To commemorate Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (CapMetro) milestone of 40 years in service connecting Central Texans via accessible public transportation, the City of Austin, Travis County, and the State of Texas have all issued proclamations marking July 1 as “CapMetro Day.” 

Founded in 1985, CapMetro started as a small, local service and has grown into a regionwide network supporting more than 70,000 weekday trips across buses, rail, vanpools, and microtransit services. 

“For 40 years, CapMetro has helped build a more connected and inclusive Central Texas,” said CapMetro President/CEO Dottie Watkins. “Our mission remains focused on increasing mobility, providing equitable access, and delivering high-quality transit that keeps pace with the region’s growth. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and excited about the future opportunities for our community.” 

CapMetro was established in January 1985 after Austin voters approved the initiative. The agency launched services with local, express, and paratransit routes late that year. In its first decade, the agency introduced the UT Shuttle service, 100 new buses, and a vanpool program while becoming 100% wheelchair accessible. 

In the last three decades, CapMetro has added commuter rail between Leander and Downtown Austin, launched Central Texas’ first bus rapid transit lines, and introduced neighborhood circulators called Pickup. 

Shaping the Future with Project Connect and Transit Plan 2035 

CapMetro continues looking to the future through two initiatives, Transit Plan 2035 and Project Connect, which include operating the future new light rail lines, adding expanded bus rapid transit lines, and improving commuter rail. 

As part of Project Connect, the agency has already delivered a new commuter rail station to Q2 Stadium, made infrastructure improvements to parts of the Red Line to improve service reliability, and introduced two new Rapid lines, Routes 800 and 837, bringing more service to East Austin. 

Transit Plan 2035 outlines a blueprint for the future of public transportation in Central Texas. The final plan will outline strategies for an upgraded transit network to best meet the community’s needs over the next five to ten years.

CapMetro staff will propose options to the community this Fall before the finalized plan reaches the board for approval by the end of 2025.

“Our 40th anniversary is more than a celebration of the past,” Watkins said. “It’s a chance to reaffirm our promise to the people of Central Texas that we will keep delivering smarter, greener, and more accessible ways to get where you need to go.”

To explore CapMetro’s 40-year history, visit https://www.capmetro.org/about/40years.