East Austin is positioned to receive a boost in its public transportation options as the Project Connect transit plan prepares to introduce new MetroRapid lines in 2025. Spanning multi-billion dollars, the plan is a strategic effort to enhance connectivity within the city. Bus services for two lines, originating from Colony Park and running through Mueller towards downtown, along with another extending from Mueller down Pleasant Valley all the way to Dove Springs, are expected to increase access to various East Austin destinations and, in the future, the airport.
According to a statement obtained by FOX 7 Austin, Executive Director of Transit Forward Bill McCamley noted, "cap metros performance dashboard, they actually measure ridership. These are two of the three highest ridership lines that CapMetro has right now, people really like them." He emphasized the efficiency of the services, which have been tailored to suit the commuting patterns of the populace. The 801 and 802 lines have already been serving Central Austin for nearly a decade, supporting the transport needs of UT Austin students among others.
Back in 2020, the campaign for such expansions saw a milestone with Austin voters giving the nod to Proposition A, facilitating the nearly $7.1 billion Project Connect Transit Plan. Despite some pushback, mainly targeting the light rail aspects of the project, the MetroRapid lines are moving forward as a component of the project. McCamley further underscored the impact of the potential cessation of Project Connect, asserting, "if you do that, then you not only get rid of that, you are getting rid of these new bus lines, you are getting rid of improvements to the Red Lines...," in a FOX 7 Austin interview.
Complementary to the MetroRapid lines, CapMetro is also launching a new Pickup service on January 13, 2025, providing increased coverage in northeast Austin. As reported by KXAN, the Decker Pickup service will operate in partnership with Travis County and is slated to run on weekdays and Saturdays, connecting local schools, shopping centers, and recreational sites. Furthermore, the initial phase for the two new MetroRapid routes is expected in spring 2025, with ambitions for 10-15 minute frequencies by 2026, as per documents presented to the Austin Urban Transportation Commission. Battery electric buses will be strategically utilized to advance the shift towards zero-emission public transportation.
Project Connect, bolstered by a $65.6 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration's Small Starts Program, aims to alleviate vehicular traffic and foster sustainable transportation options within Austin. The MetroRapid systems, complete with bus-only lanes and larger bus stops resembling train stations, as McCamley told FOX 7 Austin, promise to serve as a rapid transit solution. As the expansion efforts progress, Austin residents can anticipate an evolution in their city's transit infrastructure come March 2025.
