ATX-BAS: Impact 9/17/2025

Ridership through the Capital Area Rural Transportation System is expected to continue to grow following the launch of its new all-in-one Transit App, according to officials.

The details: Riders can access a variety of services from a single platform, including:

• CARTSNow
• Interurban Coach
• Metro Connector
• Country Bus

From Bastrop County officials discussing opposition to an Aquifer Storage and Recovery project to Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino delivering a State of the City address, here's the latest government-related news impacting Bastrop County.

Bastrop Chamber of Commerce hosts State of the City
Hundreds filed into the Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center on Sept. 8 for the State of the City dinner—an event where City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino had the opportunity to discuss key milestones and future goals for the community.

Commissioners talk ASR opposition
Bastrop County officials will continue to discuss a potential resolution stating commissioners' opposition to Austin's planned Aquifer Storage and Recovery project at a future meeting after tabling the item Sept. 8.

New dates for Bastrop council
Bastrop City Council will soon operate under a new schedule after amending its rules of procedures during a meeting Aug. 26—a change made after House Bill 1522 took effect Sept. 1.

In August, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport announced a series of new destinations and nonstop flights beginning this fall to locations both nationally and around the globe.

International

• Amsterdam, Netherlands: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
• Calgary, Alberta: WestJet
• Cancún, Mexico: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines
• Frankfurt, Germany: Lufthansa
• London, United Kingdom: British Airways
• and more

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida: JetBlue Airways, new service starts Nov. 20
• Fort Myers, Florida: Southwest Airlines, new nonstop service starts March 2026
• San Diego, California: Alaska Airlines, increased frequency starts Jan. 7
• San Francisco, California: Southwest Airlines, new service started Aug. 5
• and more

CollegePros co-owners Kate Trent and Kim Heffernan assist dozens of Central Texas high school students in determining their next steps after graduation each school year.

The overview: Trent and Heffernan, who were formerly educators in the Austin area, started CollegePros in 2023 to provide a range of supportive services for students in selecting a career path, successfully finding and applying to colleges as well as receiving financial aid.

Why it matters: The Central Texas-based business helps alleviate pressure for families who may not have the time or resources to navigate the increasingly complicated college application process, Trent said.

Learn more: Community Impact spoke with Trent about what students need to know as they prepare for graduation and beyond.