SUBJECT:
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Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or her designee, to apply for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2028-2031 Call for Projects, submitting both CapMetro’s Bus Stop Street Furniture and Equipment Program and Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program for CAMPO consideration, and committing to providing local match funding from CapMetro should the projects be selected.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no cost to submit the projects to CAMPO’s call for projects. Both projects are included in CapMetro’s approved budget and 5-year Capital Improvement Plans, and, if selected by CAMPO to be awarded grant funding, grant funding would be matched by CapMetro CIP funds as described below.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal Alignment:
☒ 1. Customer ☒ 2. Community
☐ 3. Workforce ☒ 4. Organizational Effectiveness
EXPLANATION OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT:
CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture & Equipment Program
The Bus Stop Street Furniture and Equipment Program aims to organize and install high-quality street furniture that meets service standards and enhances operations and maintenance. This grant application advances CapMetro’s Strategic Priority of delivering a convenient, desirable, and accessible mobility option for the region and its communities. It addresses key requirements, challenges, and benefits of public transportation as an essential component of the regional transportation system, reinforcing the agency’s role, presence, and goodwill. The agency’s mission is to empower, enhance, and serve the region through the responsible delivery of high-quality public transportation. At the core of this mission is providing reliable transit services and ensuring a positive customer experience.
Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program
The strategic alignment for procuring new hybrid buses directly supports CapMetro's overarching goals by addressing the aging fleet and reliability issues that hinder service quality and accessibility. This investment in new hybrid buses for fixed-route service ensures safe and reliable transportation by proactively replacing our aging fleet with updated assets backed by long-term manufacturer warranties, significantly improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, the selection of hybrid technology demonstrates our commitment to sustainability by providing fuel savings and reducing transportation emissions and environmental impact. This strategically sound procurement builds a resilient and modern transit system.
BUSINESS CASE:
CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture & Equipment Program
This initiative will enhance customer experience by providing shelters for protection from the elements, solar lighting for improved visibility and safety, seating areas, wheelchair-accessible spaces, and upgraded sidewalks and concrete pads to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. Through the CapMetro ADA Transition Plan, the agency conducted a comprehensive evaluation of all its facilities (passenger areas, operational sites, and administrative offices) to identify gaps in accessibility. This program addresses federal and state requirements for ADA compliance, ensuring that transit stops, sidewalks, and related infrastructure are accessible to individuals with mobility, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.
Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program
The procurement of hybrid buses advances CapMetro’s sustainability goals by reducing emissions and fuel consumption while modernizing the aging fleet. This investment improves operational efficiency, lowers maintenance costs through long-term warranties, and enhances rider experience with quieter, ADA-compliant vehicles. These upgrades ensure reliable service today and support future expansion plans.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: This item was presented and recommended for approval by the Finance, Audit and Administration Committee Meeting on January 14, 2026, and will be considered by the full board at a special board meeting on February 11, 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Staff requests the Board of Directors’ approval of a resolution supporting Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (CapMetro) application to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2028-2031 Call for Projects. CAMPO issued the call on October 10, 2025, inviting communities to apply for funding through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) programs. The CAMPO call is looking for projects that demonstrate regional benefit, readiness, and eligibility, including roadways, transit, active transportation, multimodal improvements, safety enhancements, and other eligible transportation activities consistent with CAMPO’s project selection criteria.
CapMetro has verified that the two identified CapMetro projects are appropriate for consideration in this call. If awarded, CapMetro commits to providing a local match of 20 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $1,623,209 for the CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture and Equipment Program and $5,400,000 for the Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program, and will enter into a grant agreement with CAMPO regarding the award.
1. CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture & Equipment Program
This initiative will enhance transit stops by improving design, safety, and accessibility to accommodate Austin’s climate and growing ridership needs, and elevating service standards. Benefits include improved pedestrian circulation, ADA compliance, and a better rider experience, particularly for individuals with mobility, sensory, and cognitive disabilities.
CAMPO funds require a local match comprised of cash or Transportation Development Credits (TDCs), if eligible. CapMetro would be responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and 100% of overruns, if any, for CAMPO funds. The application seeks funding for the installation of 120 bus stop amenities, and the construction of 76 ADA-priority transit stops to improve accessibility and safety, based on recommendations from CapMetro’s ADA Transit Plan audit.
CapMetro supports this project as described in the 2028-2031 CAMPO Call for Projects Application. The scope includes hiring a contractor for the fabrication and delivery of street furniture, installation, preliminary engineering (if required), construction, oversight costs, and required local match. CapMetro commits to the full lifecycle of the project development, implementation, installation, construction, maintenance, management, and financing, and is prepared to enter into an agreement with the department by resolution or ordinance should the project be selected for funding. Funding for this action is available in the FY2026 Capital Budget.
2. Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program
This investment replaces aging vehicles, improving reliability, lowering maintenance costs, reducing carbon emissions from our bus fleet, and enhancing operational efficiency. The selection of hybrid technology supports sustainability goals by cutting carbon output and environmental impact, while ensuring ADA compliance and a better rider experience. These upgrades position CapMetro for future service expansion and a resilient, modern transit system. Funding for this action is available in the FY2029 Capital Budget.
SBE PARTICIPATION: Does not apply.
PROCUREMENT: Does not apply.
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Capital Construction, Engineering & Design (CCED)
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RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2025-1706
WHEREAS, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) seeks funding for the CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture and Equipment Program and the Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program to install 120 ADA-compliant bus stop amenities, construct 76 ADA-priority transit stops, and purchase 18 diesel-electric hybrid buses to replace retiring diesel buses that have reached the end of their planned service life; and
WHEREAS, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) issued a call for projects on October 10, 2025, for communities to apply for funding assistance through the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) programs; and
WHEREAS, if obtained, the CAMPO funds may be used to hire contractors for the fabrication, delivery, and installation of street furniture; to develop preliminary engineering documents (including plans, specifications, estimates, and environmental documentation); to construct pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; and to procure hybrid buses that support CapMetro’s goals of modernizing its fleet, improving service reliability and accessibility, and reducing the region’s carbon footprint; and
WHEREAS, the CAMPO funds require a local match, comprised of cash or Transportation Development Credits (TDCs), if eligible, and CapMetro would be responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and 100% of overruns, if any, for CAMPO funds; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the CapMetro Board of Directors that the CapMetro President and CEO, or her designee, is authorized to submit an application for the 2028-2031 CAMPO Call for Projects for the CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture and Equipment Program and the Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if awarded, CapMetro commits to providing a local match of 20 percent of the total project cost, not to exceed $1,623,209 for the CapMetro Bus Stop Street Furniture and Equipment Program and $5,400,000 for the Hybrid Bus Fleet Upgrade Program.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Becki Ross