Dirt is turning on a few projects that will bring more transit options to Austin.

Capital Metro held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, December 15 to celebrate the MetroRapid Expo Center groundbreaking. That groundbreaking is part of the Project Connect program of projects, which includes four new MetroRapid routes that enhance frequency and quality of service. The new Expo Center Route will connect East Austin to the University...

Movability’s members are employers and transportation service providers who are committed to improving the mobility landscape in Central Texas and helping shift the culture from moving cars to moving people. This saves money on parking costs, reduces stress for employees, and takes time back from traffic.

Welcome to our newest members:

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Don't miss Central Texas' biggest mobility event of the year!

Join us to hear from keynote speaker Chris Ivarson of Google, celebrate employers large and small that are leading the way toward better mobility in Central TX, and enjoy networking.

Register here

Movability is thrilled that our Program Manager Anton Cox was recognized as a 40 Under 40 winner by the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) for his work in transportation demand management (TDM)!

ACT's 40 Under 40 awards celebrate a diverse cross-section of professionals working to improve transportation options for commuters. Awardees include individuals working for private sector employers, city and state governments,...

Last week Movability and Ghisallo Cycling Initiative held a Mobility Camp for Capital Metro employees. This fun bike clinic included a basic city cycling safety overview and a bike ride with MetroBikes on protected paths near Capital Metro's office. Capital Metro employees all get access to...

Austin's City Manager approved a revised version of the Transportation Criteria Manual, or TCM this month, a change that prioritizes vulnerable street users and provides consistent guidance on safe street design to engineers, planners, consultants and developers.

The TCM is one of nine criteria manuals included in the land development code. The new TCM changes include narrower street sections to create safer crossings for pedestrians,...

Movability members signed up for the Get There Central Texas program have been participating in the Return to Work, Not Traffic challenge this fall by logging their trips and earning points. We're excited to announce the first winner of the largest prize, a $150 gift card, is a Samsung Austin Semiconductor employee. Way to go,...

Join Movability and Capital Metro at an event geared toward the business community to learn about Project Connect and what it means for Central Texas employers. The discussion will include information about the design and timeline of the new transit lines being built as part of Project Connect....

This September, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its recommended limits for almost every pollutant. "The new global air quality guidelines reflect an overwhelming scientific consensus that countries need to more...

Capital Metro is offering free fares for all customers throughout October. So tell us - now that you have a free ride, where are you taking transit to this month? Drop us a line with photos and information about your October transit adventures at info@movabilitytx.org and we may feature your story in next month's newsletter.

The fare suspension is offered as a thank you to customers as they address the effects on service of staffing...

Movability’s members are employers and transportation service providers who are committed to improving the mobility landscape in Central Texas and helping shift the culture from moving cars to moving people. This saves money on parking costs, reduces stress for employees, and takes time back from traffic.

Welcome to our newest members:

...

Does your business, university, or building offer outstanding commuter benefits?

Whether it's teleworking, bike facilities, shuttles, or other benefits you can gain recognition that boosts recruitment and retention through Best Workplaces for Commuters. Movability offers help with the application to our...

It's one thing to read about the benefits of riding a bike, taking transit, walking, or using other alternative travel modes - but sometimes a hands-on experience is even better.

Movability will begin holding Mobility Camp for our members to provide just that. Mobility Camps will take small groups through guided mobility experiences, from bike riding to transit adventures and more.

This fall we will work with...

Capital Metro will begin holding virtual Community Design Workshops this week that will give you the opportunity to discuss preliminary station concepts with Project Connect designers.

The first Community Design Workshop is on September 16 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, focused on the Pleasant Valley/Riverside station on Project Connect’s Blue...

Commute options are one of the most desired benefits for job seekers. At the Better Commute Expo, a virtual tabling event, you will meet providers who can help you attract new employees by building a strong commute program.

This FREE online event will put mobility providers from bicycle programs and micro-mobility to commute management software and shuttle solutions in one virtual room. Employers can come and go as their schedule...

The start of a new school year usually means a big jump in traffic congestion. Start the school year off right by creating new habits that don't add to traffic!

