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CapMetro updates projects and safety: rapid stations, charging, downtown bus bridge and a fatal stop crash
Summary
CapMetro staff briefed the board on progress across multiple capital projects — CapMetro Rapid stations, charging infrastructure, rail work and partnerships with TxDOT — and warned of a projected downtown service disruption requiring a bus bridge (forecast early 2027–early 2029). President Dottie Watkins also reported a fatal crash at a Riverside bus stop that killed a customer; staff rebuilt the stop within about 17 hours.
CapMetro staff gave an extended capital-projects update Nov. 17 that covered the agency’s rapid-transit rollout, electrification work, rail facility improvements and several large partnership projects that will affect downtown service.
Dave Kubicek, executive vice president for capital construction engineering and design, and Ken Carrey, vice president of construction and facilities, summarized ongoing work: 77 CapMetro Rapid stations are in civil construction with 83% of shelters installed and 31 stations powered wholly by rooftop solar; charging infrastructure and pantograph systems are being added at North Ops with solar arrays supporting up to roughly 4 megawatts of power; Saltillo Station will be redeveloped with double-tracking and extended platforms; and partnerships with TxDOT include a 22‑foot diameter drainage tunnel under key rights of way and future rail realignment (“shoe fly”) work tied to the I‑35 projects.
Staff said the overlap of downtown projects will likely require a temporary bus bridge and service disruption for the downtown commuter-rail station, currently forecast in staff plans from early 2027 to early 2029. Board members asked several follow-up questions about temporary station options (including whether a stop near 7th Street could be feasible and promoting transfers at Crestview Station) and requested more detailed options and rider-notification plans as staff refines schedules.
During the president’s report, CEO Dottie Watkins told the board about a recent crash at a Riverside Drive stop at Burton that killed a CapMetro customer waiting for the bus. Watkins described rapid mobilization by public‑facilities crews who cleared debris and rebuilt the older steel shelter and noted that more than 300 daily riders use the stop. She thanked the crews by name for the fast response.
Public commenters raised safety and equity concerns: ATU Local 1091 vice president Daryl Sorrells described assaults and spit‑attacks on operators and urged management to apply contract provisions allowing relief and paid time for assaulted employees; commenters Deb Miller and Sherry Taylor urged improved MetroAccess training, better mapping for wheelchair access and more bus shelters and seating in neighborhoods.
Next steps: staff will return with more detailed plans on the downtown bus-bridge options and continue coordination with Austin Energy, Austin Water Utility and TxDOT; staff said Phase 2 of the demand-response facility and other projects will come back to the board for future approvals.
