CapMetro Offering Free Rides to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

Any Central Texas community member can use the free service

* * *UPDATE 1/28/2021 - CapMetro’s Vaccine Access program is now booking requests weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These scheduling times are updated from the ones given in the press release below.* * *

AUSTIN, Texas (January 13, 2020 ) - CapMetro is now offering complimentary curb-to-curb service for community members with COVID-19 vaccination appointments. The transit agency’s MetroAccess vehicles are accepting requests for this service, and community members do not need to be a MetroAccess customer to utilize it.

“Throughout the COVID-10 pandemic, CapMetro has continued to provide essential travel for customers to reach critical destinations and services through safe and reliable transit,” said Chad Ballentine, CapMetro Vice President of Demand Response and Innovative Mobility. “Ensuring community members can securely reach their COVID-19 vaccination appointments is part of CapMetro’s ongoing initiative to protect the health and safety of the Central Texas community.”

The complimentary service is currently only available for individual customers who are in CapMetro’s service area and receiving the COVID-19 vaccination through phase I and II of the Texas Department of Health’s vaccine distribution plan. CapMetro is also working with community partners, like Foundation Communities, to help the people they serve access their vaccine appointments. The transit agency will closely monitor the demand for the program and adjust the scope based on vehicle availability and resources.

Community members utilizing the service must make their COVID-19 vaccine appointment before reserving their free ride. CapMetro does not administer the vaccine or schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for customers.

To schedule transportation, community members can call 512-369-6050 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

When making the reservation, customers will need to be prepared with the following information:

Pickup address
Vaccine appointment address
Requested appointment and return times
If the customer is traveling with another person or utilizing any mobility aids

All CapMetro’s established COVID-19 safety protocols will be enforced during these trips. Community members utilizing this service must wear facial coverings while on board, and shared trips will be avoided unless customers are riding to and from the same location. All CapMetro vehicles, including MetroAccess vehicles, are cleaned daily with disinfectant, and an electrostatic product is used to ensure surfaces are sanitized. MetroAccess operators will not be able to provide assistance in getting a customer into the vehicle, and customers will need to arrange any necessary assistance to and from the vehicle.

For more information, please visit CapMetro.org/Vaccine-Access.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Jenna Maxfield, 512-592-2171