Austin Witnesses Preparation for Launch of Two New Rapid Bus Lines in Spring 2025 by CapMetro

Austin – CapMetro, Austin’s public transportation provider, is preparing to launch two new rapid bus lines for Austin transit users by Spring 2025. These additions fall under the ambitious Project Connect mass transit expansion program, marking another step towards its completion.

The New MetroRapid Lines – Pleasant Valley and Expo Center

The Pleasant Valley and Expo Center MetroRapid Lines are in the pipeline, which will expand the city’s public transit network significantly. The Pleasant Valley line will connect Goodnight Ranch to Barbara Jordan, encompassing key destinations like the Mueller neighborhood, the Springdale Shopping Center, Austin Community College’s Eastview campus, Austin Lighthouse for the Blind, Dove Springs, and Easton Park. Connecting points for linking these locations to the upcoming light rail system and the future Green Line commuter rail are also proposed in the plan.

On the other hand, the Expo Center line will stretch from Republic Square in downtown Austin to the Travis County Expo Center. It will offer connections to educational and employment hubs along the route, linking with existing MetroRapid 801 and 803 lines and the Red Line at Brush Square and the Downtown Station. Moreover, it will seamlessly integrate with the upcoming light rail system.

Transitioning to Zero-emission Vehicles

Initially, CapMetro will employ diesel vehicles on these two new lines. However, as part of their commitment towards a more sustainable commuting solution, they aim to gradually shift to zero-emission vehicles. In the interim, existing electric buses will serve the lines until the entire service transitions to zero-emission vehicles.

Funding and Preparation for the Expansion

The upcoming launch, witnessing a great deal of federal involvement, brings to fruition a project that has been years in the making. A distinct contribution has been the $65 million Small Starts grant from the Federal Transit Administration, which has significantly alleviated the financial burden of this massive expansion.

CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins stresses the importance of designing each stop on these MetroRapid lines as a mini multi-modal hub. Such a design will accommodate multiple transit users and include cycling infrastructure for added accessibility. The larger stations that this design necessitates has been made possible by the crucial support from the FTA grant, according to Watkins.

Looking Ahead: Unveiling and Frequency of Services

Once launched, the MetroRapid 800 Pleasant Valley and the MetroRapid 837 Expo Center lines will operate with a 20-minute frequency during most of the day and a 30-minute frequency in the late evening hours.

Launch and Testing of Services

Before the services officially open to the public, a testing period will ensure the optimal functioning of all elements, including schedules and routes. CapMetro is committed to making these new routes as beneficial as possible for Austin’s transit users, and aims to announce more concrete launch details in the upcoming months as Spring 2025 nears.

Project Connect: A Comprehensive Transit Solution

The new MetroRapid lines represent an essential segment of Project Connect’s mass transit program. As Watkins explains, while light rail forms the ‘spine’ of this network, the ‘limbs’ comprise higher capacity, higher frequency bus services along other corridors. This cohesive system, combining bus, rail, and light rail, is designed to maximize accessibility for all transit riders in Austin; bringing the city one step closer to a truly interconnected, efficient, and sustainable public transportation ecosystem.

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