Hello Transit Partners,
Having started my journey as a bus driver with CapMetro more than 30 years ago, I’ve had a front-row seat to Austin’s incredible transformation. I’ve seen neighborhoods change, tech companies flourish, and countless people build their lives here—all while our transit system worked to keep pace with this remarkable growth. Today, I’m excited to share how our approach to rapid transit has evolved over the past decade and the impact our newest lines will have on Austin’s future.
Our New Rapid Lines Are Now Operational!
I’m thrilled to announce that our two new Rapid lines are operational: the Pleasant Valley Line and the Expo Center Line. This isn’t just another service expansion—these rapid transit lines represent a significant leap forward for our city’s mobility.
The Pleasant Valley Line now connects the vibrant Mueller neighborhood (which has grown its population by over 30% since 2015) to the blossoming Goodnight Ranch community. This corridor has seen some of Austin’s most dynamic development in recent years.
The Expo Center Line will create a vital link between East Austin and Downtown—two areas that desperately need better connections. Residents along this corridor previously had some of the longest commuting times in our community. Our new line aims to cut this time significantly, giving our riders more time to do the things that are important to them.
How Our Thinking Has Changed
When we launched our first rapid lines 11 years ago (Routes 801 and 803), we placed them in areas with established fixed route service—one replaced an existing limited stop service, while another overlapped with local service routes. Today, our approach has evolved significantly.
Our new lines reflect a more forward-looking strategy. We’re now introducing rapid service to areas showing initial growth potential, anticipating future development rather than simply responding to existing demand.
Stronger Partnerships and Better Connections
Our approach now features unprecedented coordination with stakeholders like the City of Austin and Travis County, resulting in strategically placed stations that integrate with pedestrian and bike infrastructure. We’ve also had a major advancement in our approach to first and last mile connections through dedicated pickup services that complement our rapid routes: Decker Pickup serves the Expo Center Line, while Dove Springs Pickup connects with the Pleasant Valley route. This comprehensive approach makes transit accessible to more community members—addressing gaps in our previous model through multi-agency collaboration.
Expanding Service
Unlike our original rapid lines that primarily served downtown and university areas, our new system creates true crosstown service in eastern Austin with vital connections along Pleasant Valley, Oltorf, and Manor Road. These routes overlap with existing high-frequency service while introducing phased transition to all electric buses, rebuilt garages, dedicated park and rides with EV infrastructure, and integration with current and planned development—all significantly improving mobility in traditionally underserved areas.
Economic Impact for Austin
These transit improvements have real economic implications for our city. When I speak with employers across Austin, they consistently mention one thing: their employees need reliable ways to get to work. A 2023 survey by the Austin Chamber of Commerce found that 68% of local businesses identified employee transportation challenges as a significant barrier to growth.
The Federal Transit Administration has found that every $1 billion invested in public transportation supports approximately 50,000 jobs. Our Project Connect initiative represents one of the largest transit investments in Texas history.
East Austin has an unemployment rate nearly twice the city average. A study by UT researchers found that improved transit access increased job accessibility for low-income residents by 5-10%, with corresponding reductions in unemployment in underserved communities by up to 7%¹.
Looking Forward
As we look ahead, the numbers are eye-opening: Austin’s population is projected to double by 2040. We’re currently adding about 184 people per day to our metro area. Without major transit investments, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute projects that average commute times could increase by 33% in the next decade.
The federal government recognized the critical importance of our work by investing over $65 million in these rapid lines. That’s not just a funding source—it’s a vote of confidence in Austin’s approach to sustainable growth.
These new rapid lines represent more than just improved transit—they showcase CapMetro’s growing technical expertise and capabilities. By successfully delivering increasingly complex projects, we’re building the experience and rapport necessary for future initiatives, ultimately leading towards additional light rail lines and other advanced transit solutions.
I invite you to experience these new rapid lines firsthand and see how they’re changing Austin’s transit landscape. They represent our commitment to creating a more connected, accessible, and prosperous city for everyone
¹ Bhat, Chandra, and Kara Kockelman. The Impact of Public Transit on Employment and Economic Development. Texas Department of Transportation, 2016.
Advocating for CapMetro
After local sales tax, CapMetro’s second-largest source of revenue comes from federal funds, so we are regularly engaged with federal policy makers and regulators in DC. Last week, as a proud board member of The Bus Coalition, I joined a group of fellow transit executives from across the country for a Washington DC fly-in to engage with transit funding officials and policy leaders in our nation’s capital.
On behalf of CapMetro, I also checked in with many of Central Texas’ congressional delegation leaders to champion increased bus funding levels, revenue sources, and to share updates on CapMetro’s progress with our existing federal grant awards and the introduction of new service.
I also had the opportunity to meet with our partners at the Build America Bureau as well as connect with new staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary and the Federal Transit Administration’s Governmental and Legislative Affairs Office. I look forward to furthering CapMetro’s relationships with our federal partners in service to our mission.