Here are some great ways to build healthy mobility habits for students and their adults. Use these modes to get to school and work:

• Follow Arthur P.'s example and beat the back-to-school traffic by riding bikes to school and work. He's an Austin ISD student who made a...

Capital Metro has lots of news to share!

• The agency has returned more of its services to pre-pandemic levels and also increased the frequency on some routes. See route updates, including frequency on routes, late-night service, and Express Route changes here.
• Project Connect is hosting on-demand virtual open houses where...

TxDOT’s I-35 Capital Express Central Project is a massive, $4.9 billion project that will run through the heart of Austin, and citizen input is crucial! A virtual, online public meeting is available through September 8 on...

Get There Central Texas is a program that helps Central Texans find ride matches, and rewards them when they log their trips and commutes - whether they're teleworking, taking the bus, riding a bike, or carpooling with someone they found on the platform! (Yes, teleworking too! When you telecommute, you're keeping a vehicle out of rush hour traffic on that day. We count that as a ride. So log all of your telecommutes in...

We're thrilled to welcome Priscilla Takyi to the Movability team for the summer and next two semesters!

Priscilla attends the University of Texas at Austin, where she is a rising senior majoring in Corporate Communications. At Movability, she is helping us with communications and marketing. In her free time, she likes to run, read historical fiction novels, and try different taco places in Austin.

Say hi if you see her in a Zoom...

Even though Central Texas has been spared brutal summer heat, this is a time of year when Ozone Action Days happen more frequently. That means ozone levels are expected to reach levels that are "unhealthy for sensitive groups" or higher. For more information on regional air quality, visit Air Central Texas.

By cutting down on the number of drive-alone...

Smart City Policy Group will be hosting a Mobility Innovation & Policy Summit on Tuesday, August 31 followed by a Short-term Rental Innovation & Policy Summit on September 1. Both events will take place at the Austin Central Library Conference Center and will bring together policymakers, stakeholders, and industry leaders.

Let's Go News...

Austin's first professional soccer team, Austin FC, is holding their first match on June 19. There are lots of ways to get there without the headaches of driving and parking!

• Bus: Capital Metro is increasing their transit frequency on game days, and will also offer Park...

Join Movability and our panelists on June 24 from noon to 1:00pm CST for a webinar looking at how shared mobility can boost sustainability, cost savings, and workplace health.

Register here

The Association for Commuter Transportation has named the week of May 10-14 as TDM Week to spread awareness of how important TDM is. Unless you're in the transportation industry, it's probably an acronym you haven't heard of.

TDM stands for Transportation Demand Management, and it simply means spreading the demand - people who are traveling - to more than...

Traveling the world might not be a possibility yet, but you can satisfy that wanderlust right here at home this May with the Bike ATX Passport from Movability! What better way to celebrate Bike Month than seeing your town on two wheels, and supporting local establishments while you're at it?

Here's how it works:...

Movability is growing! Welcome to Beth Ann Ray, Movability's Strategic Partnerships Manager. Her focus is growing Movability’s membership and identifying other opportunities that benefit Movability members.

Beth Ann brings over 15 years of policy, advocacy, and government relations to Movability from past positions at AECOM, the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the American Society of Engineers, and the Real Estate Council of Austin. She...

If you drive to points north of Austin, you've likely heard that the I-35 ramp to U.S. 183 North closed last weekend and will remain closed for four months. That's led to some gnashing of teeth, as is the case almost anytime a high-traffic corridor closes partially or totally.

There are, however, some silver linings. Big shifts outside of our control can help us establish new habits (hello, pandemic and telework.) For many travelers,...

Two years ago the Austin City Council unanimously adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP). The ASMP guides Austin's transportation planning and implementation over the next 20 years in coordination with other City departments and regional partners. More importantly, it sets some pretty important goals for moving more people, not more cars.

The ASMP aims to shift how Austinites commute, with a goal of half of the city's...

Movability's Board of Directors is a dedicated group of 13 individuals who give their time and talent to help our region grow its transportation options and connectivity as the population grows. They've also helped Movability expand the services we bring Central Texas!

We couldn't do what we do without them, and we truly appreciate all they do. Learn more about our talented board and who they are...

