CapMetro and Community Leaders Celebrate Rapid 800 and 837 Launch
The opening of two new Park & Rides and increased service frequency represents a major Project Connect milestone
Austin, TX — Today, CapMetro joined leaders from the City of Austin, Austin Transit Partnership, Travis County, as well as other federal and state representatives to celebrate the full vision launch of the new Rapid 800 and 837 lines and the opening of the Expo Center and Goodnight Ranch Park & Rides. This milestone marks the eighth completed CapMetro project delivered through the Project Connect program, a voter-approved investment to transform public transportation across Central Texas.
“These projects entered the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants pipeline during the first Trump Administration, reflecting an early recognition of their transformative potential. Today, it is exciting to see that vision becoming reality as these projects begin serving the residents and families they were designed to connect,” said Melissa Newton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation. “Looking ahead, the Department remains committed to partnering with states, cities, and local leaders across the country to modernize transportation infrastructure, strengthen connectivity, and expand access to opportunity—always with safety and service to the American people at the center of our work.”
“The Rapid service expansion and new Park & Ride facilities represent an important investment in Central Texas mobility and long-term connectivity,” said Jeffrey W. Travillion, Travis County Commissioner and CapMetro Board Chair. “This service expansion strengthens transportation access for growing communities throughout eastern Travis County, while providing a critical connection for commuters traveling from Manor.”
“Project Connect is not just about future transit investment,” said Veronica Castro de Barrera, Austin Transit Partnership Board Chair. “It’s about delivering meaningful, safe and reliable transit improvements for riders today. Project Connect has always been envisioned as a comprehensive transit expansion and today is a reminder that the program is delivering real results that should be celebrated and our partnerships and momentum are strong.”
The new service enhancements and Park & Rides officially opened to the public as part of CapMetro’s June 2026 Service Change, bringing significant transit improvements to East Austin and surrounding communities. While Rapid 800 and 837 were initially introduced in February 2025, the full vision for the service now includes increased frequency every 10-15 minutes during peak hours, upgraded stations with enhanced customer amenities and two new Park & Rides. The Expo Center and Goodnight Ranch Park & Rides, located in Eastern Travis County and Southeast Austin, respectively, serve as key transit hubs and include end-of-line charging infrastructure to support the agency’s electric bus fleet.
The Expo Center Park & Ride, located on Rapid 837 with 159 parking spaces, and Goodnight Ranch Park & Ride, located on Rapid 800 with 64 parking spaces, both provide convenient access to fast, frequent transit for local and regional commuters.
As part of the June Service Change, the Expo Center Park & Ride also serves existing routes 337, 18, 233, and Pickup Decker, while the Goodnight Ranch Park & Ride also serves existing routes 318 and 333.
Rapid 800 and 837 also include 79 new stations with upgraded rider amenities, including improved stations with a lower roof and perforated panels to help protect against weather elements, digital signage to provide real-time updates and security cameras and lighting.
“With the opening of the Expo Center and Goodnight Ranch Park & Rides along with the expanded Rapid service, we’re continuing to deliver the kind of frequent, reliable transportation our region needs,” said Dottie Watkins, President and CEO of CapMetro. “These enhancements make it easier for more people to connect to jobs, education, healthcare and opportunities throughout East Austin, while supporting a more sustainable future.”
“From the beginning, Project Connect’s goal has been to expand and strengthen a transportation system that serves the needs of Austin today while positioning our community for continued growth and success in the decades ahead,” said Liane Conte, interim Mobility Officer for Austin Project Connect. “The need for these investments is clear, and this celebration of the new Rapid lines demonstrates the progress we’re making with delivering meaningful benefits today.
Today’s event featured remarks from U.S. Department of Transportation’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs Melissa Newton, Texas State Representative Lulu Flores, Travis County Commissioner and CapMetro Board Chair Jeffrey Travillion, Travis County Commissioner George Morales, Austin Transit Partnership Board Chair Veronica Castro de Barrera, CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins, and interim Mobility Officer for Austin Project Connect Liane Conte.
For some of their remarks and photos of the event, please go to this link.
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ABOUT CAPMETRO
CapMetro connects people, jobs, and communities by providing Central Texans with safe, high-quality, and sustainable transportation alternatives. The agency provides over 83,000 daily trips on its buses, trains, paratransit, and vanpool vehicles and serves a population of more than 1.2 million in its 543-square-mile service area. The region’s transportation leader, CapMetro has invested in transit services like its High-Frequency Network, which moves more people, more reliably. CapMetro is committed to increasing regional mobility and, through Project Connect, will transform how people travel throughout Central Texas. Visit capmetro.org for more information.