Central Texas' high-capacity transit plan wins innovation award
The Project Connect plan projects include regional rail, bus rapid transit, urban rail, managed lanes and other high-capacity modes.
The Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International – Heart of Texas Chapter presented Central Texas' Project Connect with the 2013 Innovative Transportation Solutions Award at its 10th Annual Transportation Gala and Scholarship Fundraiser earlier this month.
Project Connect is the high-capacity transit vision for Central Texas, endorsed by the Transit Working Group, as a subcommittee of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, which serves as the umbrella that all high-capacity transit projects in Central Texas have been developed under. The projects include regional rail, bus rapid transit, urban rail, managed lanes and other high-capacity modes.
Adding more detail to the system level plan is a pair of corridor studies currently underway. Those studies encompass the North Corridor, which is focused on studying the fast-growing areas of North Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville and others.
The second study is Central Corridor, which is studying transit options in the heartbeat of Central Texas, Central Austin. Those options include the potential for urban rail and/or the expansion of bus rapid transit within the city of Austin and the neighboring suburbs.
The award recognizes the creative work Project Connect is undertaking to improve the quality of life for Central Texas residents. Other nominees included Carma, the City of Austin’s Bicycle Program and Commute Solutions. Project Connect is now in the running for the international Innovative Transportation Solutions Award at the WTS International annual conference in May in Portland, Ore.
“It’s gratifying for Project Connect to be selected from a pool of so many deserving nominees,” said Capital Metro President/CEO Linda S. Watson, who accepted the award on behalf of the Project Connect. “This award shows the work that Project Connect is doing is important and will have a profound impact on the Austin area and the people who call Central Texas home.”
Several elements of the Project Connect vision are already online, including Capital Metro’s 32-mile, nine station MetroRail Red Line as well as its MetroRapid bus rapid transit line.
More Bus
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
Photo Highlights from APTA's 2026 Mobility Conference
The photo gallery captures scenes from the conference, including the International Bus Roadeo, exhibit hall activities, the Bus Showcase, and much more.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Philadelphia's SEPTA Approves Annual Transit Service Plan
Between 2021 and 2024, SEPTA held more than 200 public meetings — including 144 in-person sessions — throughout the SEPTA service region.
Read More →
A True Low-Floor Minibus Design Delivers Better Accessibility and Efficiency for Everyone
As transit demands evolve, so should your fleet. Download the whitepaper to see how the Low-Floor Frontrunner Minibus compares to traditional options.
Read More →
WMATA Debuts 'Fares Pay for Service' Awareness Campaign
The campaign was highlighted during a media event at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where WMATA’s GM/CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, WMATA management team, board members, and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Foothill Gold Line Award, Matawan Contract, and More
From strategic partnerships to acquisitions and service expansions, the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Find out all the latest here.
Read More →