Announcing $780,000 from the American Rescue Plan for CapMetro

Austin, TX  – This morning, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) announced a new $780,000 grant awarded to CapMetro by the Federal Transit Administration and the Department of Transportation—all funding made possible by the American Rescue Plan.

“More good news for Austin from the American Rescue Plan, which has done so much for our community,” said U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett. “These federal funds will help address workforce shortages, grow good-paying jobs, and upgrade the skills of CapMetro workers. These dollars support our continuing work to meet our mobility challenges and improve public transportation—getting people to work, school, and play, helping our transportation infrastructure grow stronger as our city grows.”

“This is great news for the hardworking frontline staff at CapMetro and it will truly make a difference,” said interim CapMetro President & CEO Dottie Watkins. “Workforce development is an important part of our strategic plan and investing in our frontline staff to best serve our community is key.”

This American Rescue Plan Route Planning Restoration grant will help CapMetro plan and implement a training program for frontline staff positions, including operators, mechanics, supervisors, and dispatchers to better support them at their time of hire and increase long-term employment. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on transit agencies, including CapMetro, which has had to adjust its service schedule in order to continue providing safe and reliable service to customers due to labor shortages. As the transit agency continues to actively recruit for frontline staff positions, this grant will be essential in helping re-establish service levels and provide even more resources for staff members who wish to grow their career at CapMetro.

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