Since 1970, Capital Transit has provided public transportation for the city of Juneau. Our fixed-route services offer passengers quick, convenient travel between downtown Juneau, the Mendenhall Valley, and the Douglas area. CAPITAL AKcess (previously Care-a-Van) provides comparable service to Capital Transit for individuals whose disabling conditions prevent their use of fixed-route service. Services are provided Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. and Sunday 8:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Our Mission
Capital Transit provides safe, reliable, low-cost transportation to ensure that all citizens have the ability to access and participate in the community. Capital Transit provides a reliable transportation alternative to reduce the presence of automobiles in the community and especially in the Downtown. Capital Transit is a service agency. We are dedicated to providing the best possible transit service to the community. Of primary importance is the satisfaction of the passenger, the respect of other users of the roads, streets and highways, and a positive image of Capital Transit among all citizens of the community.
Funding
Capital Transit operations are funded primarily by general fund revenues from the City and Borough of Juneau and passenger fare revenues. The capital costs of vehicles and facilities are provided by the State of Alaska and the Federal Transit Administration. Only the local match for capital grants (10-20%) is provided by the Capital Transit Budget.
Organizational Success
Transit works in Juneau! In 2006 the Capital Transit fleet became fully accessible with the replacement of the oldest of the buses with New Flyer low-floor vehicles. The Governor’s Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities recognized Capital Transit with the Barrier-Free Design Award for its efforts in making the system accessible not only in vehicles, but the VIP Bus Pass Program and Care-A-Van service were mentioned as creating an exemplary accessible community transportation program. This recognition adds to a list of accolades including the 2003 Alaska Award of Excellence presented by the Alaska Municipal League; “2003 Community Transportation System of the Year” by the Community Transportation Association of America, and; “One of the Ten Best Small Transit Agencies in North America in 1999″ by METRO Magazine. The City and Borough of Juneau provides a greater level of local support for transit service than possibly any other community in the United States according to a report by the Community Transportation Association of America. Capital Transit and CAPITAL AKcess make Juneau one of the most accessible small communities in Alaska and the Nation. In 2010 Express bus service was doubled to every thirty minutes to reduce crowding and improve reliability on Mendenhall Valley service. Completed capital projects include a Downtown and Valley Transit Center, replacement of paratransit vans, transit buses, support equipment, and the recent renovation of the Valley Transit Maintenance Facility.
Highlights
1970 | Service between Juneau and Douglas starts on December 15. | 1999 | Capital Transit named “one of the ten best small transit agencies in North America” by METRO Magazine. |
1975 | Service extended to the Mendenhall Loop Road. | 2000 | Four New Flyer low floor buses begin service. |
1979 | Fares are reduced from 35 cents to 25 cents. | 2001 | Bus service is doubled to ½ hour headways on the Douglas and Mendenhall Valley routes. |
1981 | The Care-A-Van begins service. | 2002 | Capital Transit provides a million annual passenger trips. |
1982 | Express service between Federal Building and the Auke Lake Campus. Fares increase to 50 cents. First bus stop signs are posted. | 2003 | Capital Transit named “Community Transportation System of the Year.” |
1985 | New Transit facility at 10099 Bentwood Place is completed. Five new bus passenger shelters are constructed. Total ridership over a million annual passengers. | 2004 | Fares increase to $1.50. |
1986 | Fare zone ended, all fares are 75 cents, and drivers no longer make change. | 2006 | Capital Transit fleet is fully accessible. The Governor’s Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities recognized Capital Transit with the Barrier-Free Design Award. |
1987 | Downtown Shuttle ends, overall transit service cut by 25%. | 2010 | Service on the Express Route doubled to ½ hour headways. |
1990 | Fares increase to $1.00. | 2011 | Downtown Transportation Center opens. |
1992 | Sunday bus service begins. Fares increase to $1.25. Five new Orions begin service, the first accessible buses in Alaska. | 2012 | Fares increase to $2.00. |
1995 | Capital Transit service is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. | 2021 | Capital Transit’s begins service of it’s first battery-electric bus. |
2022 | Valley Transit Center opens. |