If you'd like to practice using the ramp or securing your chair, schedule an appointment by calling our Travel Training department at 512-369-6083.

Boarding & Exiting the Bus

Here's how to board a bus with a wheelchair or scooter at any of our stops:

  • Wait for the bus operator to lower the ramp to the ground. Ride up the ramp.
  • Once on the bus, pay the fare at the farebox. If you need help accessing the farebox, the bus operator can assist you.
  • Proceed to one of the two securement areas reserved for riders who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
  • In the securement area, lock your device's brakes or, if you have a power chair or scooter, turn it off after the operator has secured your chair. Each securement area has a rider lap belt and shoulder belt. The bus operator will offer to secure you with either or both of these belts.
  • Use the conveniently located button to alert the bus operator when your stop is approaching. If you're unable to operate the button or would prefer to talk with the bus operator, just tell him or her where you'd like to get off.
  • At your requested stop, the bus operator will remove all securement straps and belts.
  • Proceed to the ramp.
  • The bus operator will lower the ramp to the sidewalk.
  • Move away from the ramp as soon as you're on the sidewalk.

A few of the buses in our fleet have lifts rather than ramps. Here's how to get on & off board a bus with a lift:

  • When the bus operator lowers the lift platform to the ground, slowly back your device onto the lift.
  • Once on board the lift, lock your chair's brakes or turn off the power. Hold on to the lift's handrail, and let the bus operator know when you're ready to be lifted onto the bus.
  • Proceed to one of the securement areas.
  • The bus operator will secure your wheelchair or scooter and offer to secure you with belts. Lock your brakes or turn off the power after the operator has secured your chair.
  • As you approach your stop, use the conveniently located button to alert the bus operator that you would like to get off, or tell the operator where you'd like to exit the vehicle.
  • Let the bus operator release all securements and belts.
  • Move forward onto the lift platform and set your device's brakes or turn off the power.
  • Hold on to the lift's handrail and let the bus operator know when you're ready to have the lift lowered.
  • When the platform barrier opens, exit the platform and move away from the lift as soon as you're on the sidewalk.

Boarding the Train

  • Proceed to the seating area nearest the doors. These are reserved for seniors, people with disabilities and people with wheelchairs or scooters.
  • Lock your brakes or turn your device off.
  • Enjoy the ride!

If you use a cane, crutches, walker, service animal or other mobility device, we offer these additional services:

  • Our bus operators can pull close to the curb to make it easier for you to get on and off the bus.
  • Our bus operators can give you extra time and assistance, if needed.
  • If you need the bus to be lowered so you can step onto the bus more easily, ask the bus operator to help by “kneeling” the bus. Upon request, the bus operator will lower the ramp.

CapMetro is committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and complies with all applicable rules and regulations issued by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). CapMetro provides reasonable modification to policies and procedures for customers with disabilities to ensure they can effectively use the agency's transit services.

Individuals requesting a modification should clearly describe what they need in order to use CapMetro bus and paratransit services. When feasible, please make any requests for modifications in advance by contacting: Access Customer Service at 512-852-7272, Access Eligibility at 512-389-7501 or Martin Kareithi, our Director of Systemwide Accessibility, at 512-389-7583. Where a request for modification cannot be made in advance, such as if a barrier or condition exists about which a customer is unaware, a determination will be made at the time of the request.

For more information or to file a complaint regarding a failure to provide a reasonable modification to policies and procedures, please contact:

Martin Kareithi, Director, Systemwide Accessibility
Email: CCR-accessibility@capmetro.org
Phone: 512-389-7583
Mail:
Martin Kareithi
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th St.
Austin, TX 78702

Help Us Test NaviLens 

Help us test new wayfinding technology for blind or low-vision riders by downloading the NaviLens App and visiting a bus stop equipped with a NaviLens code.

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