Latest news with #CapMetro
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Austin, Texas, tests autonomous transit bus
This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority of Austin, Texas, conducted a demonstration in May of the first automated 40-foot electric transit bus in North America. The retrofitted bus successfully maneuvered through the authority's North Operations and Maintenance Facility, reacting appropriately to unexpected obstacles, according to engineering services company WSP. WSP conducted the demonstration to evaluate the operational benefits of autonomous buses, such as more effective use of bus yard capacity. Automated bus depot operations could help cut costs for zero-emission fleets, WSP said. CapMetro had planned to fully electrify its transit bus fleet by 2035, but it has encountered setbacks including the bankruptcy of one of its bus suppliers, reliability and range issues and charging capacity at its main bus depot. Automated bus depot operations could help cut costs for zero-emission fleets, WSP said. The technology could increase existing bus yard capacity up to 90% while also improving safety for drivers, mechanics and other workers, according to a WSP news release. The demonstration bus meets SAE Level 4 driving automation standards, which do not require a human driver but are limited to specific service areas. During the demonstration, the bus had to park with great precision. 'The most complex maneuver sent the autonomous bus to drive and park underneath an overhead pantograph charging dispenser – within just five to seven centimeters of accuracy – and initiate a charging session, all without anyone behind the steering wheel,' Severin Skolrud, vice president, critical and emerging technology, national transit and rail at WSP in the U.S., said in a statement. Possible next steps for the CapMetro program include adding three battery-electric buses to the system on a multiyear deployment, according to WSP. New automated dispatch software could remotely start and precondition the buses and send them to a designated area where operators could perform their pre-trip inspections. Similar projects and studies are underway in Europe. One project in Sweden with software engineering firm Unikie and Nordic public transportation company Nobina will look into the impacts of automated bus depots on work organization and safety routines. Volvo Buses also is developing and testing autonomous technology; it says it sees bus depots as providing the most initial potential for automation. Recommended Reading Public transit ridership hits post-pandemic high: APTA report Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
CapMetro bus drivers scared to go to work after recent deadly stabbing; call for change
The Brief CapMetro bus drivers say they are scared to go to work amid recent deadly stabbing on a bus Bus drivers are now calling on CapMetro to make changes Transit Police Department officers will start patrolling next month AUSTIN, Texas - CapMetro bus drivers are afraid to go to work. They are calling on the transit agency to make changes. They said many have been assaulted and robbed on the job. This comes after a passenger was stabbed to death on a bus just last week. The backstory Police said on May 14, around 6:45 p.m., officers and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call in the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard. The caller said someone had been stabbed on a CapMetro bus. When officers arrived, they found a victim, later identified as Akshay Gupta, with trauma to his body. He later died from his injuries. The investigation showed the suspect, 31-year-old Deepak Kandel, was sitting next to Gupta on the bus when, without provocation, Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck. Once the bus stopped, Kandel left the bus with other passengers. Police were able to find Kandel shortly after and arrest him. He admitted to stabbing Gupta because he said Gupta looked like his uncle. Kandel was booked into the Travis County Jail and was charged with murder. What they're saying Bus operators said things happen all the time. "I would say, since COVID, I don't know what's in the water, but it's pretty bad out there. You got a lot of mentally ill people or people that are a little off, and they're riding our buses, and our operators who should be focusing on the safety of operating their buses got to be counselors, got to be therapists," Austin Amalgamated Transit Union President Brent Payne said. "I had an unhoused gentleman come up and try assaulting, try choking me," a CapMetro bus operator told the transit agency's board. "None of us should ever have to come to work in fight or flight mode or survival mode and stressed out wondering if we'll even make it home at the end of our shifts," a 6-year CapMetro bus operator said. "We've had operators quit, saying, I'm not getting paid enough to deal with this kind of temperament," Payne said. Bus operators said they can't necessarily protect themselves. "We're not allowed to carry weapons or pepper spray," Payne said. They said no one else is there to protect them either. "We have been waiting for years for the Metro Police Department. Are they ready for the call to duty?" a bus operator said to the board. The backstory The CapMetro Transit Police Department swore in its first three officers, including Chief Robins, back in August 2024. "Since that time, we have been really doing quite a bit of getting ourselves prepared to deploy officers, specifically putting together policies, procedures, obviously hiring, recruiting, hiring, and doing those types of things, but there's quite a bit of work that goes on in the background when you establish in a police department specifically for the first time," CapMetro Police Chief Eric Robins said. Chief Robins said they have hired an additional nine officers and two sergeants with hopes to have a total of 24 officers by fiscal year 2026. "We're in a competitive market when it comes to law enforcement and hiring officers, but we want to make sure that those officers are the officers that are going to be people-centric, focus on what our missions and our goals and our values are, and working in our system to, obviously, do everything we can to de-escalate situations and to keep our system safe," Chief Robins said. The CapMetro police chief said they plan to start patrolling June 16. The other side "I don't see them being fully staffed for another year or two. At this pace, it's not going to happen any time soon," Payne said. Payne said the direct impact of that is: "Now you're forcing everyday bargaining employee people to be their own security, unfortunately," Payne said. Payne said even if another law enforcement agency responds and someone is arrested, "you can do something to a bus operator and be out that same day, which is one of the problems I struggle with right now." "And they could be back on the bus?" FOX 7 Crime Watch Reporter Meredith Aldis asked Payne. "Back on the bus before you get off your shift," Payne responded. Payne is pushing for House Bill 689 which increases the criminal penalty for certain offenses committed in a vehicle operated by a public transportation system. It still needs a vote from the House and Senate. "We're just people who are trying to go home to our families," Payne said. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
