Proposed Fare Increase in January 2027 & January 2029
- CapMetro is seeking public feedback on proposed fare increases that would take place January 10, 2027 and January 2029. This would be the first system-wide fare adjustment across all services since 2015.
- The CapMetro Board of Directors will also consider updates to the fare policy. Customers who currently have a Reduced Fare ID Card would continue receiving their benefits under the proposed changes.
- We're collecting community feedback now until CapMetro’s Board votes on the proposal on September 28, 2026.
Background
In September 2026, the CapMetro Board of Directors will decide on a potential fare increase and changes to the reduced fare program. The proposed fare increase would help CapMetro maintain reliable service, support investments in transit vehicles and infrastructure, and create a more sustainable source of revenue to support transit operations.
Even with the proposed changes, CapMetro’s fares would remain among the lowest of comparable transit agencies nationwide.
A Brief History of CapMetro's Fares
1985: Capital Metro launched with a base fare of $0.50.
1990: Fares were temporarily eliminated systemwide to encourage ridership.
1991: Fares returned, with the base fare restored to $0.50 while seniors and riders with disabilities rode free.
2008: The base fare increased to $0.75.
2010: The base fare increased to $1.00.
2011: CapMetro restructured fares, introducing Regional fares and reduced fares for seniors and riders with disabilities.
2013: The CapMetro Board approved a two-phase fare update for 2014 and 2015.
2014: New Premium and Commuter fare categories were introduced, while Local Bus fares remained $1.00.
2015: The Local Bus base fare increased to $1.25, the same as the current fare.
Why Is CapMetro Considering Fare Changes?
Over the past 11 years, CapMetro has expanded and improved transit service throughout Central Texas while keeping fares unchanged.
- Launching Rapid service in east Austin
- Increasing frequency on key routes
- Expanding Pickup service
- Establishing the Transit Police Department
- Modernizing fare payment technology
- Investing in new transit vehicles and infrastructure
These investments have helped improve the customer experience and provide more transportation options for the growing Central Texas region.
Since fares were last increased in 2015, inflation has significantly increased the cost of fuel, equipment, maintenance and transit operations. While CapMetro has worked to absorb many of these costs, rising expenses continue to impact the cost of providing public transportation.
The proposed fare changes would help CapMetro:
- Maintain reliable transit service
- Support existing and future transit vehicles and infrastructure
- Address rising operating costs
- Create a more sustainable source of revenue for transit operations
Proposed Fare Changes
To give customers more time to adjust, CapMetro is proposing a phased approach to implementing fare changes.
If approved, the first increase would happen on January 10, 2027 followed by a second increase in January 2029. This approach would allow riders to gradually adjust to the proposed changes while helping CapMetro address rising operating costs over time.
Due to low utilization, Ticket Vending Machines would be removed from bus stations and transit centers, remaining only at Rail platforms. A Title VI analysis for this change showed no disparate impact or disproportionate burden.
| Fare Type | Fare Cap Time Frame | Current Fare | Proposed Increased Fares | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposed January 10, 2027 | Proposed 2029 | |||
| Local (Bus, Pickup, UT Shuttles) | Single Ride | $1.25 | $1.50 | $2.00 |
| Per Service Day/Calendar Month | $2.50 / $41.25 | $3.00 / $49.50 | $4.00 / $66.00 | |
| Reduced Single Ride | $0.60 | $0.75 | $1.00 | |
| Reduced Per Service Day/Calendar Month | $1.25 / $20.60 | $1.50 / $24.75 | $2 / $33.00 | |
| Commuter (Local, Rail and Express) | Single Ride | $3.50 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| Per Service Day/Calendar Month | $7.00 / $96.25 | $8.00 / $110 | $10.00 / $137.50 | |
| Reduced Single Ride | $1.75 | $2.00 | $2.50 | |
| Reduced Service Day/Calendar Month | $3.50 / $48.10 | $4.00 / $55.00 | $5.00 / $68.75 | |
| Access | Single Ride/Monthly Pass | $1.75 / $46.50 | $2.25 / $60.00 | $3.25 / $87.00 |
Local includes Bus, UT Shuttle, and Pickup. Commuter includes all Local services, Rail and Express.
Pickup trips are subject to fare capping on a daily and monthly basis; Access will continue to be offered as a monthly pass.
Improving Reduced Fare Programs
CapMetro is also proposing updates to Reduced Fare policies designed to simplify eligibility requirements and minimize the impact of fare increases on lower-income customers.
