Fare Relief Will Minimize Interactions, Help Protect Customers and Staff

AUSTIN, Texas - CapMetro will implement free fares for all customers beginning Wednesday, April 1. All fares will be suspended through the month of April.

Fare-free service will help social distancing by eliminating the need for customers to show their pass, pay the operator or use the farebox. It also speeds boarding and reduces crowding at vehicle entrances. Our goal is to protect our operators and customers from close physical proximity to reduce the spread of the virus. We are currently serving customers that use our service to perform essential duties, and this is a way we can support them.

The fare-free period is not meant to encourage any additional ridership. We ask our customers to use transit for essential trips only during the Stay Home-Work Safe shelter-in-place period.

MetroAccess customers will still be required to show a valid ID before boarding.

CapMetro connects people to healthcare jobs, grocery stores and other critical services. Public transportation saves money for those making essential trips during these uncertain times.

We are working around the clock to ensure a clean and safe environment for our operators and customers. Temporary staff have been stationed throughout the system to provide additional bus, rail and transit facility cleaning.

To help our most vulnerable customers, we launched a partnership with H-E-B and the Central Texas Food Bank, delivering Help-at-Home kits to MetroAccess subscribers. We have expanded this program beyond MetroAccess customers and are now delivering at places like Wildflower Terrace, Lyons Gardens, Oak Springs Villa and other similar facilities. As of Friday, March 27, we have delivered over 877 grocery boxes, which equates to over 18,000 meals.

We urge everyone to continue practicing good hygiene to help slow the spread of germs, including washing their hands frequently, sneezing or coughing into their arm, and staying home. Our customers and employees are asked to practice social distancing, which could mean staying at least six feet away from your neighbor when aboard the bus or in any other public space or avoiding unnecessary travel.

CapMetro will continue to monitor developments and use every available resource to keep customers, employees and the community healthy and safe.

For more information about CapMetro's response to COVID-19, please visit CapMetro.org/COVID19.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jenna Maxfield, 512-592-2171
CCR-Communications@capmetro.org