Capital Metro Launches On-Demand Pickup Service In Pflugerville

PFLUGERVILLE, TX — Capital Metro launched a new pickup zone that brings on-demand public transportation to Pflugerville on Tuesday.

The transportation agency said the service will take customers to and from anywhere within the local service zone and will be available between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.

The handicap accessible service will pick customers up from their location within 15 minutes or less. Customers can request a ride directly from the smartphone app or by calling the Pickup Service Center at 512-369-6200.

Authorities said the on-demand transportation service was created to help customers in Pflugerville get to important locations, such as shopping centers, medical services, City Hall, the Library, local parks and downtown Pflugerville.

“We are thrilled to bring Pickup to Pflugerville,” said Chad Ballentine, Capital Metro’s vice president of demand response and innovative mobility. “The service will provide reliable, accessible and on-demand transit to the community. Pickup is an innovative way to build connections and bridge gaps that naturally occur in any transit network.”

Capital Metro piloted the Pickup service in 2017 and 2018 in Northeast Austin, including the Mueller and Windsor Park neighborhoods, authorities said.

In June 2019, the agency launched service in Manor after which additional zones in Austin and Leander were added.

The Pickup service app was developed in partnership with Via which operates on-demand ridesharing networks in New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C. The company licenses its technology to transportation providers globally, including neighboring cities of Arlington and Fort Worth.

“It’s time to try pickup in Pflugerville,” Mayor Victor Gonzales said. “This one-year pilot project supports the goals of Pflugerville’s Transit Development Plan while providing residents a safe, reliable and efficient transportation option. With the convenience of on-demand transit, I hope that residents can use this to get to work, appointments or connect to the Tech Ridge bus system to access additional routes across the region. I’m excited that it’s now time to give Pickup a try. Give it a ride.”

A one-way ride will cost $1.25 - the same charge as a Single Ride pass used to take MetroBus and MetroRapid services. A Capital Metro Day Pass, 7-Day Pass or 31-Day Pass will cover a Pickup ride as well.

Individuals who are 18 and younger ride free; however, children 10 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.

How does it work?

Customers can download the app from their phone's app store (iOS and Android) by searching for CapMetro Pickup, register for an account and book a trip.

Those without access to the smartphone app may call 512-369-6200.