advertisement

---

The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Agency’s (Capital Metro) board recently adopted a $168.2 million operating budget and $44.6 million capital budget for fiscal-year 2011, which begins Oct. 1. The Austin, Texas, transit agency’s budget funds increased MetroRail service with new mid-day service beginning in January.

The budget also increases cash reserves by $2.9 million, keeps the agency current on ongoing commitments, and leverages local and federal funds to implement transit projects such as new MetroRapid service, Capital Metro officials said in a prepared statement.

The budget includes a fare increase for pass rates, MetroAccess fares and RideShare, and standarizes MetroExpress and MetroRail fares as one premium fare. Free fares would be eliminated.

The capital budget includes $1.7 million for railroad bridge repair and replacement.