Indian stabs another Indian to death in Texas bus
In a shocking incident in Austin, Texas, an -origin entrepreneur was fatally stabbed by a fellow Indian passenger aboard a CapMetro bus. The victim, identified as Akshay Gupta, was 30 years old and reportedly had no prior interaction with the assailant. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The attacker, Deepak Kandel, 31, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder. The incident occurred on May 14, 2025, around 6:45 p.m. According to the Austin Police Department, Gupta was stabbed in the neck without warning during the bus ride in South Austin. Kandel had been sitting next to Gupta on the bus when he stabbed Gupta in his neck. Police officers and emergency medical services responded to a "Shoot/Stab" call of someone being stabbed on a bus in the evening. "Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck without provocation," according to police. Emergency responders administered life-saving measures on Gupta, but he was pronounced dead at 7:30 p.m., according to a report by the KXAN network. Kandel, who is reported to be homeless, was detained by police shortly after the incident. Authorities have not disclosed a clear motive for the attack, and investigations are ongoing. The case has raised concerns about safety on public transportation and the need for increased security measures. Austin Police identified Deepak Kandel by reviewing CCTV footage from the bus. The footage revealed that after the bus made an emergency stop, Kandel calmly exited the vehicle with other passengers and left the scene on foot. Austin Police Department patrol officers located and detained him shortly thereafter. "Kandel was found less than a mile from where the bus pulled over," according to an arrest affidavit. He reportedly told police that he stabbed Gupta because he looked like his uncle. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gupta's family and friends have expressed shock and grief over the loss. They described him as a talented and hardworking individual who had recently relocated to the US to pursue career opportunities in the tech industry. A memorial service is planned in Austin to honor his memory. The Austin community has rallied in support of Gupta's family, with local organizations offering assistance and condolences. The incident has also prompted discussions about mental health services and support for homeless individuals in the area.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest, charge man with murder after stabbing fellow passenger on CapMetro bus
Austin police have arrested a man accused of stabbing a fellow CapMetro bus passenger in the neck and killing him Wednesday. APD and Austin-Travis County EMS received a call at 6:45 p.m. from a witness who said a man was stabbed while riding the bus. When police arrived at the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard, authorities located Akshay Gupta, 30, with trauma to his neck, according to police. Despite life-saving efforts, Gupta died on the scene at 7:30 p.m. Police say witnesses told detectives the suspect, Deepak Kandel, 31, was sitting next to the victim when the suspect stabbed the victim in the neck without provocation. Once the bus was stopped, witnesses said Kandel calmly exited the bus with the other passengers and walked away from the scene, according to police. Authorities said they were able to arrest Kandel shortly thereafter. According to police, Kandel admitted to stabbing Gupta because he resembled his uncle. Kandel has been charged with first degree murder and remains in Travis County Jail. CapMetro has asked anyone needing to retrieve personal items left on the bus as a result of the incident should contact customer service at (512) 474-1200 for have asked anyone with information to contact APD at (512) 974-TIPS or by visiting or calling (512) 472-8477. This case is being investigated as Austin's 25th homicide of 2025. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man arrested, charged with murder of fellow Austin bus passenger
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with murder for stabbing victim to death on CapMetro bus
The Brief A man was arrested and charged with murder for stabbing another man to death on May 14 APD said the man admitted to stabbing the victim because he said the victim looked like his uncle The man was charged with murder AUSTIN, Texas - A man was arrested and charged with murder for stabbing another man to death on a CapMetro bus on Wednesday night. The backstory Police said on May 14, around 6:45 p.m., officers and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to a shoot/stab hotshot call in the 500 block of South Lamar Boulevard. The caller said someone had been stabbed on a CapMetro bus. When officers arrived, they found a victim, later identified as Akshay Gupta, with trauma to his body. He later died from his injuries. The investigation showed the suspect, 31-year-old Deepak Kandel, was sitting next to Gupta on the bus when, without provocation, Kandel stabbed Gupta in the neck. Once the bus stopped, Kandel left the bus with other passengers. Police were able to find Kandel shortly after and arrest him. He admitted to stabbing Gupta because he said Gupta looked like his uncle. Kandel was booked into the Travis County Jail and was charged with murder. What you can do If anyone needs to get their personal belongings that were left on the CapMetro bus, contact CapMetro customer service at 512-474-1200 for instructions. Anyone with information should contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest. Local perspective Anthony Vazquez is the owner of Dooby's Smoking Depot, which is near the bus stop. "A gentleman just opened the door and started screaming for help. He was covered in blood, all on his arms, had it all over his shirt, and all he said was, 'I need help, someone's been stabbed on the bus, please call the cops,'" he said. Within minutes, a swarm of first responders showed up. "The biggest thing for me was definitely empathy and feeling remorse for all those people," Vazquez said. CapMetro says they continually evaluate their safety measures. "It was horrific, and it should not have happened. We are doing everything possible to support the passengers who were on board and our bus operator who acted with utmost professionalism during incredibly difficult circumstances," Dottie Watkins, president and CEO of CapMetro, said. "Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe on CapMetro system, and I'm personally committed to ensuring that they are." "We definitely come to work nervous already. Now we're more nervous and a little bit better prepared," Vazquez said. He says this incident is another reminder to always be careful. "We already get to deal with tons of mental health issues, tons of drug addicts, tons of issues as it is," he said. "It does definitely shed light on just the growing increase in violence in Austin as a whole and that everybody legitimately needs to be fully aware of their surroundings." The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen
