Capital Metro has been recommended to receive about $17.4 million in federal funding as early as 2010. The money is for a new program is called Capital MetroRapid.

They submitted the MetroRapid project just nine months ago and it was included in the budget which was presented to congress by President Barack Obama last week.

Capital Metro President, Fred Gilliam said, “The possibility of Capital MetroRapid receiving funding as early as FY2010 demonstrates the importance of expanding mass transit in our nation and especially in central Texas.”

MetroRapid is a limited-stop bus service that will operate on city streets as a rapid transit system. The vehicles used for MetroRapid will be equipped with signal priority technology to keep traffic lights green as buses approach major intersections to avoid any incidents.

The Initial service would operate on two of the heaviest traveled corridors and is planned to serve South Austin, Downtown, the Capitol area, the University of Texas and North Austin.

The new MetroRapid program is aimed to connect with MetroBus and MetroRail service to reduce travel times by up to 20 percent.

This new project is part of the All Systems Go Long-Range Transit Plan that will include expanded local and express bus service, new and improved park and ride facilities and MetroRail service.

For more information visit allsystemsgo.capmetro.org