Kyle Transportation Program Rolls Out March 15

Under the direction of Kyle City Council, staff developed a pilot program offering transportation to the Kyle community. This was in response to phasing out twice-a-week demand bus service provided by the Capital Area Rural Transit Service (CARTS) through a contract with Capital Area Metropolitan Transportation Service, or Capital Metro, in Austin.

The new pilot program will begin March 15. Under the terms of the agreement, Buda & Kyle Taxi will provide service two days a week to anyone in the Kyle community who is in need of transportation to doctor appointments, shopping, beauty salon trips and other common errands. The service is not intended to be for commuters to get to work.

Buda & Kyle Taxi is currently the only company with a franchise agreement allowing the firm to operate within Kyle’s city limits. Kyle Chief of Staff Jerry Hendrix said one other firm has expressed interest in an agreement but has not yet filed the appropriate paperwork.

While the transportation service was originally intended to assist the elderly and disabled, Hendrix said anyone who resides in the city limits can utilize the program for rides to locations that qualify for service as mentioned above. The vehicles utilized will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Hendrix said riders will pay a small fee to utilize the service. A one-way ride within Kyle will cost $3, or $6 round trip.

The service will also take riders to Southpark Meadows in Austin and to downtown San Marcos where they can connect with transit services in those locations. Rides to Austin and San Marcos will cost $6 and $5 each way, respectively.

Hendrix, who was tasked with developing the program to bring to council, said Buda & Kyle Taxi will keep detailed records on passenger numbers, addresses of drop-offs and more. The program as approved by city council would have funding for an amount not to exceed $50,000. Hendrix said the city will reimburse Buda & Kyle Taxi $25 per hour for the service.

Below are additional details of the service:

• The service through Buda & Kyle Taxi will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Kyle residents can contact Buda & Kyle Taxi one day in advance to reserve a seat.
• The driver will pick riders up at their home address in the morning and will return them to that same address in the afternoon.
• Riders can pay the driver in cash or they can use a credit card.
• The phone number for Buda & Kyle Taxi is 512-902-2272.

Learn more about the program at http://www.cityofkyle.com/communications/kyle-transportation-pilot-program.