Capital Metro appears to be shifting its focus from providing mobility to those without automobiles to attracting people who have automobiles as an alternative for travel. This is an expensive and risky strategy and could negatively impact lower income and minority residents, through higher fares and reduced bus service levels. If cost overruns occur, as in other urban areas, much of the proposed system may not be built or bus service could be reduced to subsidize cost overruns and the fare could be increased which would reduce ridership. As longer term light rail plans have developed in the United States, costs have risen above projections and promised routes have been canceled. This is also a risk in Austin.
Promises being made to the citizens of Austin appear to be no different.