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Lockhart council hears CARTS request, station feasibility and ridership gains
Summary
Representatives of Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) briefed Lockhart City Council on expanded on‑demand service, rising ridership and preliminary feasibility work for a dedicated transit station; CARTS has requested $40,000 in the city’s FY25‑26 budget for local services.
Lockhart City Council heard a presentation from the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) on July 15 as the agency requested $40,000 in city funding for its FY2025‑26 local service in Lockhart.
CARTS Community Engagement Director Dana Platt said the agency has added a third vehicle to Lockhart’s on‑demand zone and that bookings through the mobile app now account for about 75% of trips. “Since we added a vehicle, we've seen almost a 26.7 percent increase in usage and reliability,” Platt said. She told council the system’s current on‑time arrival averaged about 13.4 minutes across zones.
The presentation covered CARTS’ suite of services that serve Lockhart: an app‑based on‑demand microtransit within city limits (CARTS NOW), county on‑demand service for rural riders, an interurban fixed‑route coach between Luling and Austin with VA and regional connections, and programs offering free rides for veterans and for seniors traveling with a personal care attendant.
Dave Marsh, CARTS general manager, described preliminary work on a possible Lockhart transit station. He said the agency and a TxDOT‑provided consultant examined more than 20 sites and narrowed the options to two downtown locations, identifying the Episcopal Church property as a preferred site because “there’s nothing on it” and no demolition would be required. Marsh estimated a station structure would cost “about $2,000,000” and said the agency will apply for grant funds for feasibility, design and later construction if the city endorses a site.
Council members asked about senior riders who report long waits despite CARTS’ average wait metric. Platt acknowledged that individual experiences can vary — for example during peak periods or when a vehicle is out of service — and reiterated the agency added vehicles in March to reduce wait times. She also noted the county on‑demand service will allow same‑day and two‑week advance booking beginning next month, though wait windows will be longer across rural service areas.
CARTS also outlined near‑term technology changes: all country bus routes will be added to a transit trip‑planning app next month to allow trip planning and payment in one place. The agency asked that Lockhart consider the $40,000 request during its upcoming budget process.
The matter was presented for budget consideration; council did not take a final vote on the CARTS funding request at the July 15 meeting.
