l-r: Riley, Israel, Watson, FTA’s Patrick, and Martinez. Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker

Capital Metro held a dedication service for its new 803 MetroRapid Bus Service on Aug. 25 – even though the new express route, connecting the Domain to Westgate Mall via Burnet Rd., UT, and Downtown, started running the day before. At least the event had warmer weather than when the transit agency launched its first MetroRapid route, the 801, back in January. “I was freezing my biscuits off the last time I was here,” Federal Transit Region 6 Administrator Robert C. Patrick told gathered dignitaries including Cap Metro CEO Linda Watson, state Rep. Celia Israel, and Council Members Mike Mar­tin­ez and Chris Riley, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Cap Metro board.

The new buses are smaller than their bendy bus siblings on the 801 (40 feet rather than 60), but contain all the same mod cons, including wireless Internet and bigger bike racks. More importantly for riders, the new service will not displace the No. 3 bus, which follows basically the same route, or affect the No. 5, which shares stops by the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center at 48th and North Lamar.

This article appears in August 29 • 2014.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.