SUBJECT:
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Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or her designee, to implement the August 2026 Service Changes, and accepting the results of the Title VI Analysis.
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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 <https://www.capmetro.org/docs/default-source/plans-and-development-docs/service-standards-and-guidelines-2023-adopted.pdf?sfvrsn=65dd00d1_1>. These changes support action items within ’CapMetros Strategic Plan 2030 <https://www.capmetro.org/docs/default-source/about-capital-metro-docs/strategic-plan-2030.pdf?sfvrsn=fb5be415_11>, such as Action 1.4. Optimize and enhance service by completing and implementing Transit Plan 2035.
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: This item will be presented to the full board on April 20, 2026.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The proposed August 2026 Service Changes focus on strengthening connectivity and better matching service levels to current demand. The recommendations were developed in collaboration with frontline staff, community members, and school and regional partners as part of the Board-approved Transit Plan 2035 <https://www.capmetro.org/transit-plan-2035> and are in partnership with the City of Austin, in its delivery of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant <https://www.austintexas.gov/page/climate-pollution-reduction-grant> (CPRG).
The following is a summary of the proposed service changes for August 2026. Future service changes will include additional components from our Board-approved Transit Plan 2035 <https://www.capmetro.org/transit-plan-2035>.
• Realignment of Route 2 Rosewood/Cesar Chavez (Frequent) - The proposed realignment would close a long-standing gap in service on Springdale Road. By extending farther along Springdale Road, Route 2 Rosewood/Cesar Chavez would offer a more direct and easier-to-use connection linking Eastside Bus Plaza, Downtown, and several East Austin neighborhoods. This proposed change was developed in multiple iterations, initially in collaboration with frontline staff, operators, and community members as part of Transit Plan 2035, and subsequently in partnership with the City of Austin as part of the delivery of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant <https://www.austintexas.gov/page/climate-pollution-reduction-grant> (CPRG).
• Realignment of Route 217 Montopolis Feeder (Local) - During Transit Plan 2035, community members and school partners requested that Route 217 Montopolis Feeder operate on Vargas Road to better serve neighborhood schools and housing. As such, the proposed realignment would shift service from Montopolis Drive to Vargas Road, directly connecting residents to Allison Elementary School, IDEA Montopolis Academy, the Austin Public Library, among others. Route 217 Montopolis Feeder would still maintain service to the Esperanza Crossing Community and key regional connections to the Eastside Bus Plaza and Riverside Drive. Although the route would no longer serve ACC Riverside, the campus will continue to be directly served by Routes 310, 311, and 350.
• Frequency Adjustment on Routes 661 Far West and 670 North Riverside (UT Shuttles) - In coordination with our university partners, CapMetro proposes reducing frequencies on these two UT Shuttle routes from every 8-10-minutes to every 15-20-minutes on weekdays. This adjustment better aligns service levels with long-standing declines in ridership, residential enrollment, and student housing in the Far West and Riverside areas. This change allows for potential savings and resources to improve reliability and service delivery and preserves multiple underlying alternatives for students in these corridors.
• 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 FTA circular 4702.1B, the recommendation for a frequency adjustment on Routes 661 Far West and 670 North Riverside constitute a major service change, as the changes to the routes affect more than 25% of the annual revenue hours or miles. Accordingly, service equity analyses for the proposed changes were completed and showed a Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden for the UT Shuttle frequency changes. While the adjustments on UT Shuttles Route 661 Far West and 670 North Riverside result in a frequency reduction for customers, these routes will still maintain quality and frequent service (every 15-20-minutes on weekdays) and preserve underlying alternative routes. These changes are being proposed in coordination with our university partners due to the reduction in ridership and the declining student population around East Riverside and Far West.
The proposed August 2026 Service Changes process includes a community engagement plan that involves notifying key stakeholders and communities at-large and soliciting input from potentially impacted interests. Once the proposed changes are finalized after board review, we will promote final decisions on service through communications and marketing materials. If approved, these changes would start on Sunday, August 16, 2026. The proposed changes outlined are in accordance with CapMetro’s FY2026 budget.
SBE PARTICIPATION: Does not apply.
PROCUREMENT: Does not apply.
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Strategic Planning and Development
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RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2026-1804
WHEREAS, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“CapMetro”) Board of Directors and CapMetro management desire to implement recommendations within the Board-approved Transit Plan 2035; and
WHEREAS, the proposed service change was developed in collaboration with frontline staff, community members, and school and regional partners as part of the Board-approved Transit Plan 2035 and are in partnership with the City of Austin, in its delivery of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG); and
WHEREAS, the realignments of Route 2 Rosewood/Cesar Chavez and Route 217 Montopolis Feeder would provide East Austin neighborhoods with new transit options, improve transfers, and further strengthen the Eastside Bus Plaza as a key regional hub; and
WHEREAS, the proposed weekday frequency reductions on UT Shuttle Routes 661 Far West and 670 North Riverside would better align service with long-standing declines in demand and shifting student housing patterns, while allowing for improved reliability and service delivery; 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, the recommendation for a frequency adjustment on Routes 661 Far West and 670 North Riverside constitute a Major Service Change, as defined in the policy; and thus requires a Title VI equity analyses; and
WHEREAS, Title VI equity analyses for the proposed changes were completed and showed a Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden for the UT Shuttle frequency changes; however, these routes will still operate frequent 15-20-minute service, maintaining quality and frequent service; and as this change will benefit the network as a whole, CapMetro has a substantial legitimate business case to implement this change; and
WHEREAS, extensive public engagement was conducted and a public hearing was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors that Title VI service equity analyses are approved and the President & CEO, or her designee, is authorized to implement August 2026 Service Changes described in the attached document beginning Sunday, August 16, 2026.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Becki Ross