For the third consecutive year, Austin, Texas-based Capital Metro earned the Texas Comptroller’s Gold Leadership Circle designation for the transit authority’s commitment to financial transparency online.

The program recognizes local governments that strive to meet a high standard of financial transparency by opening their books to the public and providing information in a clear, consistent and user-friendly format. Capital Metro was the first Texas transit agency to earn the Gold transparency rating from the Texas Comptroller.

“Capital Metro has worked hard over the past few years to get its financial house in order and gain the public’s trust,” said Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson. “I am pleased to have led Capital Metro on this path to greater accountability, fiscal responsibility and transparency.”

Capital Metro’s strong financial position and stability enables it to invest strategically in the region’s mobility. The transit agency is implementing a five-year capital improvement plan, which will help build a strong infrastructure throughout the entire five-county region. These improvements include MetroRapid, a new high-capacity transit mode coming to Austin’s busiest streets in 2014, the addition of more efficient and comfortable buses to the fleet, and implementation of positive train control on its commuter rail line.