Continued Reduced Fares Benefits
Equifare Update
Expanded enrollment
Share Your Feedback
Community feedback is an important part of the decision-making process. The proposed fare changes are being shared as part of a public engagement process, and no final decision has been made. Feedback gathered from customers, stakeholders and community members will help inform recommendations presented to the CapMetro Board of Directors later this year.
We invite customers and community members to learn more about the proposal and share feedback at one of the following public meetings or to leave us a public comment:
Public Hearing
September 16 at noon
Rosa Parks Boardroom, 2910 E 5th Street
Served by Routes 2, 4, 300, 800 and Pickup East ATX
Remote participation will be available, with timely prior registration, to anyone desiring to speak at this hearing. The public is encouraged to attend. Speakers may sign up by emailing boardofdirectors@capmetro.org, or by calling (512) 369-6040 and leaving a message with name and telephone number. The deadline to sign up to speak remotely is 8 a.m. on September 16, 2026. Instructions on how to participate virtually will be provided via email or phone just after 8 a.m. on the day of the hearing. For in-person participation, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the hearing to sign up to speak.
Public Meetings
Location: Goodwill Career & Technical Academy/Henna Education Center
Thursday, July 30 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Served by Routes 10, 325, and 339.
Location: ACC Northridge
Thursday, August 6 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Served by Routes 325, 466 and Pickup Walnut Creek
Location: ACC Riverside
Tuesday, August 18 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Served by Routes 20, 310, 311 and 350
Location: ACC South Austin
Wednesday, August 19 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Served by Routes 1, 3, 311 and 801
If you need any specific accommodation, please contact us with any request. We can provide various services, including effective communication and language access services, such as Spanish and ASL. To facilitate your requests, kindly contact us at engage@capmetro.org at least 72 hours in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the fare cap work?
The fare cap is automatically calculated in the Umo app and Reloadable Fare Card so that you never pay more than you should. When you've paid for 2 rides in a day, you've met the cap and the rest of your rides are free until the next service day (4 a.m. to 3:59 a.m.). When you've met the daily cap 17 times in a calendar month, the rest of your rides that month are free.
Why do fares need to increase?
CapMetro hasn't raised fares since 2015. With the rising costs for fuel, maintenance and operations, adjusting our fares will help us maintain reliable service for our riders.
Does the fare increase mean service will increase, too?
Your fares have already helped fund real improvements, like Rapid service in east Austin, more frequency, Pickup zones, new vehicles and more. This increase protects those gains and keeps us able to invest in the growing transit network Central Texas depends on.
How does the fare increase support reliability, frequency or safety?
Fare revenue directly supports our current service levels, keeps vehicles in working condition and continues safety investments like our Transit Police, Public Safety Ambassadors and Community Intervention Specialists. Without a fare increase, we'd face difficult trade-offs, like reductions in services or infrastructure investments that would impact our riders negatively.
Why is the agency proposing a fare increase rather than decreasing other budget costs?
We've been shouldering the rising costs of operating our service for years. Fares currently cover only about 4% of what it costs to run the system, which is well below the 13 to 14% industry average. A phased fare increase is a responsible path forward.
Were alternatives to a fare increase fully considered?
Yes. We followed our Board-approved Fare Policy process, reviewed budget options and conducted a Title VI Fare Equity Analysis. After years of shouldering rising operating costs, a phased fare increase was the most responsible option to sustain service long-term.
How will CapMetro use the increase in fare revenues?
Revenue from fare increases goes directly toward operating the transit system, which includes vehicles, fuel, operators and service delivery.
How will you notify riders about these changes?
We're announcing the proposed fare change through printed info on our vehicles and at stations, local news media, social media and public meetings in July and August. If CapMetro’s Board of Directors approves the proposal in September 2026, we’ll update customers using printed info, CapMetro Alerts, news media, social media and our website.
Will youth, students and people with disabilities see changes to their fares?
Seniors, riders with disabilities, Medicare recipients, and eligible military personnel keep their 50% Reduced Fare discount. UT, ACC and City of Austin agreements remain in place. We're also expanding eligibility so more low-income riders and veterans can qualify.
How was the impact to low-income, minority riders considered?
We conducted a formal Title VI Fare Equity Analysis (a federal requirement for public transit agencies receiving federal funds to ensure that changes in fares or major service disruptions do not disproportionately burden minority or low-income populations). We’re gathering community input through public meetings and outreach to local organizations. Those findings will be presented to the CapMetro Board as they consider both the fare proposal and the updates to our reduced-fare programs.