Capital Metro reduces route frequency as it faces staffing shortages
AUSTIN, Texas — Capital Metro is facing staffing shortages due to the pandemic which is disrupting bus services throughout Austin.
Longtime bus rider Cyrus Fields commutes to work by bus every day but recently he’s noticed a change in Capital Metro’s service.
“It’s been pretty poor as far as in them canceling routes and drivers not really knowing where to go,” Fields said.
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What used to be simple is now causing a headache for him. CapMetro said a staffing shortage is to blame. It will temporarily reduce service on all 15 of its high-frequency routes starting Sept. 19 including a suspension to its late-night E-Bus routes.
CapMetro's website says a few of the routes have been running at 10 to 12-minute frequencies and are returning to 15. Others will operate at reduced frequencies, either every 20 or 30 minutes. They said the 10-12 minute frequencies were implemented before COVID vaccines were readily available and before new air filtration systems were installed on buses.
“It’ll make it to where I have to leave even earlier to basically make sure that I make the bus to get to work on time,” Fields said.
Bus rider Terry Mathis said the wait times have been longer.
“Like one time last week, I was at the Tech Ridge Center and I waited almost 45 minutes to almost an hour waiting on the next bus,” Mathis said.
Chief Operating Officer Dottie Watkins said the pandemic has taken a toll on bus operators. CapMetro has started a recruitment campaign to offer a hiring bonus of up to $3,500 that will be distributed over the course of a year.
“Honestly, many of them are exhausted,” Watkins said. “We really do want to encourage folks to look at this as an opportunity to get a good job, which it is, but an opportunity to start a career.”
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As a former bus driver Mathis said CapMetro needs higher wages to keep up with the cost of living in Austin. Watkins said they are constantly tracking how its pay lines up with the market. CapMetro is also providing full benefits including medical, dental, vision, and more.
“The wages that they’re offering is not comparing,” Mathis said.
The problems the transportation service is facing are understandable to riders but they’re hopeful the service changes will help create a smoother commute.
