SUBJECT:
title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or her designee, to implement the January 2026 Service Changes.
end
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this action is available in the FY2026 Operating Budget.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal Alignment:
☒ 1. Customer ☐ 2. Community
☐ 3. Workforce ☐ 4. Organizational Effectiveness
EXPLANATION OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT:
The service change process is guided by and in accordance with CapMetro’s Board-approved Service Standards and Guidelines.
BUSINESS CASE:
Service changes provide CapMetro with the opportunity to adjust services to meet the needs of customers and efficiently use our resources. Service changes occur up to three times a year typically in January, June, and August to coincide with local school and university calendars. In the interim months, between service change implementations, CapMetro continuously seeks and invites year-round feedback from the community.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The item was presented and recommended for approval by the Operations, Planning and Safety Committee on September 10, 2025.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The following is a high-level summary of the proposed service changes for January 2026. Future service changes could include more substantial adjustments as we progress the development of our long-range plan update, Transit Plan 2035, and the full vision of Rapid 800 Pleasant Valley and 837 Expo Center.
• Realignment of Route 485 Night Owl Cameron - The proposed realignment would enable late-night connections to the dense active nightlife on East 6th, transfers to Greyhound Bus service (at Eastside Bus Plaza) that occur before dawn, and improved connectivity within Mueller. These areas show high propensity for late-night ridership, and community feedback has demonstrated strong interest in late-night service near the eastside entertainment district and additional portions of Airport Boulevard. Additionally, the stops that would no longer be served have minimal ridership (0-1 average daily customers).
• Realignment of Route 935 Tech Ridge Express - The proposed realignment would shift non-stop service from IH-35 to MoPac to proactively respond to ongoing construction and traffic impacts, as well as remove an unproductive segment along Riverside Drive. Previously, this segment served the TxDOT Riverside campus; however, these offices have closed with staff relocating to other locations. The travel-time savings aim to assist with transportation demand management and reduce emissions and congestion associated with IH-35 construction. This proposed change was developed in collaboration with the City of Austin and other key stakeholders as part of an implementation item under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG).
• Pickup Zone Adjustments - In coordination with regional member cities, proposed expansions in Lago Vista and Manor Pickup zones will expand boundaries minimally to increase access and improve customer experience without impacting resources. Due to the operational flexibility with Pickup, this adjustment would be implemented in a timely manner (subsequently after Board approval, as described below). These proposed adjustments were developed in collaboration with member city stakeholders and informed by community and customer feedback.
• Minor Bus and Rail Schedule Adjustments - To improve on-time performance, reliability and better serve customers, select routes may receive minor adjustments to their schedules and/or bus stop locations. Specific schedule adjustments are determined further in the service changes process to more accurately respond to evolving traffic conditions and construction in the region. This timing makes sure the schedule best serves customers and more closely reflects available resources. Once available, additional details on the proposed minor schedule adjustments will be available on our webpage and in the subsequent memo.
Under CapMetro's policy, which aligns with the FTA circular, these changes are not a major service change and thus do not require a Title VI analysis. However, CapMetro acknowledges that the changes on Route 935 Tech Ridge Express and Route 485 Night Owl Cameron involve a shift from one corridor to another. Equity is consistently considered in the process to ensure we are meeting our community’s needs.
If approved, these changes would start on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with Night Owl adjustments starting on Monday, January 12, 2026. Due to operational flexibility, the minor Pickup zone adjustments would be implemented in advance in October 2025 (which would be after approval by the Board and earlier than the implementation date for the overall January 2026 Service Changes).
DBE/SBE PARTICIPATION: Does not apply.
PROCUREMENT: Does not apply.
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Strategic Planning and Development
RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2025-1590
WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors and CapMetro Management desire to efficiently distribute limited resources to provide reliable service for our customers; and
WHEREAS, matching service with demand improves service to overall customers; and
WHEREAS, CapMetro is committed to ensuring that its transit services, including fares and service planning, do not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin; and
WHEREAS, under CapMetro's Title VI policy, which aligns with Federal Transit Administration Circular 4702.1B, these proposed changes are not considered a Major Service Change, as defined in the policy, and thus do not require a Title VI equity analysis; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors that the President & CEO, or her designee, is authorized to implement the January 2026 Service Changes described in the attached document beginning Sunday, January 11, 2026.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Becki Ross