CapMetro outlines June 2026 service changes; resident urges restored service and safety fixes in Northeast Austin

CapMetro staff presented a package of proposed June 2026 service changes on March 11 designed to implement elements of Transit Plan 2035 and Project Connect, including route realignments to serve new park‑and‑ride facilities and higher frequencies on Rapid 8‑37.

At a public hearing in the Rosa Parks Boardroom, Jordan McGee of CapMetro’s planning department said the package would bring Rapid 8‑37 to its full 10‑minute peak frequency once park‑and‑ride construction and spring testing are complete, expand access boundaries where routes extend into park‑and‑rides, and realign nearby fixed routes to improve transfers and coverage. “This service change will be the first implementation step of Transit Plan 2035,” McGee said, framing the June changes as an early phase of longer‑term regional improvements.

McGee laid out specific proposals: Route 318 would extend to Community First and provide a 30‑minute direct trip to downtown (up from hourly service); Route 339 would shorten to terminate at Springdale Shopping Center and combine with Route 323 to create a 30‑minute cross‑town connection; Route 233 would operate only east of Johnny Morris Road as a clockwise neighborhood circulator with increased frequency; and Route 20 (Manor Road/Riverside) would be split at the University of Texas, with the northern portion becoming a new local Route 320 while the southern portion retains high frequency service to the airport. McGee also said Route 5 would reverse through Techno Center rather than transition into another route.

Staff characterized the package as a "major service change," noting it increases more than 25% of the miles and hours for Rapid 8‑37 and includes frequency and alignment changes to adjacent routes. CapMetro said it performed a Title VI equity analysis using census data and found no disparate or disproportionate impacts on minority or low‑income populations. McGee said outreach for the proposals included in‑person and virtual meetings, block walking and other engagement, and that community sentiment has been generally positive about increased frequency and connectivity.

Board members had a brief procedural question about timing; McGee confirmed the new Rapid 8‑37 frequency would launch as part of the June 2026 service‑change package.

During the public‑comment period, Zenobia Joseph urged the board to restore and expand service in areas northeast of U.S. 183 and north of North Lamar, and she raised multiple safety and accessibility concerns. Joseph said the service area “does not stop on Loyola Lane and Decker Lane,” added that “people die on North Lamar,” and asked the board to “restore the service, specifically 392” and to restore a one‑seat ride to the Arboretum on Sundays. She also highlighted ADA access problems at stops on North Lamar and recounted what she described as a sanitation incident on a bus where the driver was instructed to continue operating the route.

Joseph raised operational and equity complaints about how some services were rebranded and argued that Northeast Austin has been neglected by recent changes. She referenced past planning studies and interactions with city staff and asked the board to address pedestrian safety near stops and improve Sunday and direct service in the corridor.

The board thanked Joseph for her comments; no board questions or responses were recorded following her remarks. The public hearing concluded with no vote; the board will consider public input as staff finalizes recommendations ahead of future board action. The hearing was adjourned at 12:17 p.m.