New updates for Austin’s Light Rail are coming soon! Learn more about our upcoming open house on March 21 and what’s next for Project Connect: Learn more
Artist's rendering of multiple public transit modes for Project Connect - including Park and rides

Partners

CapMetro

CapMetro is Austin’s regional public transportation authority. Starting in 1985, CapMetro works every day to give residents, commuters and visitors the best possible transit options available. Working with thousands of community members, industry and city leaders and experts, CapMetro developed the vision for Project Connect. 

As different transit components of Project Connect are fully designed and built—such as new Pickup Zones, Rail lines and MetroRapid routes—CapMetro will take over responsibility for daily operations and rider communications of these services.  

Austin Transit Partnership 

CapMetro and the City of Austin have formed the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), an independent local government corporation with the authority and resources to design, construct and implement the Project Connect program. Operating with full transparency and accountability for the community and oversight from the CapMetro board and Austin City Council. The ATP board is appointed by members of the CapMetro board and city council.

City of Austin 

The City of Austin works daily to serve the needs of its residents and to consistently improve the quality of life in Austin while meeting the demands of a changing and growing community. The Austin City Council approved the Project Connect transit plan and ordered an election to authorize and fund the initial investment of $7.1 billion. The City of Austin will work closely with CapMetro and the ATP to ensure the plan is built and implemented with full transparency. 

The City of Austin is also working to create an Equity Tool for Project Connect to direct the use of $300 million in anti-displacement funding to programs and projects that will strengthen neighborhoods and will focus to help benefit people most at risk and prevent displacement of those living close to transit lines. 

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides grants, financial and technical assistance to local public transit systems, including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, trolleys and ferries. 

Over the past two years, CapMetro has continued to strengthen their relationship with the FTA. With the approval of local funding, CapMetro and ATP are ready to advance the Program together through the New Starts and Small Starts processes, including NEPA, Project Development, Engineering and beyond.

  • New Starts NEPA Process – Letter of intent to prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the Orange and Blue Lines published in the Federal Register on May 24 following FTA determination that the Project is sufficiently developed to allow for meaningful public comment and requires and EIS. 
  • Small Starts – The Expo and Pleasant Valley MetroRapid lines were listed as recommended projects in the President’s 2022 budget released on May 28. These lines have also completed FTA environmental clearance, and work is progressing on FTA Small Starts Readiness documents.