Capital Metro board approves June 2026 service changes, citing Title VI review
March 23, 2026 | Austin, Travis County, Texas
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The Capital Metro Board of Directors voted unanimously March 23 to authorize president and CEO Dottie Watkins (or her designee) to implement a package of June 2026 service changes that staff said will expand frequency and create two new park-and-ride hubs.
Jordan McGee, a planning department presenter, said the package implements components of Transit Plan 2035 and Project Connect, bringing Rapid 800 (Pleasant Valley) and Rapid 837 (Expo Center) to full 10‑minute peak frequencies and opening the Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center park‑and‑ride facilities. “This service change was developed in close collaboration with the City of Austin, Travis County, the community, and our partners,” McGee said, adding that the proposals realign several local routes to improve transfers and connectivity and slightly extend the MetroAccess boundary where park‑and‑ride service reaches new areas.
McGee told the board staff conducted a Title VI service‑equity analysis using census data and found “no disparate impacts or no disproportionate findings,” meaning the planned changes do not disproportionately affect minority or low‑income populations, according to the presentation.
During public comment, Zenobia Joseph urged the board to reconsider aspects of the package on equity grounds. “My comments, as they always are, are in the context of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” Joseph said, and raised concerns about lost northeast-of‑US‑183 connectivity and the removal of amenities on lower‑ridership routes. Staff offered to follow up with Joseph on specifics and to provide process information for small cities and representatives.
A motion to approve the resolution was moved by Council Member Veil and seconded by Board Member Harris; the board approved the measure by voice vote and the chair declared the result unanimous. If implemented as presented, staff said the changes would be promoted to the public this spring and service changes would begin in June 2026, including a planned ramp-up to the new frequencies and community outreach and marketing around the new park‑and‑ride facilities.
Board members and staff said service monitoring will continue after launch, with adjustments made as ridership and operational data dictate.
Jordan McGee, a planning department presenter, said the package implements components of Transit Plan 2035 and Project Connect, bringing Rapid 800 (Pleasant Valley) and Rapid 837 (Expo Center) to full 10‑minute peak frequencies and opening the Goodnight Ranch and Expo Center park‑and‑ride facilities. “This service change was developed in close collaboration with the City of Austin, Travis County, the community, and our partners,” McGee said, adding that the proposals realign several local routes to improve transfers and connectivity and slightly extend the MetroAccess boundary where park‑and‑ride service reaches new areas.
McGee told the board staff conducted a Title VI service‑equity analysis using census data and found “no disparate impacts or no disproportionate findings,” meaning the planned changes do not disproportionately affect minority or low‑income populations, according to the presentation.
During public comment, Zenobia Joseph urged the board to reconsider aspects of the package on equity grounds. “My comments, as they always are, are in the context of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” Joseph said, and raised concerns about lost northeast-of‑US‑183 connectivity and the removal of amenities on lower‑ridership routes. Staff offered to follow up with Joseph on specifics and to provide process information for small cities and representatives.
A motion to approve the resolution was moved by Council Member Veil and seconded by Board Member Harris; the board approved the measure by voice vote and the chair declared the result unanimous. If implemented as presented, staff said the changes would be promoted to the public this spring and service changes would begin in June 2026, including a planned ramp-up to the new frequencies and community outreach and marketing around the new park‑and‑ride facilities.
Board members and staff said service monitoring will continue after launch, with adjustments made as ridership and operational data dictate.
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