Austin's soccer fans scored a new way to get to the pitch on Saturday as CapMetro unveiled the McKalla Station, placing them a stone's throw from Q2 Stadium for Austin FC's kickoff match. This major initiative is a slice of Project Connect, which aims to straighten out the city's public transit wrinkles—Austin FC, City of Austin, and CapMetro leaders hammered this point home during the grand opening.
Quite literally in the backyard of the stadium in North Burnet, this transit update drops riders within spitting distance from their cherished team's home games. Austin FC President Andy Loughnane lauded the development, telling KXAN, "We are today in a transformational moment," before extolling the virtues of this charming new community amenity. However, the debut wasn't without its hitches—CapMetro's new service experienced delays, prompting an online mea culpa to fans itching to witness the day's match action.
The new station joins the Red Line's transit tapestry, stretching from Leander right into Downtown's eager hands. Council Member Leslie Pool, in an interview with KVUE, reflected on the broader implications: "Today, we are opening a gateway to one of the most vibrant cultural and economic centers in Austin and in the region, standing on the doorstep of our good partners in Austin FC."
Die-hard Austin FC supporters, such as Victor Juarez, waxed enthusiastic about the shiny new asset. "Now that McKalla [Station] is open, it’s great because you just have to really get out of the station and go to the stadium," Juarez confessed to KVUE.
Austin Transit Partnership Board Chair Veronica Castro de Barrera channeled this emotion, envisioning a future where transit isn't just about getting from point A to B. "We would teach our children then transit is viable, that is fun, that is safe, that is exciting," she told KVUE. "We teach each other how to live in a city that wants to be connected and wants more of it." With four trains geared up for post-match transit, fans can cheer on their team without worrying about the ride home. Today, Austin FC fans bleed verde on and off the field, and with McKalla Station's introduction, their journey to the stands is as smooth as a striker's shot into the back of the net.
