Capital Area Rural Transportation System

CARTS Introduces new buses to Rural Transit Fleet

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A little ceremony at 5:45 p.m., before the Marble Falls City Council meeting tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 17, will recognize the introduction of new busses to the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS).

CARTS serves 10-county and urban areas, including Burnet County. The new 22-foot Country Bus vehicles have been rolling out to the areas this month.

Colorful high-back red seating, grab bars and a wheel chair life are features to be enjoyed during CARTS passenger trips for up to 35 people a day, and reaching 4,000 from Marble Falls, in the last year. The Country Bus also provides some 3,000 medical transportation trips and 400 more take the Interurban Coach route.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The newly refurbished Marble Falls Depot officially became a station for Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS) on Friday, Jan. 13.

The Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce was host to officials from around the region, as CARTS will be making the depot at 801 US 281 part of it's Interurban Service, linking passengers to Austin and points beyond.

“We were honored with the local interest and support we received from the community, the Chamber, the City of Marble Falls and elected officials at our Depot opening today,” said CARTS General Manager David L. Marsh. “Today is just a start, but from here we can begin our role as a local partner with the community to meet its transportation needs. We look forward to the opportunity.”

The depot will become a regular stop Jan. 17, but the interior will not be open to the public for just a bit yet.

By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
The historic Marble Falls Depot will take its first breath in a life restored as a transportation hub on Friday, Jan 13.
It will reopen with a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting as a station for the Capital Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS).
“We are excited about the privelege and opportunity to use the depot; to have it go back into the purpose it used to serve for people coming and going,” said CARTS General Manager David L. Marsh. “It is such a neat place. I just imagine people coming back from wars, meeting family there. So many things that lobby has seen.”
The depot was constructed in 1893 on land deeded to the city on Avenue N at Second Street by by the Texas Mining and Improvement Company. It began as depot for the Austin and Northwestern Railroad, but was later purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad and served faithfully until 1968.