Earlier this year Movability conducted a survey that we designed with Texas State University looking at the motivation for travel during the pandemic. That survey has closed and we're happy to share the results here.

Visit the survey dashboard to get a closer look at the data

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Last fall Movability launched our first ever round of microgrant funding with the GoGrant program. The recipients of that funding used it toward bike-related projects. There are a few exciting updates to share as the projects move from concept to reality!

Hillside Farmacy has worked with local artist Brandon Petree to build a custom bike rack in front of...

In a recent update to the Mayor and City Council, the Austin Transportation Department said the Healthy Streets program will slowly begin to wind down the original pilot program and begin the work of planning for permanent Healthy Streets Infrastructure.

The temporary routes on Riverside Drive, Garden Villa Lane, and the northern section of Comal Street are in the process of being removed. About four miles of temporary Healthy Streets...

GoGrant, Movability's microgrant program for small, Austin-based businesses will have another round of funding this spring, with the application period opening April 5.

Learn more about the latest GoGrant funding here, and plan to sign up for a Q&A session on March 31 where you'll be able to ask questions about the program.

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Earlier this month we let you know about a survey that Movability and Texas State University designed to find out what is motivating so many to be on the roads right now - creating congestion - given the fact that many employers and schools are still operating remotely.

That survey has now closed, and we are analyzing the results from the more than 1,500 participants who took the survey! Follow us here and on social media to find out...

Movability’s members are employers and transportation service providers who are committed to improving the mobility landscape in Central Texas and helping shift the culture from moving cars to moving people. This saves money on parking costs, reduces stress for employees, and takes time back from traffic.

Welcome to our newest members:

...

Capital Metro and Austin Transportation are partnering to bring two miles of transit priority lanes to East Riverside Drive. The interim lanes between Grove Boulevard and Summit Street will organize traffic flow and improve on-time performance and Capital Metro service...

Last week's winter storm devastated Central Texas. We know many of our members and loved ones were impacted, and we hope that you have found some relief now that the bitter cold is behind us.

Several of Movability's partners have gathered helpful information around recovery, utilities, and other areas. We are presenting some of that information here, and hope it will be helpful as we move forward.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce...

Movability’s members are employers and transportation service providers who are committed to improving the mobility landscape in Central Texas and helping shift the culture from moving cars to moving people. This saves money on parking costs, reduces stress for employees, and takes time back from traffic.

Welcome to our newest members:

Halff Associates...

Movability is proud to recognize the members who have earned a spot on the Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) list for 2021. Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) is an innovative membership program that provides qualified employers with national recognition and an elite designation for offering outstanding commuter benefits. Employers and developments that meet the...

Movability’s signature event, the annual Mayor’s Mobility Breakfast and Award Ceremony, went virtual this year! This year’s event featured a live virtual Q&A with Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Huston-Tillotson President and Austin Transit Partnership board member Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, and Capital Metro's CEO Randy Clarke. We hope everyone enjoyed this discussion about how the past year's events have shaped the way we use mobility...

If you find yourself wondering why there's so much traffic - despite the fact that many employers and schools are still operating remotely - you can help us discover the answer!

Movability and Texas State University have designed a survey to find out what is motivating so many to be on the roads right now - creating congestion - given the fact that many employers and schools are still operating remotely. Help us out by taking the...

In this recap of ACT’s 2021 trends webinar, Movability members WeDriveU and Tesla, along with Wells + Associates, weigh in on commuting trends for workplaces and campuses.

You’ll find lots of inspiration for 2021 planning - everything from return-to-office/campus efforts to electric vehicles and funding ideas for commuter programs.

...

Mobility has a growing role in real estate—it's not just about location anymore, but how accessible that location is. In central Texas, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of mobility is cars and parking. However, as the region grows so does the congestion and the demand for better mobility options.

While infrastructure improvements are on the way, properties can attract and retain tenants and residents by adopting...

The 2021 Transportation Summit will convene hundreds of business and public-sector leaders to address the region's path forward on transportation issues on Feb. 25 in San Marcos.

Leaders - including Movability Executive Director Lisa Kay Pfannenstiel - will come together to take an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities that face San Marcos transportation systems today and into the next 20 years.

...

The Capital Area Regional Transportation Coordination Committee helps the Capital Area planning region - which includes 10 Central Texas counties - develop and oversee the implementation of a regionally coordinated transportation plan for that region.

This year the RTCC is updating the region’s 5-year plan, which will include, among other things:

• Identifying overlaps and gaps in the provision of public transportation...

GoGrant, Movability's micro-grant initiative for small Austin-based businesses, finished its first round of funding in late 2020. We're pleased to be giving $31,647 in funding to eight local businesses! Those funds will help small, Austin-based business owners purchase bikes and create safe and secure parking for bikes and scooters.

In early 2021 GoGrant will be back with another round of funding for local small businesses. Learn more...

Movability works with many great partner members, almost all of whom have been affected by the pandemic. We were not the only ones who were sad to learn of Revel's departure from the Austin market in December, so we asked Revel's Stephen Cortes to leave us with some parting words. Stephen writes:

"Revel thoroughly enjoyed operating in Austin and serving as a real way for Austinites to reduce car trips, parking congestion, and...

Movability’s members are employers and transportation service providers who are committed to improving the mobility landscape in Central Texas and helping shift the culture from moving cars to moving people. This saves money on parking costs, reduces stress for employees, and takes time back from traffic.

Welcome to our newest members:

...

The Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) recently established a national certification program for Transportation Demand Management (TDM) professionals. We’re proud to announce that Movability’s Executive Director, Lisa Kay Pfannenstiel, has passed the exam and earned her TDM-CP certification!

The role of the TDM professional continues to expand with increased congestion in urban cores, mobility challenges in rural and...

Some exciting mobility developments are underway in Austin!

In partnership with Capital Metro, Austin Transportation crews...

Now that Project Connect has won voter approval and is moving forward, an independent organization has formed to guide the process.

The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has the authority and resources to design, construct and implement the Project Connect program. ATP's board members, appointed by Capital Metro and the Austin City Council, are Mayor Steve Adler, Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Veronica Castro de Barrera, Tony Elkins, and...

Now more than ever, having a commute plan that gives employees a variety of options is important for employers of all sizes. While a return to work date might be uncertain, what is certain is that traffic will be back - and we have all experienced a shift in our habits and assumptions around commuting.

Let Movability help you plan for what's next, whether that's mitigating parking costs or helping you turn your current telework plan...

Movability’s signature event, the annual Mayor’s Mobility Breakfast and Award Ceremony, will look a little different this year as we go virtual! This year’s event will feature a live virtual Q&A with Mayor Adler. We will also recognize leading employers in an engaging, informative, and entertaining video that will be aired during the online event.

• ...

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is seeking public comment on its proposed options for rebuilding I-35 through Austin. The comment period runs through Dec. 31.

The Downtown Austin Alliance, one of Movability's Founding Partners, has assembled a diverse coalition of businesses, neighborhood associations, universities and...

There's a lot going on with Capital Metro this winter!

• Capital Metro, Whole Foods Market and the Central Texas Food Bank are teaming up to make the season bright for our Central Texas neighbors in need. The ninth annual “Stuff the Bus” is going virtual this year, allowing you to make a contribution to help families across our region with just the click of a button.

...

Movability has been conducting return-to-work surveys throughout the pandemic. We're pleased to present here the most recent version of that survey, reflecting answers gathered this fall.

Please reach out to Anton Cox with any questions.

Last month Movability hosted the "Behavior Change Conversations Through Motivational Interviewing" Workshop, and for the first time ever it was 100% virtual!

Workshop attendees were able to learn and apply motivation interviewing techniques, a non-confrontational approach that allows people to come up with their own solutions to their travel challenges.

Movability will host a 1-hour reconnect and refresh discussion on Monday...

Introducing the inaugural Mobility Games!

This month-long challenge is a fun way to build some active transportation habits by logging your active trips - walking, bicycling, or micro-mobility - to be entered for prizes. Participants can win prizes for distance logged, and will also be entered for random drawings by logging trips and by sharing pictures of their active trips on Twitter with #MobilityGames20. Trips do not need to be...

Capital Metro is offering free rides on Election Day, November 3, on all transit and with MetroBike.

To get your 24 hour pass to ride MetroBike for free on Election Day, enter the following codes in your BCycle App or at the...

Movability is proud to announce a grant program for small, Austin-based businesses: GoGrant. The GoGrant program will provide financial assistance of up to $5,000 to qualifying businesses to support active and micro-mobility options.

Businesses can support customers and employees with options like:

· Bike racks

· Memberships to shared mobility like MetroBike, Bird, or Revel

...

The application period for Best Workplaces for Commuters has been extended to Dec. 31.

This prestigious recognition for individual employers, multiple-employer properties, and universities gives awardees national recognition and access to training and additional professional certifications and networking. Earning the BWC is also a great recruiting tool....

Capital Metro's downtown station opened on Oct. 19, several months ahead of its originally-scheduled opening.

The new station features three tracks and two platforms, and will act as a public plaza that ties together the Downtown Station, the Convention Center and surrounding hotels and businesses.

Capital Metro says that while the new Downtown Station and adjacent plaza will enhance the area's public space, its primary...

Capital Metro is offering, as it does in every major election year, free rides to the polls on Election Day. This year Election Day falls on Nov. 3. On even-numbered years, Capital Metro offers free rides throughout Election Day on all its transit services.

Visit Capital Metro's website to plan your ride.

Texans can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Tuesday,...

You may have noticed some changes on Austin streets - the bright red Austin BCycle bikes, under a new management partnership between the city of Austin and Capital Metro, have been rebranded to sport a new color and logo as MetroBike. The current B-Cycle app has also been integrated with Capital Metro's app, which means you can buy passes for the bikes through both apps.

The...

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Movability’s members are employers and transportation service providers who are committed to improving the mobility landscape in Central Texas and helping shift the culture from moving cars to moving people. This saves money for parking costs, reduces stress for employees, and takes time back from traffic.

Welcome to our newest members:

Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce offers a...

Gain the tools and confidence to be a Motivational Interviewing (MI) practitioner in this 3-day online interactive workshop with a focus on encouraging the adoption of sustainable transportation habits

When: Oct. 20, 22, and 26, 8:30 am-12:30 pm CDT

Cost: $100-$150

...

This fall, Austin Transportation will make mobility and safety improvements on Congress Avenue between Riverside Drive and 11th Street. The changes will include protected bicycle lanes, left and right turn lanes at key intersections, safer and more flexible signalization, and improved pedestrian crossings. The improvements are a significant interim step towards the complete improvements envisioned in the...

Pickup, Capital Metro’s popular rideshare service, has expanded to the City of Lago Vista! With the Pickup app, you can arrange on-demand transit service for just $1.25.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, customers are encouraged to limit travel as much as possible. As with other Capital Metro services, Pickup by CapMetro is currently operating on a reduced schedule. Service is available in most Pickup zones weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7...

Mark your calendars!

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and ongoing impact on cities worldwide. It's clear the past strategies need to be updated and augmented. Is our future going to look more like Ready Player One or Minority Report? It’s up to us. As populations grow, technology will help improve the way we live from resource management to food production to transportation.

...

Last week, Smart Trips Austin launched its new Transportation Resource Guide, featuring incentives for Austinites to try new ways to get around. Austinites can access Smart Trips resources to receive tips and information for getting around safely during and after COVID-19. Participants can also...

Capital Metro returned many of its bus routes to their regular service level in August, as University of Texas and other college students began to return to campuses.

Those schedule changes and updates include:

• Most MetroBus and MetroRapid services are operating their normal schedules. For detailed route information, visit Schedules and Maps and select an individual route...

We're thrilled to welcome Rafael Sanchez (he/him/his) to the Movability team for the fall and spring semesters! We asked Rafael to share his interests and background in his own words:

"I am a current third-year student at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in public health and urban studies. My usual commute consists of walking and taking the 803/801 express. However, I'm currently attempting to get a bike to make the commute...

Last week, Austin City Council approved two ballot measures that will give voters the choice to fund Project Connect, the $7 billion plan for a high-capacity transit system in Austin, and a $460 million active mobility bond at the November 3, 2020 election.

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